Background
Mess dinners originated about 200 years ago, the purpose being the same as it is now: to afford the opportunity for seniors and juniors to meet on a friendly but formal occasion; and, to enable the officer in command to speak to his subordinates as a group. The traditional formality of the dinner fosters a fellowship which would be lacking at less formal functions.
Function Status
A Mess Dinner is a parade. Therefore, it is an official Canadian Forces function at which dress, time of assembly, attendance, and other details shall be specified and have the legal standing of orders. Attendees shall be required to pay for the dinner. Guests are generally not expected to pay.
Official Host
The Official Host of the Mess Dinner shall normally be the Senior Officer/NCM of the organization sponsoring the dinner (eg. Base or Wing Commander, Base/Wing CWO), or his/her representative.
Guest of Honour/Senior Guest
The Guest of Honour, if there is one, shall be escorted to the mess by the Official Host, or met at the entrance of the mess if circumstances make this more appropriate.
PMC Greeting
The PMC shall meet the Official Host and the Senior Guest, if applicable, in the foyer of the mess and shall escort them into the ante-room where he/she shall present them to the mess membership.
Tradition
Mess Dinners are special events in our way of life; to ensure that we conduct them with dignity and enjoyment is a solemn, collective responsibility.
Function Status
A Mess Dinner is a parade. Therefore, it is an official Canadian Forces function at which dress, time of assembly, attendance, and other details shall be specified and have the legal standing of orders. Attendees shall be required to pay for the dinner. Guests are generally not expected to pay.
Official Host
The Official Host of the Mess Dinner shall normally be the Senior Officer/NCM of the organization sponsoring the dinner (eg. Base or Wing Commander, Base/Wing CWO), or his/her representative.
Guest of Honour/Senior Guest
The Guest of Honour, if there is one, shall be escorted to the mess by the Official Host, or met at the entrance of the mess if circumstances make this more appropriate.
PMC Greeting
The PMC shall meet the Official Host and the Senior Guest, if applicable, in the foyer of the mess and shall escort them into the ante-room where he/she shall present them to the mess membership.
Tradition
Mess Dinners are special events in our way of life; to ensure that we conduct them with dignity and enjoyment is a solemn, collective responsibility.
Sequence of Events
Assembly
Traditionally the timings for a Mess dinner are given as 1800 for 1830. This does not permit one to arrive between these timings. You must arrive prior to or at the earliest timing provided, arriving “sociably late” is not acceptable. The second timing indicates the start time for the dinner and the interim is time to socialise and meet guests prior to the dinner.
Upon arrival of the Host and Guest, the assembled personnel shall face the official host and the senior guest and remain attentive until the host has acknowledged their assembly by stating "Good evening, (ladies and) gentlemen", or by other appropriate remarks such as introducing the senior guest.
The assembled personnel may then proceed to cocktails, ensuring that all guests have been served first. Individual members may be assigned to act as escorts to other guests as a matter of courtesy.
All attendees, to the extent that numbers and time permit, should come forward and pay their respects to the Official Host and the senior guest.
Smoking is not permitted within the confines of the mess.
MESS CALL
A trumpeter or Piper, when available, shall make the appropriate calls to announce dinner.
Following the second call, the PMC shall escort the Official Host to the head table. Other guests and their escorts should then follow, and the remainder shall parade into the dining room.
The Vice-PMC shall ensure that all personnel move quickly into the dining room and shall take her position.
Once assembled, the Chief Steward shall discretely advise the Vice-PMC that everyone is present. At that point the PMC shall rap his gavel and ask the padre to say grace. At the completion of grace, all shall be seated.
DINNER
The matter of eating in public is more important to an officer than many realize.
