Officers Mess Decorum
Thread Starter
Officers Mess Decorum
I have had the honour (I assume it to be an honour) of being invited to dine in an RAF Officers Mess for lunch in the near future.
Being a stranger to such places....are there any land mines scattered about I should be on the look out for? Any do's.....any don'ts?
I assume it is not opend sitting and one merely takes the empty chair right?
Being a stranger to such places....are there any land mines scattered about I should be on the look out for? Any do's.....any don'ts?
I assume it is not opend sitting and one merely takes the empty chair right?
PPatRoN
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No need to be nervous. Whoever has invited you will look after you.
If you are nervous nonetheless, it might make things easier if you tell your host that this is your first time lunching in a Mess and you'd welcome hints on protocol.
adr
If you are nervous nonetheless, it might make things easier if you tell your host that this is your first time lunching in a Mess and you'd welcome hints on protocol.
adr
Thread Starter
No wiping my hands on the table cloth and that kind of thing....?
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I wouldnt worry, there are only a few relics around who keep the mess in the 1920's but if you look at the thread about VR(T) Officers in the Mess that will give you the heads up about do's and don'ts.
Thread Starter
Isn't that what the carpet is for?
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Remember not to pick yer nose with the fork - the spoon is the correct implement.
Do not forget to place the bottle you use to relieve yourself back on the table for people to have another drink.
Remember to ask the PMC's permission to throw up in the dessert before doing so.
Everything else is very straightforward!
Do not forget to place the bottle you use to relieve yourself back on the table for people to have another drink.
Remember to ask the PMC's permission to throw up in the dessert before doing so.
Everything else is very straightforward!
Thread Starter
Shame there is no inter-service rivalry like in our mob. I went there and started a thread....and got some very professional hints...some of which would be of great value I think. None as good as Wholigan's however.
Simple things are what usually get you in trouble I guess.
Simple things are what usually get you in trouble I guess.
Chap was asking about lunch, not dinner!
Unless he was confused by some FNM* referring to 'luncheon' as 'dinner' and 'dinner' as 'tea'? As in "Us 'as us burgers for 'us tea"......
* see LS&2SB if you don't know what a FNM is!
Unless he was confused by some FNM* referring to 'luncheon' as 'dinner' and 'dinner' as 'tea'? As in "Us 'as us burgers for 'us tea"......
* see LS&2SB if you don't know what a FNM is!
Thread Starter
Beags,
You know just part of it...where I was raised we had dinner and supper and sometimes lunch and supper but never lunch and dinner. Although the Restaurant menu's had Dinner on them for supper. All very simple really. One just had to understand the nuance of the language.
You know just part of it...where I was raised we had dinner and supper and sometimes lunch and supper but never lunch and dinner. Although the Restaurant menu's had Dinner on them for supper. All very simple really. One just had to understand the nuance of the language.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
SASLess
posted 5th September 2005 20:15
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Isn't that what the carpet is for?
You are trolling. If you didn't know the protocol how do you know about the carpet?
posted 5th September 2005 20:15
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Isn't that what the carpet is for?
You are trolling. If you didn't know the protocol how do you know about the carpet?
Thread Starter
Fort Sill, Oklahoma...circa 1970...Army announces "Early Out" program for now surplus Warrant Officer helicopter pilots with previous combat tours who wish to leave early....and then decides it takes two weeks to do the paperwork leaving lots of young high spirited rulebreakers with the knowledge that bad report cards mean nothing and a $300 fine for misconduct is no big deal.
Transition to the Officers Mess...mandatory membership required in violation of Army Regulations....coat and tie required after 1800 hours....except Friday at "Happy Hour" (no longer allowed by the modern PC Army...Happy Hour that is...) and you have a situation made for trouble.
The Mess built during the 20's-30's during the heyday of the "Old Army" and quite a pretty place really...had benches all around the perimeter of the main hall....and bar....with tables in front of the wall benches with fine deep pile carpet on the floor.
After twenty seven cans of Mr. Coor's finest (more like urine samples when compared to real beer...like Theakstons)....it was found to be expedient as both an efficency measure and guerilla warfare to take care of making room for more beer right there on the spot. The really naughty thing was changing tables all night long....in that the objective was to make at least one rev of the room before going home. With 19 of us involved.....it took on some sort of military logistics exercise...getting the right people into the correct position in time to bring fire on target so to speak.
I should be ashamed....I know it....but somehow....heheheheheh!
Transition to the Officers Mess...mandatory membership required in violation of Army Regulations....coat and tie required after 1800 hours....except Friday at "Happy Hour" (no longer allowed by the modern PC Army...Happy Hour that is...) and you have a situation made for trouble.
The Mess built during the 20's-30's during the heyday of the "Old Army" and quite a pretty place really...had benches all around the perimeter of the main hall....and bar....with tables in front of the wall benches with fine deep pile carpet on the floor.
After twenty seven cans of Mr. Coor's finest (more like urine samples when compared to real beer...like Theakstons)....it was found to be expedient as both an efficency measure and guerilla warfare to take care of making room for more beer right there on the spot. The really naughty thing was changing tables all night long....in that the objective was to make at least one rev of the room before going home. With 19 of us involved.....it took on some sort of military logistics exercise...getting the right people into the correct position in time to bring fire on target so to speak.
I should be ashamed....I know it....but somehow....heheheheheh!
