Date and time: 9 th May, 2007; 2:15- 3:30 p.m.

Venue: School Hall, SMCC

We have meals every day and take them in our own way. However, in some formal social gatherings, we are expected to show etiquette as a sign of respect to the host. We were glad to have Mr. Rock Tam, a senior counsellor at the Career Centre, City University of Hong Kon g, to give us a lesson on table manners.

First of all, Mr. Tam introduced to us some keywords that are usually used when people place orders when dining out. He humorously explained each term to us, using some living gestures along with his demonstration. Then, he went through the courses of a meal with us, illustrating the proper way of taking each course and making use of eating utensils and some bread. Besides, he showed us some funny mistakes that are commonly made by diners in Hong Kong. Frankly speaking, we made them very often too! Take having bread as an example. We usually spread butter on the bread and bite it off. Now we know that it is more appropriate to rip the bread into mouthful pieces while putting butter on piece by piece.

Mr. Tam also shared some other dining experiences of his own with us, which were quite funny indeed. The use of table napkins aroused some sensation and discussion among the audience. We have acquired useful knowledge from the amusing examples he used.

A week after the talk, we had our class lunch outing at the Star Café to put theories on table manners into real practice. On such a rare but precious occasion, we had a long formal lunch with our class teachers, enjoying a 4-course meal. It was a very good chance for us to demonstrate what we’d learnt from the talk. Everyone of us tried to eat in a decent way and we found it not easy! After all, we enjoyed it very much and got great pleasure from the time we spent together. I hope we can continue to display these manners in daily life and practise them every now and then.

Written by Rosalyn Li (F.3D)