Who Is An Educated Man?
One time, I was asked: Who is an educated man? I
rumbled with several responses. However, my friend who asked who is an educated
man simply defined him as a person who behaves correctly in any given
situation.
It doesn’t matter whether a person went to and
graduated from college or did not, if he acts correctly in any situation he is
in. Then, he is an educated person.
In many instances, such as during seminars, meetings,
and conferences our seat mates continue conversing while the speaker is
delivering his message. How can we understand his talk if we keep on conversing
while the speaker is delivering his message? Moreover, it is impolite. Other
people around are destructed.
PROTOCOL
One way to effect good behavior in any given place,
time and occasion is to follow PROTOCOL. What is Protocol? It comes from a
Greek word used to identify documents. However, today it is a body of social
discipline without which the gathering of all kinds like the very important
persons, dignitaries and even the common people would have little relevance.
Protocol brings to the meeting of world leaders a mixture of good manners and
common sense which makes effective communication.
Protocol according to the “Rules On Protocol For
Philippine Rotary Clubs”, is the expression of good manners… and just as
politeness is one of the basic rules for everyday life. Therefore, protocol is
a set of rules of conduct for people especially for those in the government and
their representatives on official and on private occasions.
Protocol serves to create a pleasant atmosphere in any
gathering. It prevents strain and promotes goodwill among people in the
gathering.
The rules of protocol “evolve with due regard to local
customs and tradition”. Nevertheless, it isn’t meant to upset established situations
but to consolidate that which are generally accepted. They are customs and
modes of behavior which have come to be accepted as useful and necessary to
society.
One rule of protocol is the adherence to the order of
procedure in some functions where officials are present. The rank or order of
procedure of an official must be properly recognized at all times such as in
the official seating and introduction during programs, banquets and other
gatherings. An organization may approve its seating arrangement to be followed
strictly.
During important gatherings like our annual general
meeting of an organization, the participants as well as the guest and very
important people must be accorded appropriate respect. If there is the head
table for the VIPs, a seating arrangement is followed. They are introduced from
the lowest in rank up to the highest in rank and guest of honor as followed by
Rotary Clubs as example.
The introducer starts his introduction from both ends
of the Presidential Table. He starts from the farthest left and then to the
farthest right, back to the next farthest at the left, and then next farthest
at the right, and so forth and so on as the introducer gradually moves to the
middle.
Table Manners
Elbows must never be placed on the table while a
person is eating. The feet must be flat on the floor. If the dish is not within
our reach, just request one next seated to you to “please pass” that dish on
your right in a cordial way and thank him. Soup must be taken from the side of
the spoon and sipped silently. The soup spoon must be filled from one side in
an outwardly direction and convey to the mouth the opposite side of the spoon.
Chew the food quietly without opening our mouth.
Wiping the silver and plates with the napkin indicates poor manners. Remove
spoon from the cup. It is good breeding for a person to take a little of
every item offered. Before taking any beverage, make sure to have empty
mouth. Lips are wiped clean to keep the rim of the glasses and cups free from
ugly marks. After one has finished eating his meal, he places the
fork and knife on the right side of the plate. The sharp side of the knife must
face inward and the fork, with the tines up is placed to the left of
the knife.
NAPKIN
Napkin
is never meant to be bib, neither towel nor handkerchief. Never blow your nose
in a napkin but napkin is used to blot or wipe our mouth. When you sit at the
table, place napkin of your laps. After eating, napkin should be simply placed
loosely to the left side of place setting. /MP
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