At the banquet

Before the banquet

For larger dinners, a welcome drink is usually served before sitting. This gives the guests an opportunity to greet each other. During the welcome drink, one should remember not to leave one's company. In married couples, the lady is traditionally carried on the right side.

During the welcome drink, one can also take the opportunity to view the table placement boards that are set up.

During the banquet

At the toastmaster's signal, one takes his place at the table. Traditionally, the lady always sits to the right of her table cavalier.

Demonstration video to know who your table partner is

During the sitting, the table should not be left. Wearing a dress, however, one has permission to leave the table, if one has to. In that case, this must be done so discreetly that other guests are not disturbed. The table partner of course helps by pulling out the chair or pushing the chair in, as this can be more difficult than what one might think to do yourself with extra festive dresses. When you return, you wait to enter the dining room if someone gives a speech or other entertainment is happening, to go to your place afterwards, as discreetly and carefully as you went out. Disturbing a speaker or artist with unnecessary running is considered very rude.

When someone gives a speech, one should place the cutlery on the plate and listen in silence.

Smoking must not take place at the dining table under any circumstances!

In small groups, one should not start eating the main course before the welcome toast has been served. In larger groups, one can slowly start eating the main course when everyone around one has had food on their plate.

A toast takes place after the announcement of the toastmaster / speakers and on your own initiative with the table partner, and only with wine or schnapps. The first toast, the welcome toast, takes place when the wine for the main course has been served. If any loyalty is present, the first bowl is always the King's Toast.