Serving ~ Lesson #1: Basic Drinks
Posted: 16 Nov 2011, 01:15Simple drinks are the most common thing you will be expected to serve, and the method for doing so is much the same for all of them.
First, of course, you must determine what the person would like. Don't forget to find out how they prefer it. For instance, would they like the drink chilled, warmed, room temperature? Do they take anything in it.. cream or sugar, for coffee, whipped cream on their cocoa, ice, etc?
Do not forget that you should have been kneeling, unless otherwise commanded, as soon as you approached.
Once you know what you are fetching, be quick and efficient, but ALWAYS remember to be graceful. A slave is meant to be a joy to look upon.. a creature of beauty and grace. (You will be taught to stand, walk, crawl and otherwise move as a slave, but that is another lesson. Until then, simply remember that poise is what you are aiming for.)
When you have prepared the drink, return to the person you are serving, kneel carefully, so as not to spill, with your knees wide, as in the standard slave position.
It is customary to reverently kiss the side of the vessel, not up at the rim, where the free person's lips will touch, but down a bit lower.
This is a gesture of deference and also a nod to another custom, which used to be more commonplace, called "proofing", wherein a slave would take a sip of the master's drink before it touched his or her master's lips, in order to test it for poison or quality.
This is a controversial practice, and considered rude in most circles, as it implies that one's host is not to be trusted. Unless specifically ordered to do so, stick to the symbolic kiss on the side.
Another common gesture is to briefly press the cup to your lower abdomen. In this, you imply that you are offering yourself, as well as the wine, to the Master or Mistress. While it is implicit that you use comes with the cost of food or beverage, if the patron wishes, there are some circumstances in which you may wish to make it more explicit, and this is one way to do so. If you do this, it should be done BEFORE kissing the vessel.
You should then proffer the beverage to the master or mistress, holding it in both hands, with your arms raised high and your head lowered in deference.
Often, a slave may say something indicating their hope that they, their service, and the drink are found pleasing.
You might say something like, "I humbly offer you this (whatever the beverages is) in hopes that you find it refreshing" or, "I pray that you find your beverage and this slave pleasing", or many other such things.
Once the beverage has been taken, return to Nadu and wait for further instructions or dismissal.
The person may wish you to fetch something else, stay and converse or otherwise serve them, or go about your other duties.
If there are other people who need serving and not enough slaves present to tend to them and the person does not have a specific use for you, but does not dismiss you, you may (and should) beg to be excused so that you may go about your duties, always offering to return to their feet when you have finished, if they desire.
It is important to note that this is STANDARD, but in no way etched in stone. If you are commanded to serve something in a different fashion, do so, unless it goes directly against your owner's orders.
Remember, your number one priority is to be pleasing!
First, of course, you must determine what the person would like. Don't forget to find out how they prefer it. For instance, would they like the drink chilled, warmed, room temperature? Do they take anything in it.. cream or sugar, for coffee, whipped cream on their cocoa, ice, etc?
Do not forget that you should have been kneeling, unless otherwise commanded, as soon as you approached.
Once you know what you are fetching, be quick and efficient, but ALWAYS remember to be graceful. A slave is meant to be a joy to look upon.. a creature of beauty and grace. (You will be taught to stand, walk, crawl and otherwise move as a slave, but that is another lesson. Until then, simply remember that poise is what you are aiming for.)
When you have prepared the drink, return to the person you are serving, kneel carefully, so as not to spill, with your knees wide, as in the standard slave position.
It is customary to reverently kiss the side of the vessel, not up at the rim, where the free person's lips will touch, but down a bit lower.
This is a gesture of deference and also a nod to another custom, which used to be more commonplace, called "proofing", wherein a slave would take a sip of the master's drink before it touched his or her master's lips, in order to test it for poison or quality.
This is a controversial practice, and considered rude in most circles, as it implies that one's host is not to be trusted. Unless specifically ordered to do so, stick to the symbolic kiss on the side.
Another common gesture is to briefly press the cup to your lower abdomen. In this, you imply that you are offering yourself, as well as the wine, to the Master or Mistress. While it is implicit that you use comes with the cost of food or beverage, if the patron wishes, there are some circumstances in which you may wish to make it more explicit, and this is one way to do so. If you do this, it should be done BEFORE kissing the vessel.
You should then proffer the beverage to the master or mistress, holding it in both hands, with your arms raised high and your head lowered in deference.
Often, a slave may say something indicating their hope that they, their service, and the drink are found pleasing.
You might say something like, "I humbly offer you this (whatever the beverages is) in hopes that you find it refreshing" or, "I pray that you find your beverage and this slave pleasing", or many other such things.
Once the beverage has been taken, return to Nadu and wait for further instructions or dismissal.
The person may wish you to fetch something else, stay and converse or otherwise serve them, or go about your other duties.
If there are other people who need serving and not enough slaves present to tend to them and the person does not have a specific use for you, but does not dismiss you, you may (and should) beg to be excused so that you may go about your duties, always offering to return to their feet when you have finished, if they desire.
It is important to note that this is STANDARD, but in no way etched in stone. If you are commanded to serve something in a different fashion, do so, unless it goes directly against your owner's orders.
Remember, your number one priority is to be pleasing!