Sharing Table-space (Was RE: SCA feasts)
Baker, Mike
mbaker at rapp.com
Mon Jan 13 09:42:00 PST 1997
Many of my most memorable SCA feast experiences involve table companions
both deliberate and accidental. (And Steppes-folk will no doubt recall my
recurrent harangue about being prepared to accomodate newcomers & visitors
from my recent stint as Hospitaller...)
Sharing table can be a difficult thing, however, and it is no doubt a good
idea to review some of the simple ways in which it can be better
accomplished.
SPACE: not every feast-hall is really large enough for a complex decorated
table. We should all remain considerate, and even consider strongly packing
away the extra non-functional items in our spreads as it appears obvious
that table-top areas are at a premium. If this frees sufficient space to
allow "adoption" of strays, please be pro-active and do so!
DELIBERATE GUESTING: (best coordinated with the local Hospitaller and Gate
personnel) Set an extra pair of spaces, or enough to complete the common six
or eight settings per table, and invite newcomers to join you for the
evening. Beyond the joys of meeting new people, this scheme also allows you
to maintain a decorative theme when entering competition for table
decorations without appearing stand-offish by refusing space to latecomers.
And all for the simple cost of cleaning a few extra place settings (plus the
probable assistance of "your" guests in packing things away).
SHARING THE BOUNTY: even where there is plenty of space, setting out a good
spread of tidbits well before feast can serve several purposes. For persona
play, I have used a Twelfth Night spread to show success in the prior year
as a merchant. For bakers, cooks, vintners, and others who produce
comestible substances, the pre-feast offerings can showcase their works in a
non-competitive way. Even the potters, needleworkers, weavers, and other
artisans can display their respective skills unobtrusively by means of feast
table embellishments.
RANDOM ASSIGNMENT: (proposed; I have never seen this done at an SCA feast)
For a smaller feast-hall, or as a "mixer", consider what might be
accomplished by assigning couples / households to tables semi-randomly.
Avoiding the placement of known social enemies in close proximity, assigned
seating would no doubt be best accomplished when advanced registration is
required for feast. (Of course, adjust seat assignments as necessary when
the inevitable no-shows occur.)
A few thoughts, of which it is my fervent wish that you who read these words
may find some inspiration for improving the feast experience.
Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra
currently residing in Barony of the Steppes, Kingdom of Ansteorra
Mike C. Baker mbaker at rapp.com
Any opinions expressed are obviously my own unless explicitly stated
otherwise!
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