Celestial - Akiro
Customs - Banquettes are the most important social ritual. People of high social rank set guest tables that almost always have food and are set for a feast at all times incase unexpected guests arrive. They are the best way to influence a person of high regard. A prayer must be said before each meal, and then the guests must wash their hands in warm water. Ushers carry platters to noble feasters. Spoons are provided (for soup and pudding), forks are unfashionable, and guests bring their own knives which are used similarly to a fork. Mostly finger food are served and hands should be washed between courses. A container of salt should be set in front of honored guests. Servants should be well dressed and ensure that each guest is only served food that he or she likes. Honey should be offered as a sweetener. Honey cakes and pastries are the favored deserts. You should say ‘good apettite’ (buon apettito) before starting a meal. If you’re offered a glass of wine, wait until your host has made a toast (salute!) before drinking. If you aren’t offered another drink, it’s time to go home. You should, however, go easy on the wine and other alcohol, as if you drink to excess you’re unlikely to be invited back. It’s common to invite people to come after dinner (dopo cena), e.g. from 9.30pm, for dessert and wine. Entertainment such as music or poetry should be performed between the meal and desert and is very important to a successful banquette. There is an elaborate code of etiquette for approaching high officials. Generally, go-betweens are used to arrange banquets for lower officials that allow you to move up the social ranks to marshall and eventually to the high council. If you have a business appointment with an important figure, he will expect you to be on time, although he will invariably be five or ten minutes late. If you’re going to be more than five minutes late, it’s wise to send a messenger to apologize.