Drawing designs on the tablecloth with knife and fork, crumbling of bread, beating a tattoo on the table with the silverware, playing with the wine glasses, etc., are all in bad taste. Gentle manners and quietness in eating mark a well-bred person;
Napkin. The table napkin is partly unfolded, not in view of those present but on the lap, and laid flat across the knees. Never tuck it in front of your tunic. After the meal the napkin is not folded, but laid carelessly on the table;
Silverware. The silverware is laid out in the order in which it is to be used, working from the outside in. The knives to the right of the plate, the forks to the left with the dessert utensils and sometimes the soup spoon placed at the top.
Do not gulp your water and wines.
The server will place plates in front of you from your right side and collect finished plates from your left.
Traditionally the timings for a Mess dinner are given as 1800 for 1830. This does not permit one to arrive between these timings. You must arrive prior to or at the earliest timing provided, arriving “sociably late” is not acceptable. The second timing indicates the start time for the dinner and the interim is time to socialise and meet guests prior to the dinner.
Upon arrival of the Host and Guest, the assembled personnel shall face the official host and the senior guest and remain attentive until the host has acknowledged their assembly by stating "Good evening, (ladies and) gentlemen", or by other appropriate remarks such as introducing the senior guest.
The assembled personnel may then proceed to cocktails, ensuring that all guests have been served first. Individual members may be assigned to act as escorts to other guests as a matter of courtesy.
All attendees, to the extent that numbers and time permit, should come forward and pay their respects to the Official Host and the senior guest.
Smoking is not permitted within the confines of the mess.
MESS CALL
A trumpeter or Piper, when available, shall make the appropriate calls to announce dinner.
Following the second call, the PMC shall escort the Official Host to the head table. Other guests and their escorts should then follow, and the remainder shall parade into the dining room.
The Vice-PMC shall ensure that all personnel move quickly into the dining room and shall take her position.
Once assembled, the Chief Steward shall discretely advise the Vice-PMC that everyone is present. At that point the PMC shall rap his gavel and ask the padre to say grace. At the completion of grace, all shall be seated.
DINNER
The matter of eating in public is more important to an officer than many realize.
Drawing designs on the tablecloth with knife and fork, crumbling of bread, beating a tattoo on the table with the silverware, playing with the wine glasses, etc., are all in bad taste. Gentle manners and quietness in eating mark a well-bred person;
Napkin. The table napkin is partly unfolded, not in view of those present but on the lap, and laid flat across the knees. Never tuck it in front of your tunic. After the meal the napkin is not folded, but laid carelessly on the table;
Silverware. The silverware is laid out in the order in which it is to be used, working from the outside in. The knives to the right of the plate, the forks to the left with the dessert utensils and sometimes the soup spoon placed at the top.
Do not gulp your water and wines.
The server will place plates in front of you from your right side and collect finished plates from your left.
BREAK
On occasions the PMC may decide that a short break is needed.
Depending on several factors the PMC may choose to have the break before or after the passing of the port. Service may be delayed until all diners have returned to their chairs.
Diners having to leave the dining room shall do so quietly and in an orderly manner.
At the expiration of the break, the PMC shall rap his/her gavel for attention.
Note for the break, the PMC shall announce the head table members will leave the dining room first.
PASSING THE PORT
After the last course has been served and the tables have been cleared or after the break, port decanters shall be placed on the tables.
Mess Manager/Chief Steward shall indicate to the PMC that the port is ready to be passed. At that point the stoppers shall be removed,
PMC will pour a small amount of port into his glass, taste it, and pass the decanter to the left. This indicates that the port may be passed.
Port decanters shall be passed to the left, and the decanter shall not be placed on the table until it requires replenishment or has reached the end of the table.
Once port has been poured into the glass, it shall not be touched until it is time for the Loyal Toast.
LOYAL TOAST
The Mess Manager/Chief Steward will indicate to the PMC that all have been served port, the PMC shall then rap his gavel for attention, all conversation shall cease, the PMC shall rise, and shall announce to the Vice-PMC, “Madam la vice président, La Reine du Canada”.
