Sunday 16 January 2011

Teaching City Etiquette - Wednesday 12th January 2011

The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists have a New Freemen's Dinner each year, at which they teach their new members about the history and background to certain City traditions and etiquette, so that they know how to avoid embarrassing themselves at future events, or if they dine with other livery companies.

In the capable hands of Master Ken Olisa, this was an evening of great entertainment as well as utility. He covered dress code, not leaving the table early, the Rose Water Ceremony, the Sung Grace, the Loyal and City toasts, and the speeches. He imagined a Bateman-type cartoon of "The guest who picked up his glass too soon in the Loyal Toast" as a warning to us all.

All livery companies need to induct new members in some way - it's not reasonable to expect people to know what to do if they haven't been told - and this was a fun and original way of achieving it.

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