The No-No to Know: Keep Passing!
This isn’t earth-shattering, but I have witnessed this more often than I can count on my hands!
Have you ever attended a dinner party, a large charity function, or a wedding where an item is being passed from guest to guest- perhaps a basket of warm biscuits, savory gravy, or a tray of chocolates- and suddenly, the momentum stops? It usually happens when a guest responds, “Oh, no thank you, I don’t care for any,” and neglects to pass the dish along to the next person.
What they may not realize is that while they are satisfied, the rest of the table is likely waiting! Remember that even if you don’t partake, always keep the dish moving until it has reached everyone.
The Graceful Flow: Which Way to Pass?
To keep the table from becoming a “traffic jam” of platters, old-school etiquette dictates a counter-clockwise flow. Here is how to handle the “Table Transitions” with ease:
• The “Left-Right” Opening: If you are the one closest to the bread or butter, it is your cue to start the pass. First, offer the dish to the guest on your left. Then, take your own portion, and finally, pass the dish to the guest on your right. From there, it continues to the right all the way around the table.
• The Inseparable Pair: Salt and pepper are always passed together, even if a guest only asks for one. Think of them as a devoted married couple- they must never be separated! Unlike the bread basket, however, these only need to travel when someone makes a request.
• A Gracious Gesture: It is always thoughtful to offer to hold the dish for the person next to you while they serve themselves. It’s a small, elegant gesture that makes the entire table feel cared for.
Keep those baskets moving, and the conversation flowing!
Xx,
Holly
PS: Please be a dear and share this with someone you love!
PPS: I have a new series on my Instagram each Friday featuring more “Secret No-No’s.”These are the special tips that aren’t necessarily in etiquette books, but were passed down by word of mouth. They are long-held secrets like the ones Mummy whispered to me.