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Module 4: Learning Table Manners and Table Settings

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Module 4: Learning Table Manners and Table Settings MODULE 4: LEARNING TABLE MANNERS AND TABLE SETTINGS 4.1 Table-seating arrangements 4.2 Table settings 4.3 Table manners EVENT PLANNER 4.1. Table-seating arrangements Seating arrangements at official dinners and luncheons When organising a very formal event and entertaining dignitaries—such as government, military officials,or foreign diplomats—the host or hostess of an official luncheon or dinner seats the guests according to rank. Tradition- ally, the host and hostess sit at the head and foot of the table, respectively. When they are friends with a number of the guests, they may choose in- stead to sit opposite each other in the middle of the table, where it will be easier for them to converse with more people. When both women and men are attending the event, seating works as fol- lows: • The highest-ranked male guest sits to the right of the hostess. • The man next in rank sits to the left of the hostess. • The wife of the highest-ranking man sits to the left of the host. (If the man is unmarried, the highest-ranking woman takes this seat.) • Spouses in attendance who don’t hold an official position are seated ac- cording to the rank of their husbands or wives. • Guests who have no protocol ranking are seated according to the unspo-ken rank the host assigns to them. The host ranks guests as he chooses, basing his decision on age, social prominence, personal accomplish-ments, and mutual interests shared by seatmates. Proficiency in a foreign language also comes into play when foreigners are among the guests. Seating arrangements for informal dining When planning and organising informal gatherings, you might want to put people next to those they know, or you might want to split them up a little so that they can meet new people. There are many choices, and probably the 77 best advice is to use your common sense. Here some tips that can be helpful: • People are more likely to get on well if they are similar ages or have simi-lar interests. It might not be a good idea to put the “alternative lifestyle” guest with the tattoos and piercings next to that 85-year-old lady. • Avoid mixing age groups too much. Young children should be seated with their parents. Older children can be seated with their parents or at a table together. • Generally, you should try to put families together. Put work colleagues to- gether, too. But if you know people don’t get on, try to seat them at sepa-rate tables. It is worth breaking with tradition to have a stress-free event. • Try to create balanced tables, with even numbers of males and females. In some cultures, it is traditional for guests to alternate: male, female, male, female. Some business dinners are seated male, male, female, fe- male for variety. • If a group of people know each other well, you could try splitting up mar-ried couples for extra variety. • Try to avoid putting guests at the same table as expartners, unless you are sure this is OK. Remember that every room has four corners! • Resist the temptation to have a “leftovers” table of all the people who don’t fit at the others. It is probably better to distribute such guests evenly. Table size, shape, and layout. Recommended space per guest You might want all the tables to be same size and shape, or you prefer to vary them. Find out what table sizes and shapes are available.The figures below give a rough idea of the venue size required for a given number of guests and the type of seating. Note that this doesn’t allow for dance floors and 78 EVENT PLANNER other unused space. Example: a 10 metre by 10 metre room has an area of 100 metres squared and will hold an approximate maximum of 200 standing guests, 140 guests seated at rectangular tables, 100 guests seated at circular tables, and 176 guests seated in rows. The spacing of circular tables A good number of seats for a circular table is 10. If you have more than this, not all the guests at a table will be able to see each other or converse. If you have less than this, you may have problems fitting all the tables into the venue. The figures below givesan idea of the number of guests that can be placed at a circular table: 79 Recommended circular table seating capacities based on 1.9 ft and 1.6 ftof circumference per guest for ideal and maximum respectively; guests in wheelchairs may need additional space. Recommended minimum table spacing Make sure the tables are placed so that the serving staff has easy access. Don’t place a table blocking a door, especially a fire escape. If you have a large venue for the number of guests, you may want to put all the tables in one corner to avoid the venue feeling empty.The figures below give you an idea of the number of guests you can at a rectangular table: Assigning seats If there will be speeches or announcements, try to place the speakers sothat they won’t have their back to anyone. Place pregnant, elderly, and disabled guests, as well as those with small children,in a location where they have easy access to toilets and other facilities. Don’t seat them at tables that will be removed to make space after the meal.Older guests will generally have poorer hearing and eyesight, so try to put them where they can see and hear any speeches. Don’t seat them next to loud music, as they are unlikely to appreciate it. Put children’s tables in the least favourable locations, they have better hearing and won’t be too interested in the speeches anyway. 80 EVENT PLANNER Assigning seats or tables Guests can be assigned to a table, where they can choose any seat, or they may be assigned to a specific seat. It seems that assigning tables is probably more common in the USA, and assigning seats is more common in Europe. Both approaches are valid. Which you choose is a matter of personal pref- erence. Seating charts, escort cards, table numbers, and place cards Guests will need to know at which table they are seated, so that they don’t have to walk around every table to find their place. This is usually achieved by displaying escort cards or a seating chart at the entrance to the venue. Table number cards are placed on tables to display the number or name of the table. If you have a large number of tables, you might also want to display a floor plan to show where the tables are. Place cards are placed at each setting to ensure that guests sit in the correct seats.If you have assigned guests to tables, you will need: • seating chart + table number cards; or • escort cards + table number cards 81 If you have assigned guests to seats, you will need: • seating chart + table number cards + place cards; or • escort cards + table number cards + place cards These can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. More important is that you have a good table plan that seats the right people together. Seating chart A seating chart shows each guest at which table he or she is seated. Whether you prefer a seating chart or escort cards is a matter of personal preference. Seating charts are easier to display and can also be signed by your guests and framed to make a nice memento of the occasion.The seating chart may either list guests by table, or alphabetically by name. Listing by guestname is more common in the USA and makes it a little easier to find your table, especially at large events. Listing by table is more common in the UK, and shows who else is at the same table. A seating chart listing guests by table 82 EVENT PLANNER A seating chart listing guests y name Escort cards Escort card show the number or name of the table at which a guest is seated. They are usually put inside a small envelope with the guest’s name written on the outside. You can also use a blank business card and write the name on one side and the table number on the other. Escort cards can be changed at the last minute, whereas a seating chart may need to be printed days or weeks in advance.Escort cards are normally placed on a table, in alphabetical order, at the entrance to the venue. Table number cards Table number cards are placed on tables to display the name or number of that table. They should be large enough to read without having to walk right up to the table.The cards are usually large tent-fold cards, or flat cards in a holder. Make sure they aren’t so tall that they prevent guests seeing each other over the table. Table name cards If you are feeling creative, you can give tables names instead of numbers. Numbered tables are less work and easier to find if they are laid out logically. Named tables can add a bit more atmosphere. 83 Place cards Place cards are placed at each place setting to ensure that guests sit in their designated seats. They are only required if you have assigned guests to seats (rather than tables). If you are using tent- fold cards, print the guest’s name on both sides, so that other guests on the table can read it.The names should usually be in the format “Mr.
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