Setting a tea table

[Stiles/Akin]

 

[Cavalry Charger]

'Show our good taste, courtesy and friendliness'

I found this really interesting @Stiles/Akin . There is an 'art' to entertaining. And it's a way to show people you care by the amount of effort you put in. At the same time you don't want it to be so stressful that you can't enjoy yourself!

My only issue would be I am left handed, so that tea/coffee pot is going to need to be placed in reverse for me

 

[Zella]

@Stiles/Akin Thanks for sharing! Very interesting!

My only issue would be I am left handed, so that tea/coffee pot is going to need to be placed in reverse for me

Me too! I had a devil of a time trying to learn how to use chopsticks for that reason. . . .

 

[Cavalry Charger]

@Stiles/Akin Thanks for sharing! Very interesting!


Me too! I had a devil of a time trying to learn how to use chopsticks for that reason. . . .

Trying to get a right hander to teach a left hander anything is really difficult, but chopsticks were a little less complex for me. Though, I have seen a video demonstration of how to eat soup with chopsticks and that one's definitely beyond me!

Most left handers are ambidextrous, and so I've learnt to exist in a right handers world in most respects.

Main things are writing with my left hand, and automatically picking things up with the left, but the mouse of my computer lives on the right and I don't think that will change.

I also kick with my left foot, and hold a tennis racquet in my left hand.

As only 10% of the population, (which I only found out recently), we're pretty unique

 

[donna]

Thanks for posting. There is an art to entertaining. I always found that my Aunt could really set a beautiful table. She showed such taste with the china, silverware, other pieces and her flower arrangements. Her food was always delicious.

She did have tea parties a lot. They were just perfect.

I really miss them.

 

[donna]

Could this be moved to the Food Forum? It would be so appropriate with the other Tea Threads.

 

[Zella]

Trying to get a right hander to teach a left hander anything is really difficult, but chopsticks were a little less complex for me. Though, I have seen a video demonstration of how to eat soup with chopsticks and that one's definitely beyond me!

I literally couldn't figure chopsticks out until I was able to see someone left-handed use them. I was actually watching a movie when I finally saw it demonstrated and was like, "Hey that makes sense! I can actually do that!"

As only 10% of the population, (which I only found out recently), we're pretty unique

And the only ones in our right mind!

 

[Zella]

Thanks for posting. There is an art to entertaining. I always found that my Aunt could really set a beautiful table. She showed such taste with the china, silverware, other pieces and her flower arrangements. Her food was always delicious.

She did have tea parties a lot. They were just perfect.

I really miss them.

It really does seem to be a lost art, sadly. I have relatives who are marvelous at entertaining, and I always enjoyed their dinners.

I really enjoy hanging out with my friends, but I don't think I've ever been to a sit-down meal at any of their houses.

 

[DaveBrt]

My wife majored in Home Economics in college (mid-60's) -- clothing and textiles were her area of interest, but the department chairwoman said that no student would leave her department without a rounded education. Therefore, she had to take several food and nutrition courses.

The final course, her senior year, required her to create a menu, buy the food (fortunately, the department paid for it), cook, present, and serve the food. This all came with properly written invitations to the professor, a girl friend student, and me (husband). The meal was served in a special room set aside for the dinners. My wife, as hostess, was responsible for making sure the conversation never slacked and that we all had plenty to eat ("Would you care for more food?" NOT more beans or potatoes -- you must not try to guess what your guest might want!).

She did a fine job and graduated with honors. She also used a great deal of her social and food training during my 20 year career as a Navy officer, as hostess on many occasions.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

I really enjoy hanging out with my friends, but I don't think I've ever been to a sit-down meal at any of their houses.

Yes. I was going to say earlier that we tend to 'outsource' these things much of the time these days. We are inclined to eat out with people, or have someone cater on more special occasions. To me, it is something which is often handed down

I have relatives who are marvelous at entertaining, and I always enjoyed their dinners.

It sounds like your wife's education and experience brought a great deal of satisfaction into both your lives @DaveBrt .
Personally, I think we need to create options again for people to appreciate these 'lost arts', and the pleasure that can be gained from them. Rather than looking at them as a negative, which I think is the general take on it these days.

 

[Zella]

Yes. I was going to say earlier that we tend to 'outsource' these things much of the time these days. We are inclined to eat out with people, or have someone cater on more special occasions. To me, it is something which is often handed down

Personally, I think we need to create options again for people to appreciate these 'lost arts', and the pleasure that can be gained from them. Rather than looking at them as a negative, which I think is the general take on it these days.

Yep. I think the only time I have ever sat at one of my friends' dining room tables was to play cards. In fact, for the longest time I didn't have a dining room table because I didn't need one! I knew I wasn't going to be entertaining and figured I'd save space in my tiny apartment.

I'm personally not a born hostess. Way too introverted. But I do like to cook. If someone else wants to host, I'll help with the food.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Oh, also, as a working woman, I have to say that there is often little time left to devote to these things in the way you might like. That's part of the problem, too.

 

[luinrina]

I guess I'm too young to appreciate these arts. Like Zella, I don't have a dinner table in my apartment. When I'm meeting friends, we're eating out, and the two times family visited, we made do with my coffee table.

My grandma cares though. Every time there's a gathering for birthday tea or other occasions, she makes a fuss all morning about which table cloth to use, what china to put out, etc. etc. I'm always saying to her "Who cares if that table cloth is a little too small? Or if the china doesn't all match?" But, apparently, quite a few people still care. I'll keep that in mind and let grandma fuss all she wants the next time I visit.