Dining Etiquette Something to Eat (With That)

Over the Counter Etiquette
by Harold Almon baesoe.com

In the United States of America, people are use to being offered/provided something to eat within seven minutes of arrival at an event. This is true even when all that is offered is piece of cake or signature candy, and even if they have to pay for it. Be prepared to serve food at no cost in your environment.

Establish a serving space. You can get china salad plates, glasses and napkins, and a table or desk on which to place them. You may get a ceramic, glass, or a silver platter, or O.K. you could serve from a plate.

Become the consummate tray maker. A hospitality refrigerator can be established to contain adult snacks sliced cheese, and roast beef, pastrami, or salami, and classic or organic mustard served as a dip.

A drawer may contain a signature cracker and that platter from which you could serve those who would drop by for a drink, and who decide, “Yes, I would like something to eat (with that.)”

Select a signature cracker, cheese, meat, and mustard. Make a tray. When men are to attend, you can add a pepper to it. For each guest you may provide a salad plate, a glass, and a napkin.

You may get a separate tray or plate and place upon it your favorite dessert. You could learn how to prepare one or learn where to order one or two from that people will remember fondly.

Next to each dessert you can add cookies bought during a fund raiser such as chocolate cookies with pink M & Ms in them made and purchased in support of the cure for breast cancer (Thanks Melissa.)

You may add a few chocolate covered mint cookies, or chocolate stripped coconut cookies, acquired in support of a Scout (or as part of Giving Back.)

You might elect to become the candy baron the second most important person in a home or in industry. This person ensures candy is always on a tabletop or desk and ready to be given away freely.

What I rarely tell anyone is the ranking of a person called the medicine baron. Sometimes a cough drop, aspirin, or ibuprofen trumps candy.

Now you can think about getting metal knives, forks, and maybe more glasses and larger ceramic plates. A service of sixteen place settings allows for a dinner service for eight.