DISTRICT INSTRUCTOR
R\H\ EDUARDO L. BRANDAO PM
2600 NE 27th Terrace, Ft Lauderdale, Fl 33306
R: 954-563-0797 Cell: 954-394-6883
April District School of Instruction
Wednesday January 30 at Deerfield Lodge hosted by Pompano Lodge 7:30
April 2008 Message
EVENING CLOTHING
There are basically two types of generic evening attires used in our western civilization today. The formal one is the tailcoat also called white tie, and it is used in high pomp ceremonies of head of states, grand balls, international symphonic orchestras etc. The semi formal is the tuxedo or black tie. They are proper to be worn after 6:00 PM.
Why do Masons use so formal attires?. It is out of mere vanity or hot air? The answer is an overwhelming not. Traditionally Masons have dinners and banquets to have our young Brothers acquainted with the socials skills necessary to his leadership position in our society to which we are preparing him. Morality, Intellectuality and Spirituality are his luggage; social skills his road of access. If Masons ever lost this concept, our fraternity would lose its consequence and sooner or later die.
Wearing a tuxedo and eating with his hands like a bum would be as ludicrous and improper as buying a Rolls Royce to carry bags of manure.
Our Brother President George Washington wrote a booklet called “Rules Of Civility And Decent Behavior In Company And Conversation” that is still good today.
Some simple rules to teach our young Brothers as they come in:
Dinner is not simply to feed but for enjoyment.
Table manners aim two objectives: Sanitary and Esthetics.
No personal items placed on the table.
Wash hands before meals and after using bathroom.
No double dipping or using your silverware to serve from font.
Fingers only to bread, crackers or dry foods.
Hands always apparent over the table, arms sometimes, and elbows never.
No burping, spitting, nose or tooth picking in public.
No shouting or abrupt movements at the table.
No speaking with full mouth.
Cut of food in small pieces to allow you to keep conversation.
Raise food to mouth; do not lower mouth to dish.
Do not reach over for food, ask to have it passed to you.
Wipe your lips before drinking. Keep napkin as neat as possible.
Keep conversation pleasant.
For multiple courses, start with outside silverware.
When finished, place fork and knife parallel at 4:00 o’clock.
No money over the table while food is still there.
Social skills and good manners do not make a man better but make him feel
better.
Next school of instruction at Deerfield Lodge Wednesday April 23 at 6:30
for dinner.
LETS LEARN TOGETHER.
Fraternally,
Eduardo Brandao
District Instructor