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Your Sundae Etiquette Email
Answering your questions with executive etiquette insights, plus some exclusive news!
William Hanson
March 01, 2024
Dear Reader,
First things first, I’m thrilled to see that you are continuing your mannerly journey with me! Nothing warms my heart more than knowing that good manners are far from dead, even in our tumultuous modern times.
I enjoyed seeing everyone at The English Manner Social Etiquette Masterclass yesterday, it’s always a delight to meet those who want to learn and practice etiquette in real life.
Scoop of the day
You may have seen the story I posted on my Instagram asking you for any follow-up questions concerning ice cream etiquette.
Apart from the very highly-requested etiquette question that seems to plague every video (more on that another time, maybe…), the wiser among you asked the following:
Q: Why is it called a ‘pudding’, not a dessert?
In traditional British dining, pudding is the insatiably indulgent food after your main course. Some may refer to it as the ‘sweet’ because it involves sweet-tasting foods, although it's not correct to call it that. Traditionally, dessert refers to the fruit course served at the end of a meal, which is largely redundant nowadays, hence the confusion and blurring of what is correct and what is not. Today, dessert is acceptable (barely), but pudding makes you sound much smarter.
Q: Is ice cream an acceptable pudding to serve at dinner parties?
Ice cream wouldn’t be at the top of my list for a dinner party pudding, but if you go down that route, try and serve Affogato (ice cream, or better still Gelato, with a shot of espresso on top) - far more adult than scraping out the Neopolitan tub.
Q: Do you scoop away with your spoon, like you would with soup?
No. You only scoop away when using a soup spoon because of the traditional size and shape of spoons (an ungallant mouthful), and because the other side of the spoon goes into the hot soup first, allowing you to eat from the cooler side.
Did you know Thomas Jefferson invented the ice cream fork? Another abandoned accoutrement!
I love my breakfast spread…
For those who prefer a traditional medium for keeping abreast of the latest news, I’ll be including some press-related articles in this newsletter when applicable (see below). As I mentioned, I’m no enemy of a big scoop.
Breakfast at Claridges
I’m so looking forward to getting to know you better.
Do you have any ideas, queries or etiquette questions that your fancy might like me to tickle? If so, please do reach out (in reply here or via the feedback form near the end).
Yours sincerely,
William Hanson
How To Answer The Telephone
Does one need to know who is speaking please in an age of Caller ID?
Where To Place Your Napkin
While you may not and should not leave the table during lunch or dinner, knowing where to place your napkin throughout the occasion is a must-know.
How To Eat Ice Cream Correctly
Knives, forks, spoons? What’s the right way to consume ice cream with proper etiquette?