The Vice-PMC will then rise and announce in the other official language, “Ladies and gentlemen, The Queen of Canada"
At that point all personnel and guests shall rise and shall remain standing at attention until all bars of "God Save The Queen” have been played (if a band is present) then the assembly shall pick up their glass of port and hold it at waist level announcing individually, in French or English, "The Queen”/"La Reine”, and take the Loyal Toast.
Glasses shall be lowered to the table, and the assembly shall be seated.
MARCHES
When you hear the March that represents your Command and or Branch, each assembled guest shall stand to attention, and once the march has been played shall pick up their glass and take the salute. It is also permitted that if you have served with a branch to stand up and participate in the toast
INTRODUCTIONS BY PMC
After the last toast, coffee and/or liqueurs may be served.
It is also customary for the PMC and/or the host to recognize the serving staff and drink a toast with the Chief Cook.
The PMC will then make any announcements appropriate to the occasion, and introduce the Official Host if the latter wishes to speak.
The Official host will introduce the Guest of Honour.
The PMC, Official Host and Guest of Honour are not to be interrupted during their remarks.
DEPARTING THE DINING ROOM
When all speeches have been concluded and the Official Host has indicated to the PMC that it is time to depart the dining room, all in attendance shall rise and remain standing until the Official Host, Senior Guest, PMC, and head table guests have moved from the dining room.
AFTER DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
After adjournment to the ante-room, the formal aspects of the Mess Dinner are considered to have been concluded.
The Official Host and guests may engage in conversation or such games and skits as may be appropriate to the mess and the occasion.
This informal aspect of the mess dinner should counter- balance the preceding formality. There is considerable scope for enjoyment within the broad parameters of avoiding obscenities, insults, destructive activities, or gambling.
Good humour and camaraderie should be the theme in arranging post-dinner activities. Some personnel and guests will wish to continue with conversation; one of the benefits of a mess dinner is that it should provide the time and setting for frank, open discussion, particularly between senior and junior personnel.
Again, while senior personnel should permit latitude and encouragement for this kind of communication, rudeness and deliberate offensiveness will not be tolerated.
On occasions the PMC may decide that a short break is needed.
Depending on several factors the PMC may choose to have the break before or after the passing of the port. Service may be delayed until all diners have returned to their chairs.
Diners having to leave the dining room shall do so quietly and in an orderly manner.
At the expiration of the break, the PMC shall rap his/her gavel for attention.
Note for the break, the PMC shall announce the head table members will leave the dining room first.
PASSING THE PORT
After the last course has been served and the tables have been cleared or after the break, port decanters shall be placed on the tables.
Mess Manager/Chief Steward shall indicate to the PMC that the port is ready to be passed. At that point the stoppers shall be removed,
PMC will pour a small amount of port into his glass, taste it, and pass the decanter to the left. This indicates that the port may be passed.
Port decanters shall be passed to the left, and the decanter shall not be placed on the table until it requires replenishment or has reached the end of the table.
Once port has been poured into the glass, it shall not be touched until it is time for the Loyal Toast.
LOYAL TOAST
The Mess Manager/Chief Steward will indicate to the PMC that all have been served port, the PMC shall then rap his gavel for attention, all conversation shall cease, the PMC shall rise, and shall announce to the Vice-PMC, “Madam la vice président, La Reine du Canada”.
The Vice-PMC will then rise and announce in the other official language, “Ladies and gentlemen, The Queen of Canada"
At that point all personnel and guests shall rise and shall remain standing at attention until all bars of "God Save The Queen” have been played (if a band is present) then the assembly shall pick up their glass of port and hold it at waist level announcing individually, in French or English, "The Queen”/"La Reine”, and take the Loyal Toast.
Glasses shall be lowered to the table, and the assembly shall be seated.
