Mess etiquette

and customs

OFFICER’s MESS

SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT ENSURES DECORUM & GOOD ORDER ARE PRESERVED.

A JUNIOR SHOULD ENSURE THAT AT NO TIME HE IGNORES THE PRESENCE OF A SENIOR.

OFFICER’s MESS

LIKE THE DRAWING ROOM OF A HOME

YOU ARE ON DISPLAY

TO SECURE COMFORT AND ECONOMY

EVERY OFFICER IS CORRECTLY DRESSED

GENERAL TIPS ON MESS ETIQUETTES

INFORMALITY IN THE MESS IS TO BE MAINTAINED WITHIN LIMITS OF SERVICE DECORUM

OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO RISE WHEN A SENIOR OFFICER OR ANY OFFICER OF CORRESPONDING RANK OR A LADY ENTERS THE ANTEROOM

ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO MAKE VISITORS FEEL AT HOME

PETS ARE FORBIDDEN FROM ENTERING THE MESS

Contd/---

GENERAL TIPS ONMESS ETIQUETTES

CONVERSATION IS CONDUCTED IN PLEASANT TONES

CONTROVERSIAL / FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS SUCH AS RELIGION, POLITICS, WOMEN AND HABITS OF SENIOR OFFICERS ARE NEVER DISCUSSED

OFFICERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT FOR A MEAL SHOULD WARN OUT IN GOOD TIME TO AVOID WASTAGE OF FOOD

ENSURE STRICT ADHERENCE TO MEAL TIMINGS

Contd/---

GENERAL TIPS ONMESS ETIQUETTES

WHILE ENTERTAINING LADIES, CHILDREN AND GUESTS IN MESS, ENSURE NO INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO MEMBERS

STEWARDS AND COOKS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH COURTESY

MESS PROPERTY

NOISY BEHAVIOUR, CLINKING OF GLASSES, TALKING IN DIALECTS NOT COMMON TO ALL MEMBERS IS IN BAD TASTE

TABLE MANNERS

EVERYDAY TABLE MANNERS

WHY?• DUE CONSIDERATION IS SHOWN TO OTHERS

WHO ARE DINING

• DONT DO THINGS AT THE DINING TABLE, WHICH DISGUSTS, EMBARRASSES OR CAUSES INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS SITTING AT THE TABLE

Contd/---

TABLE MANNERS

CORRECT TABLE MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE ARE TO BE IMMACULATELY FOLLOWED

COMMENCE EATING ONLY AFTER EVERYONE HAS BEEN SERVED

BAD MANNERS AT THE TABLE

• TO SMOKE

• READ/WRITE

• USE INDECENT LANGUAGE

• LAUGH UPROARIOUSLY

• DISCUSS OR PLACE BETS

• DISCUSS POLITICAL OR CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

INFORMAL TABLE SETTING

HANDLING UTENSILS

HOLD YOUR FORK IN YOUR LEFT HAND, TINES DOWNWARD

HOLD YOUR KNIFE IN YOUR RIGHT HAND, AN INCH OR TWO ABOVE THE PLATE. EXTEND YOUR INDEX FINGER ALONG THE TOP OF THE BLADE

Contd/---

HANDLING UTENSILS

Contd/---

I HAVE FINISHED EATING I AM TAKING A BREAK, BUTSTILL EATING

DRINKING TOASTS

TO LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, HEALTH,

WEALTH, AND HAPPINESS

TOAST TO THE PRESIDENT IS

DRUNK STANDING

TOASTS FOR ALL OTHERS ARE

DRUNK SEATED

EVERYDAY TABLE MANNERS

GENERAL GUIDELINES

TAKING YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE

NAPKINS

POSTURE

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• KNIFE

• FORK

Contd/---

GENERAL GUIDELINES

REACHING OUT AT THE TABLE

FOREIGN OBJECT IN FOOD

USE OF TOOTHPICKS

Contd/---

GENERAL GUIDELINES

FINGER BOWLS

COMMENTING ON FOOD

Contd/---

GENERAL GUIDELINES

A USED PIECE OF CUTLERY IS NEVER PUT INTO ANY FOOD THAT IS MEANT FOR EVERYONE

EATING FOOD• DRINKING LIQUIDS• LEAVING FOOD ON PLATE