atreideslioness: (leto&ghani)
Ghanima Atreides ([personal profile] atreideslioness) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2010-10-20 09:49 am

Cultural Appreciation, Week VII [Wednesday, Periods 4 & 5]

The students had handwavily been sent a notice that today's trip required a dress code, and when they met today, the portal took them to Citronelle in DC.

"Since last week was fall break, and this weekend is Homecoming, I doubt I can hold your attention for too long," Ghanima teased as they entered the restaurant. "So today we focus on something which will be important in your adult lives, if not very important this weekend; proper etiquette for fine dining."

Once they were in and seated, Ghanima took the opportunity to address the class. "A formal restaurant is different from a fast food place in terms of expected etiquette," she said. "The price is higher in a formal type restaurant and the group of people are usually different. There are many different types of restaurants in existence, ranging from a "mom and pop" restaurant to a $500-a-plate restaurant. The etiquette is different and different behavior is expected in a formal restaurant than in an informal restaurant. Rules can even vary between regions, but there are a few basics that transcend location into simple good manners."

"Firstly, turn off your cell phone or switch it to silent or vibrate mode before sitting down to eat, and leave it in your pocket or purse. It is impolite to answer a phone during dinner. If you must make or take a call, excuse yourself from the table and step outside of the restaurant. I know that many of you enjoy the hyper-connected feeling of this era, but a phone does not belong in a formal dining setting."

"Gentlemen, pull the chairs out for the ladies. Ladies, do not take this as an implication that you are incapable of moving a chair or serving yourself. It is a sign of respect, and do not be surprised if an older gentlemen stand up at any time a lady does at the table! This is not seen much anymore, but it was once basic etiquette for all gentlemen to stand when a lady excuses herself for a moment, and is still considered appropriate among the older generation.

"Never use the knife to cut something and then put it on the table. After using the knife, put it on the plate so it is not touching the table. If silver is dropped on the floor, leave it there, and the server will replace it."

"Enjoy the food and eat slowly. Yes, Mooby's fries can be easy to chow down on very fast, but keep the pace slow at a formal restaurant. The food is excellent, so enjoy it. This is a social event, not just food-as-fuel. And when it comes time to go, please remember to give a generous tip! Most of the wait staff in a formal restaurant will serve well, so a generous tip is expected. Throwing down a bunch of change doesn't qualify; you will want to leave a 15-20% gratuity, at minimum, with 25-30% for excellent service."

"Now, we have the space to ourselves to practice today, as this establishment was kind enough to open for us." The perks of being a Princess Royal of one of the Great Houses; Ghanima had enough personal income to throw around for things like this, without even blinking. "Order what pleases you, and if you have any questions about the proper way to do something, please do not hesitate to ask."

[OOC: THIS POST NOW OPEN FOR NOMMING.]

Re: Sign-In VII

[identity profile] nothornlessrose.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassidy

Re: During the Lecture

[identity profile] nothornlessrose.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
While Cassidy was looking around at everything with interest, she really felt out of place somewhere like this.

Re: Order!

[identity profile] nothornlessrose.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassidy was still going through the menu and trying to see if there was anything that looked good or that she was brave enough to try.

Re: Sign-In VII

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Christian

Re: Order!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Christian perused the menu carefully, then ordered the lamb. "Raw-cooked" vegetables sounded a little odd, but he had the feeling he was in good hands.

Re: Sign-In VII

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Rilla Blythe

Re: Order!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Does this menu really say that we might eat caviar penguin?" Rilla hissed at him.

Re: Order!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think it does," Christian said, blinking at the relevant listing. "Maybe it's a fancy way of saying penguin eggs? They might be a delicacy."

He didn't sound like he had much faith in that "might."

Re: Order!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Rilla wrinkled up her nose. "I don't think we're supposed to eat a penguin."

Re: Order!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"You'd think we would have heard of it before now if they tasted any good," Christian had to agree.

But curiosity was curiosity, so: "I'll taste some if you order it."

Re: Order!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"All right," Rilla said slowly. "What will you get?"

Re: Sign-In VII

[identity profile] pastmewrong.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Effy Stonem

Re: Order!

[identity profile] boho-to-be.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"The lamb," Christian answered. He wasn't nearly as brave as he wanted Rilla to be. "Though I don't understand how vegetables can be cooked and raw."

Re: Order!

[identity profile] pastmewrong.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Not exactly an expert on the social graces, but Effy was bright enough to follow whoever was sitting near and blend with the polite norm.

She didn't even know what was in half of what was on the menu, but seeing what the desserts (http://www.citronelledc.com/images/dessert_hd_img1.jpg) came out like, she didn't much care.

Re: Order!

[identity profile] rilla-myrilla.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"It sounds like magic," Rilla said.
glacial_queen: (Salad Bowl)

Re: Sign-In VII

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2010-10-20 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Karla
glacial_queen: (Shared grin)

Re: During the Lecture

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2010-10-20 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Karla poked Cassidy and grinned. "Welcome to the world of Protocol," she whispered. "There are actually way fewer forks here than most state dinners have. You'll be fine."
glacial_queen: (Made Up)

Re: Order!

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2010-10-20 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, Karla was very interested in their selection of teas, but that was for after the meal itself. She ordered the chateaubriand, mostly because it was fun to say.

It felt odd to not be swinging her feet. It took her a few moments to realize why--she felt exactly as if she were seated at a function in her mother's Court. When she would have been young enough and small enough to kick her heels against the chair.

Ow. That realization hurt, just a little.

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