Princess Lessons Read Free

self-actualized.]
    When you are
the one making introductions, be sure to include people’s first and last names.
If you can’t remember someone’s name, introduce the person whose name you do
know (“Do you know His Royal Highness, Prince William?”) and the person whose
name you don’t know will usually introduce themselves.
TALK LIKE A PRINCESS
Conversational DOs and DON’Ts
    When meeting someone for the first time, begin by asking his/her
advice or opinion. Do not ask him/her yes-or-no questions. Something like “In
what region is your summer palace located?” or “What did you think of that
scintillating article on the Japanese royal family in today’s New York
Times ?” will do. Current events, popular movies, television shows, and
music all make excellent conversation starters. You might also comment on the
weather or the room in which you are standing.
    [Only talk about the weather as a last resort. Weather is way boring.]
    Do be a good listener:
    Do not monopolize conversations, even
if you are the only blue-blood in the room. Allow others to
speak as well. Even if you are caught up in your own cleverness, remember to
stop and ask your acquaintance about his opinion or experiences.
    Do not gossip:
    When you have just
met a new person, it isn’t smart to ask him something like “Did you hear about
the countess and Prince René?” because he might reply, “No,
the countess is my wife. What about her and Prince René?” Suddenly you will
feel very uncomfortable.
    Do not swear:
    Princesses do not use curse words except under extreme
provocation, such as the severing of a limb or the loss of a priceless piece of
jewelry down the bidet.
    [Princesses don’t ridicule the looks, politics, religion, or
extracurricular activities of others. Even cheerleading.]

EAT
LIKE A PRINCESS

    Formal Dining
    Â 
    It will happen. At some point you will be asked to a formal
dinner. It is important that you familiarize yourself beforehand with the
utensils that will be used.
    Utensils are always positioned for use
from the outside in (on the left of the plate) and the inside out (on the right
of the plate). The first fork one reaches for is the one farthest from the
plate. The opposite goes for knives on the other side of the plate. The knife
closest to the plate is the knife used first, and so on.
    [This is unlike the FOIL system in
Algebra—First, Outside, Inside, Last. Always use the fork or knife closest to
your left.]
    Formal Place Setting (expected at state dinners, prom, etc.)
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Service plate, positioned so pattern on plate faces diner
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Butter plate, positioned above the forks at left of place setting
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Wineglasses and water glass, above knives and spoons, on the right positioned by size
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Salad fork, placed left of dinner fork
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Meat fork, left of salad fork
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Fish fork, left of meat fork
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Salad knife, to the right of plate
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Meat knife, right of salad knife
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Fish knife, right of meat knife
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Butter knife, positioned diagonally at top of butter plate
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Soup spoon and/or fruit spoon, placed outside the knives
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Oyster fork, beyond the spoons
    Â Â Â Â Â Â  Napkin
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Understood? Très bien!
    At a crowded
dining table, the issue of which water glass, wineglass, or bread plate belongs
to which diner can sometimes become confusing. This can be cleared up simply by
forming your left thumb and index finger into the letter b and your right thumb
and index finger into the letter d, as shown below. b = bread d = drink

    b = bread              d = drink

    The bread
plate to your left is yours. The drinking glass