MARCHES
When you hear the March that represents your Command and or Branch, each assembled guest shall stand to attention, and once the march has been played shall pick up their glass and take the salute. It is also permitted that if you have served with a branch to stand up and participate in the toast
INTRODUCTIONS BY PMC
After the last toast, coffee and/or liqueurs may be served.
It is also customary for the PMC and/or the host to recognize the serving staff and drink a toast with the Chief Cook.
The PMC will then make any announcements appropriate to the occasion, and introduce the Official Host if the latter wishes to speak.
The Official host will introduce the Guest of Honour.
The PMC, Official Host and Guest of Honour are not to be interrupted during their remarks.
DEPARTING THE DINING ROOM
When all speeches have been concluded and the Official Host has indicated to the PMC that it is time to depart the dining room, all in attendance shall rise and remain standing until the Official Host, Senior Guest, PMC, and head table guests have moved from the dining room.
AFTER DINNER ENTERTAINMENT
After adjournment to the ante-room, the formal aspects of the Mess Dinner are considered to have been concluded.
The Official Host and guests may engage in conversation or such games and skits as may be appropriate to the mess and the occasion.
This informal aspect of the mess dinner should counter- balance the preceding formality. There is considerable scope for enjoyment within the broad parameters of avoiding obscenities, insults, destructive activities, or gambling.
Good humour and camaraderie should be the theme in arranging post-dinner activities. Some personnel and guests will wish to continue with conversation; one of the benefits of a mess dinner is that it should provide the time and setting for frank, open discussion, particularly between senior and junior personnel.
Again, while senior personnel should permit latitude and encouragement for this kind of communication, rudeness and deliberate offensiveness will not be tolerated.
Dinner Etiquette
The dinner is a time to appreciate the fellowship and conversation of fellow personnel and guests, to savour good food and wine, and to enjoy relaxed formality in an elegant setting.
It is important that the unique atmosphere of the Mess Dinner not be disturbed or degraded in any way by immature or offensive behaviour.
The PMC is to ensure that a high standard of decorum is maintained, if necessary by expelling any member whose behaviour is unacceptable. No one may leave the dining room without first obtaining permission from the PMC.
Keep in mind that varying levels of decorum may be observed within elements depending on the location of the dinner, the presence of guests, the purpose of the dinner, and a myriad of other reasons. Erring on the side of caution is always best, despite being regaled with tales of past dinners at the mess bar in preceding months. Learning to read the situation and the CO’s mood in this regard is as valuable a social grace as any a young officer might acquire as a subaltern (not to mention learning who’s example to follow in order to minimize the effects of post-dinner fallout).
DON’TS:
It is important that the unique atmosphere of the Mess Dinner not be disturbed or degraded in any way by immature or offensive behaviour.
The PMC is to ensure that a high standard of decorum is maintained, if necessary by expelling any member whose behaviour is unacceptable. No one may leave the dining room without first obtaining permission from the PMC.
Keep in mind that varying levels of decorum may be observed within elements depending on the location of the dinner, the presence of guests, the purpose of the dinner, and a myriad of other reasons. Erring on the side of caution is always best, despite being regaled with tales of past dinners at the mess bar in preceding months. Learning to read the situation and the CO’s mood in this regard is as valuable a social grace as any a young officer might acquire as a subaltern (not to mention learning who’s example to follow in order to minimize the effects of post-dinner fallout).
DON’TS:
- Smoke during the meal,
- Commence a meal before the PMC, who will likely pause until the head table has been served;
- Discuss political or other controversial subjects;
- Act in a boisterous manner;
- Propose a toast;
- Talk after the PMC summons attention until he has finished speaking; and
- Leave the table during the meal unless permitted to do so by the PMC.
Mess Dress
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Members of the Canadian Armed Forces:
No.2 Mess Kit or No.2B Mess Service (DEU with White Shirt and Bow Tie Replacement) Cadets C-8 Mess Dress Civilians Formal Wear, Business suit at minimum and similar for women. May be relaxed by the host |
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