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Michelle
Upstart Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 24	Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:42 pm    Post subject: dinner parties   Hi, I was hoping someone could anwer this question for me. When hosting a dinner party how was dinner announced? Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Michelle _________________ I told him I was falling.....and he whispered....I have wings
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Candice
Queen of the Board Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 2731 Location: Minneapolis, MN	Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:18 pm    Post subject:   Hi Michelle. Welcome to the board!!! In answer to your question, I'm going to quote from Roberts' Guide for Butlers and Other Household Staff, written by an American butler named (I love this!) Robert Roberts in 1827. Yes, it's American, but I suspect what he says derives from practices brought over from England many years earlier. First, he gives deliciously detailed instructions on setting the table. Then begins a section called "Waiting On Dinner": Quote: When the chairs are put round, and all things quite ready, proceed to the drawing room, or wherever the company is. If the drawing room is large, advance a little towards the lady or gentleman of the family, and with a graceful motion of your head, say, "Ma'am," or "Sir, the dinner is served;" or "Ladies and Gentlemen, dinner is on the table." The latter sounds vaguely American to me. Also, I would guess that whether a butler alerts the lady of the house, or announces dinner to the company at large is based on the preferences of the specific household. Some ladies may prefer to announce dinner themselves, some may prefer to have the butler do it. I'm guessing, based on what Roberts says, that either way is correct. _________________
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Michelle
Upstart Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 24	Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:11 am    Post subject: Thank you Candice!   I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. That helps out so much! I had that the bell for dinner was rung and I really have no idea why I put that in there and when I went back to read over my chapter...it caught my eye. Thank you again! Michelle _________________ I told him I was falling.....and he whispered....I have wings
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