First Lady's Table Attracts A - List

The NY Times ^ | 9/6/2001

[Miss Marple]

Thanks, kayak! Saw part of this last night on C=SPAN. I was very proud of how wonderful they appeared. Loved hearing "Hail to the Chief," too.

[wimpycat]

Ohhh! I was always taught, start with the outside fork or spoon and work your way IN.

That's what I was taught, too. Of course, I've never encountered more than one spoon, two forks and a knife before. I've never been to a dinner that fancy before.

[wimpycat]

...had to navigate a confounding place setting of three gold forks, three gold knives and an oversized spoon.

To whoever authored this column: that oversized spoon is a soup spoon, you dork! Soup spoons are larger just about everywhere else in the world than they are in the U.S. Jeez! Were you raised in a barn or something?

[AppyPappy]

When invited to a formal dinner, it helps to look up the rules.

[ohioWfan]

But, being neither a night owl nor much of a Fred Astaire, Bush warned would-be waltzers that he would not be with them for long. ``For those of us who like to go to bed early -- well, I guess I'll be here for one dance.''

I haven't seen any pictures or video from his "one dance." I wonder if the President timed this one too? LOL!

And lawgirl.....;o)

[ohioWfan]

To whoever authored this column: that oversized spoon is a soup spoon, you dork!

What amazes me is that anyone would admit this kind of ignorance in print! Even if you think that the majority of Americans don't understand the 'silverware thing', wouldn't you look it up yourself so you don't look like a fool to those people who do? You don't have to be at a State dinner to know how to use all 3 forks and a soup spoon! Duhhh

[The Wizard]

I too was taught from out to in.....makes sense.....

[ohioWfan]

My F-I-L was like that. Company was there but when ready he would say "enjoy yourselves but I'm going to bed."

My dad is like that too. We'll be at parties or family gatherings, and right about ten pm he disappears to go to bed. I call that being comfortable in one's skin...

I've been told that my grandfather used to come back downstairs in his PJ's to tell his guests he was going to bed! I don't think the President is quite that comfortable in his own skin!
(At least I hope not! LOL!)

[angelbaby1111]

You have to dumb down when you have nothing but "trailer trash" there.

[eureka!]

The Cymers sure changed their tone on this one. Must want to go to the next dinner....

[daisyscarlett]

Oh I guess my tip about how to use the silverware at a State Dinner was backwards! I should have checked my "Joy of Cooking" book before giving advice. The original edition has a great section in the back, complete with sketches, on how to set a table properly. If I ever get invited to something fancy, I had best refer to it and study it before I get there!!LOL..

[ClancyJ]

I've been told that my grandfather used to come back downstairs in his PJ's to tell his guests he was going to bed!

Such a cute memory. Wonderful. I can just see him doing it. I had a boss once - a real unique man. Had a party of office people and finally went and put on his pajamas (guess this was a hint to go home).

[1rudeboy]

What amazes me is that anyone would admit this kind of ignorance in print! Even if you think that the majority of Americans don't understand the 'silverware thing', wouldn't you look it up yourself so you don't look like a fool to those people who do?

Of course you would. My guess is that the writer was trying to "bond" with the common-folk, and imply that the Bushes cannot.

[Bigg Red]

Where was the snippy trashing?

Read it again. You'll notice that the writer, who, BTW, doesn't even know apparently how to eat at a formal dinner, chose to analyze everything W did for its potential political gain. I never saw any similar analysis for Clinton guests, e.g., "Larry Flynt, selected to appeal to the Clintons' important pornography voting block..."

[Wright is right!]

"Ohhh! I was always taught, start with the outside fork or spoon and work your way IN. The reason is, the unusual silverware is usually removed with the bowl or plate and is no longer in the way."

You are correct. It appears that this oh-so-erudite "author" has never even been on a cruise ship. Table settings in the dining rooms are formal, with a complement of 3 forks, 3 spoons, 2 knives, and silver for whatever appetizers are on the menu. After you order, any silver in the place setting that doesn't apply to what you've ordered is REMOVED. And you go outside-in.

Sheesh.

Michael

[ohioWfan]

Had a party of office people and finally went and put on his pajamas (guess this was a hint to go home).

I don't know the specifics, but my grandfather was an insurance executive (in the 1930's), and I imagine that he did that a time or two when he had office guests.

Would that I had inherited some of his chutzpah!

[Republic of Texas]

The best part of this dinner is that the only media invited was Britt Hume. The rest were shut out. (Except for Andrea Mitchell, wife of big Al)

[bootless]

Confounding? Sheesh. Start on the outside, and work in. Don't eat peas with your knife... for the voters in Palm Beach.

[ohioWfan]

My guess is that the writer was trying to "bond" with the common-folk, and imply that the Bushes cannot.

Actually that's the first thing I thought of when I read it. The writer, like the Xlintons really understands the people (who are fork-challenged), unlike President Bush, who is privileged and "out of touch" and proves it by ordering confusing place settings.

They keep trying, poor schleps.