In article ,
Nonnymus wrote:
> Luther Myrvold wrote:
> > I am usually unsure of myself regarding wines during meals on cruises.
> > I usually cruise solo, so I am seated at a table of 6 or 8. I enjoy
> > wine with my meals, and I usually order a bottle.
> >
> > Here the rub. I don't offer wine to the other 7 people at the table. I
> > don't think it is necessary, but am I being a shulb? Is there a
> > protocol for wine in a group that is just assigned to a table?
> Thank you for asking. Several years ago, Mrs. Nonnymus and
> I had similar questions about what to do when you want a
> little drink of wine with dinner. Here's a repost of what a
> fine and gracious person once wrote:
>
> The Sommelier
> Having been born and raised in MO, my dear wife and
> I have no delusion of being what big city would call
> sophisticated.
> We try to smooth out some of the rougher spots by observing
> others
> and by my occasionally asking questions on the Internet.
>
> For instance, a response to a recent dilemma about what to
> do with
> chewing gum at the dinner table was simply wonderful, and I am
> grateful to the good people who gave advice beyond just
> sticking it
> up under the table. (I never realized that the little empty
> plates beside
> the coffee cup were to hold gum.) Other questions concerning
> silver
> and table service have elicited a similar generous response
> from many.
>
> My purpose in writing this note is to express my deep for
> the insightful
> and non-patronizing answer to yet another question that has
> perplexed
> both Vicki and me since our very first cruise. Here is the
> background,
> followed the response. It was so kind, helpful and
> appreciated, I thought
> it might be of use to other folks who enjoy cruising, but
> may not
> always know proper etiquette.
>
> The question I discretely asked a couple of months ago was,
> "What
> in the Hell is the purpose of those little cups for that
> hang around
> the neck of the guy who takes my drink order in the dining room?
> They have always worried both Vicki and me, but I've always
> been too
> embarrassed to ask a sophisticated person what they were.²
>
> It was explained that they were called spit cups, and were
> there for
> people to spit their tobacco juice, snuff or plugs of
> tobacco into
> when the wine was served. This made a lot of sense to me,
> since I'd
> noticed a certain amount of distaste on the faces of the
> others at our
> table when Vicki would spit on the floor, and put her chew
> of tobacco
> on the bread plate.
>
> We were so excited with our new level of sophisticated
> knowledge, that
> Vicki and I went to a local restaurant that had one of those
> guys with
> the spit cup around his neck.
>
> Sure enough, the guy came over to our table and asked if we
> would like
> to see the wine menu. We ordered a good Muscatel, and when
> he brought
> it, I motioned him over to Vicki.
>
> He unscrewed the cap and poured a little of it into her
> glass, leaning
> over her a bit as he did it. Vicki smiled, gently reached
> out, took the
> dangling spit cup in her hand, and spit the remains of her
> chew of Red
> Man into the cup. She then handed the cup to the fellow, who
> was so
> shocked by her act of sophistication that all he could do
> was walk
> away. He never even came back to pour the rest of the Muscatel.
>
> Vicki and I both thank all of you for sharing this with us.
> Now, my
> next question is why the guys with the spit cups around
> their necks
> only pour a little bit of the wine in a glass and don't just
> fill it
> up. We bought the entire bottle.
>
> Nonnymus
Nonnymus, you have increased my knowledge of high toned living on those
really big boats. I am sure that the others at my table will be
impressed with my smooth edicate as will as with my rented tux. Thanks
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