Tea at Trianon: Buffet Etiquette

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Buffet Etiquette

From Southern Lady:

There are three options for a buffet. One is the standing buffet. Guests serve themselves and simply stand to eat. However, chairs should always be provided for elderly people.

The traditional buffet calls for guests to be served from the main table; then they move to other rooms to find places to sit. Each guest should have access to a table—or a portion of one—on which to place their drink and plate. It is also quite acceptable to sit on the floor if the occasion is casual. A thoughtful hostess provides small folding tables for guests—it makes them more comfortable and helps avoid accidental spills.

At a seated buffet, guests serve themselves from the buffet table and then sit at the dining-room table or at small tables that have been placed throughout the house. In this case, the hostess should ask guests to find their places first and then to be served by tables. This allows people to eat together while their food is still warm. (Read more.)

Gette said...: It would be nice to see some articles such as this one stressing etiquette from a Catholic p.o.v. Elena, you might consider writing such a book, or articles! In such a work, for example, I would expect to see it include suggestions for warm and welcoming respect given to the priest guest and elderly in casual gatherings as well as formal ones. For instance, the priest should be invited first to serve himself, after he has said grace over the lovely meal. This might be done nonchalantly by the host or hostess casually handing the priest a plate and inviting him to serve himself. Also, as Catholic gatherings often comprise of all generations together, the elderly guests should be seated and served first by the hostess or some helpful guests. The option of seating children separately might be discussed, and when it is best to serve the youngsters. (Those of us who have had children might say, "the sooner the better!")

That's my two cents worth...I often stay much longer at my computer when I am avoiding housework!!

Happy All Hallow's Eve and a most holy All Saints and All Souls day to you and your dear ones!; October 31, 2015 at 4:50:00 PM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Happy Feast to you, Gette! Great idea!! There is such a book called The Correct Thing and it was written by a Catholic lady about 100 years ago but most of it still applies!; October 31, 2015 at 4:55:00 PM EDT