My Mom is a kind and understanding person. She is generous to a fault. Loving and forgiving. But of she and the volunteer ladies with whom she serves in various women's organizations one thing can be said: They will forgive poor etiquette, but they will not pay for it a second time. So, when the coffee buffet was assembled at a luncheon and the milk placed on the table by the catering staff still in the milk carton, the ax fell graciously but effectively.
Look, I don't care who you are, how much you do or do not have, where you have or have not been, what you do or do not know: Never put cardboard down in front of a guest. Decant the milk into the cat's bowl for all I care but do not put a carton or a bag of sugar down in front of a guest. Come on.
At a service level, things like this numb the mind just a little, no?
13 comments:
And when having weekend guests to stay, decant the orange juice at breakfast into a pretty glass pitcher, and the coffee into a pot. It's all in the details. That's what makes it memorable...
I worked wait staff for years, never have I seen that.
Most likely the deed of a young staffer. But it goes to show how so many young people have no idea what a proper table should look like, because most of thier meals are consumed in the back of a mini van.
Too bad.
Same for ketchup bottles and mustard jars. they should never make an appearance at part of a service,no matter how informal.
I once saw an television show about the Shah of Iran from the 1970's. It featured the family dinner at it's most splendiferous (ok, it's a made up word but I do like it.) The table was set with the most amazing silver, china and crystal service, the family was dressed to the nines and the room was gilded boiserie. There on the table sat a Heinz 57 ketchup bottle on a silver tray. What a poke in the eye!
The same goes for ketchup bottles and mustard jars. they should never make an appearance as part of a service, no matter how informal.
I once saw an television show about the Shah of Iran from the 1970's. It featured the family dinner at it's most splendiferous (ok, it's a made up word but I do like it.) The table was laid with the most amazing silver, china and crystal service, the enitre family was dressed to the nines and the room was gilded boiserie. There on the table sat a Heinz 57 ketchup bottle on a silver tray. What a poke in the eye!
Seriously? A Caterer?! did that? As in, someone who attempts to make thier living doing this? Not a volunteer organization or junior high club or something?
Hah! I will print this post out for my favorite Aunt, who always says, even at family functions, "Get those BOHT-uhls off the table!" (Soda bottles.) She gasped in horror when they served soda in bottles on the table at an event at the Waldorf-Astoria. We actually took pictures of the bottles on the table. Said Aunt will also never (NEVER) drink soda or water out of a can or bottle. Can't wait to show her this. Thanks.
Oh, my. Not good at all!
Boggles the mind. My personal, and quite similar, pet peeve is when a friend (she is a repeat offender) hosting a fairly informal sit-down dinner gathering routinely places several prepared salad dressings in their original jars or bottles directly on the table. I mean, really, how hard is it to put them in small serving bowls? Better yet, don't give your guests this option, just make a selection that complements the salad components and dress the salad in advance (just prior to serving). If there is an allergy or aversion issue, reserve a bit of undressed salad and provide oil and vinegar - in cruets.
You speak the truth sista!
Wow almost unbelievable, I mean who does not have a sugar bowl and creamer even if we don't use it all of the time!!
Karena
Art by Karena
At my birthday party on Saturday I had a similarly disappointing experience with the caterer and as a result he will never get other business from me. It is so stupid, allowing small but very telling details to destroy a good relationship.
My twins love milk. When the jug of milk appears on the table, I tell them it is like that annoying sound of chalk screeching down the board to me. They swiftly get my drift. Perhaps all the caterer needed before the swift axe fell was a gentle, yet blunt education.
Oh my, the carton of milk on the table! We have a few different vessels for serving milk on the table. I'm partial to our cow that pours out of it's mouth! Not the best for "formal" affairs, but fun for Sunday brunch. I second Reggie and others about everything else on the table. You are not advertising for Heinz or any other condiment company! No labels on the table is a safe way
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