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| Miss Dora Baggins' Book of Manners by Dreamflower | 14 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/7/2006 |
| Looking at the day separated into mealtimes, I'm rather surprised that hobbits managed to survive the night without Midnight Snack (midnight) and Early Morning Bite (4 am) added to the list. Two - three hours seems to be the biggest gap they could manage! Some very sensible advice there, Miss Dora. And I imagine that sending Recalcitrant Children away from the Table would indeed be the Worst Punishment they could Envisage! Author Reply: You've got a point. But I suppose that Midnight Snack and Early Morning Bite would fall under the category of larder raids, and would not be considerd "Proper". Still, sleeping hobbits are not going to get hungry as quickly as busy hobbits. Wouldn't it be a cool fic for someone to do a study of hobbit metabolism? I imagine it's a good deal like that of birds, who have to eat so much (comparatively speaking) to maintain themselves. Oh yes, it most certainly would! | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/7/2006 |
| Oops! I hit the wrong button before I finished writing my review! >>One places the Silverware, Plate and Napkin about an inch from the edge of the table, with the Plate in the Center. Place the Fork at the Left of the Plate, upon the Napkin. The Knife should be to the Right of the Plate, blade facing the Plate. The Spoon should be to the Right of the Knife<< I have always wondered who is the one who deemed it absolutely neccessary that a table be set in this manner. It's semantics, really. In the whole universal scheme of things, does it really matter if one's fork is on the right side of the plate or the left? Sorry, I digress ... this stems from conversations I've had with my mother about table setting when younger. >>It is quite Rude to reach in front of someone else. One should Always ask for the food to be Passed to one. By the same token, if one’s neighbor has asked for the Bread to be passed, it is also Rude to take one for oneself before sending it on. Wait until it is Returned. If it was the Last Piece upon the plate, then one is sadly out of luck<< If only some people in today's society followed these basic manners. Sigh. Everyone can learn a thing or two from hobbits. I also enjoyed the various distinctions between the meals, etc. along with the "proper" way to have Thirds and Fourths. I think, however, my favorite part was about teatime. Dora is just so ... proper!! Ughh! Makes me feel very unladylike at times. LOL!! (in my upcoming Dora tale, you might be happy to know that there is a scene where she and Frodo are having afternoon tea together) Hope you post more soon, Dreamflower! Author Reply: I hate it when that happens! If only they followed *any* basic manners...*sigh* Well, of course Aunt Dora has to set her own example of good manners! And I look forward to seeing she and Frodo having Tea! | |
| Elemmírë | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/6/2006 |
| >>When one dines in Company, the first Conversation should always be about the Food Before One. One should pay attention to the dishes served, the way in which they were Prepared, and the Ingredients used to Prepare them. It is proper to comment on the Flavors and Textures of the various Dishes set before one, and to discuss the Preparation of the Food .... After this, the conversation may gradually turn to Food in General, and from there, as the meal nears its End and one has progressed to Filling Up the Corners, more general subjects of Conversation may be Introduced. Even so, it is well to keep to Topics of a Congenial Nature, and to avoid Serious or Unpleasant Subjects until the Meal is ended. And it should go without saying that one should not Discuss Business at the Table! << Gee, no wonder the Bagginses are considered to be dull and predictable, if they follow this advice to the letter, all the time! >>If the food truly is something one heartily Dislikes, take at least a bite or two, and by disturbing the Remainder upon one’s plate, perhaps disguise one’s distaste.<< Advice I'm sure Frodo's followed in the days following the War, Author Reply: I am fairly certain that this idea of Proper Conversation is more likely Miss Dora's Ideal, than a firm Reality. Still, to hobbits, talking about Food is probably not *quite* so boring as it might be to others, LOL! I'm sure you are quite right... | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/6/2006 |
| not simply eat distractedly to fill an Empty Stomach It's hard to imagine a Shire hobbit with an Empty Stomach! :D as the meal nears its End and one has progressed to Filling Up the Corners, more general subjects of Conversation may be Introduced. *snickers* This is so much fun. Author Reply: Considering the metabolism hobbits seem to have, I estimate an "empty stomach" (or what they think of as empty) about every two hours or so, LOL! Why, of course, one should talk about the Food first! *grin* | |