Friday, January 25, 2013

Not the forks again!



Forks you may recognize:  Fork #2 is a Dinner Fork and Fork #3 is a Salad Fork.  In this map, the main course will come before the salad, so the salad fork is pictured closer to the plate.  That is a European tradition often used in very formal meals.  Most of the time you will see those two forks reversed, with the Dinner Fork closest to the plate.  Sometimes both Dinner and Salad Forks will be exactly the same size, so again, start with the fork on the outside.

Above the plate is the Dessert Fork. (Yay!)  Don't despair if you don't see a Dessert Fork when you are seated at the table.  Sometimes the Dessert Fork arrives on the plate with dessert.

What is that funky, curvy fork to the far left? Fork #1 is a Fish Fork. Its shape is instrumental in helping separate the fish on your plate from the bones.  (I know some find it disturbing when your third course is looking back at you, but that's the way of it.)

Our last fork, tiny little Fork #8 is the first fork in the meal.  It's a Seafood Fork, also known as a Cocktail Fork. You may see this resting in the bowl of your Soup Spoon when the First Course is a Seafood Course, such as shrimp cocktail or scallops.  Notice this fork has three prongs.  A similar fork with two prongs is an Escargot Fork.

For you fork snobs, there is also a Lobster Fork, Oyster Fork, Fruit Fork, Strawberry Fork, Pastry Fork and Ice Cream Fork (which we have mentioned before looks a lot like its hillbilly cousin, the "Spork.")  Now that you are in the know, keep it under wraps from anyone about to go crazy with a Bridal Registry.


This tip was provided by: the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/

Oregon Tech's Etiquette Dinner


Business Etiquette Dinner
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
5:30-7:30pm, Mt. Mazama

If you’ve ever sat down to a formal meal and wondered “What are all of those forks for?” or “Is this topic appropriate to bring up?” The Career Services Business Etiquette Dinner will answer these questions and put you at ease.  The dinner is a fun, non-threatening way to learn business etiquette skills while enjoying a full-course meal!
Some of the topics that will be covered are: appropriate ordering, correct silverware usage, appropriate topics for mealtime discussion, and many other aspects to teach students how to successfully conduct oneself in one of the more delicate aspects of the employment process.
It’s not just dinner… this is business. Professional dining skills are an essential part of an executive’s basic “wardrobe.”
The Business Etiquette Dinner is for Oregon Tech students only. Tickets are $10 and will be sold online (credit only). Participants will enjoy a catered, five-course meal and receive tips on how to handle social networking events from table hosts.

Please reserve your seat by Friday, February 8
and come dressed in business attire! 

For reservations go to
and click on Career Events
or call Career Services at 885-1020

For more information on this event, please contact Jan Goodyear at Jan.Goodyear@oit.edu or call 541.885.1023.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

AHHHHHH-CHOOOOOOOO




There is a lot of that going around. The state of Oregon is at a record high for flu diagnoses!   Here are some rules of the fungal jungle:

Always carry tissues, because you may not sneeze into or blow your nose on your napkin at the table.  Can't remember to carry tissues?  Leave yourself a reminder on your cell phone.

If you are at a table with food and you have to sneeze or cough, try to get up and walk away (or dive) from the table.  Sometimes there is not time -- it just sneaks up on you and wham!  There it is. In that case, try to sneeze or cough down, away from the table, away from the food and into your tissue.  (Some will say, "Sneeze into your elbow," but if you are wedged in with people on either side, you might miss and hit your neighbor. And if you have ever been on the receiving end of that, it's hard not to scream.)

In any case, excuse yourself from the table and go wash your hands (in the restroom, not the kitchen or wet bar sink.) If the sneezing or coughing continues, you may have to excuse yourself from the meeting, party or event.

Not all who are sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose is viral.  Some people have food allergies or sensitivities to dusty or dry conditions.  The polite thing to do when someone sneezes, is to not recoil in horror.


Stay healthy. stay warm, the worst is almost behind us!






Tip provided by: Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com