A group of us was scooping the last bits of ice cream off our tall sundae bowls when my sister asked the question ‘What is the etiquette of this place when it comes to returning the dish?’ We were all seated around a table and it was no different to a restaurant, except that we had to pick the order up from the counter and there weren’t many wait staff hanging around. Since I am an ardent fan of the place and know the protocol, I told her that there is an uncle who ambles around and picks the dishes once people finish.
I have no juicy etiquette story from our visit to the ice cream parlour, but this question struck me hard and started to make me think. Across dozens of etiquette articles, what I try to establish is that there is protocol required in each different instance and that we must be conscious of it. Whether we know to do the right thing or not is one story, the first step would be for all of us to realise that there could indeed be an accepted and practised method in whatever we do.
So hot on the heels of my article about making etiquette the resolution you stick to for the year 2023 titled ‘Dedicated to Those Looking for a Serious New Year’s Resolution‘, this seemed to be an eye opening question.
Very simply, if we could all incorporate this question to our routines and wonder within our heads what the etiquette is relating to a situation, a place, an event or an encounter, I think we would have all achieved our resolution for the year and made it a habit also.
So here is the question to keep asking yourself throughout the year! The best part is, if you are ever stumped and do not have an answer, you can hit us up at fullofetiquette@gmail.com and we can find answers together.
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ice-cream-with-chocolate-5060889/
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