Ms. Monsod

The Intro to Theatre class is researching the WASP culture as part of their studies of AR Gurney’s The Dining Room. Here is a hilarious link on WASP manners and etiquette. It is an interview on Wordsmoker.com under the subheading, “The Wasp Entertains.”

The True Wasp (Part II)

Wordsmoker: Because you have a craving to write (2010, October 15). Retrieved October 21, 2010 from http://wordsmoker.com/2010/10/15/the-true-wasp-part-2/.

Here are tips on table manners from Wiki:

MANNERS

• The fork is held in your left hand and the knife is held in your right when used at the same time
• It is not acceptable to use your fingers to push food onto your fork, nor to handle most food items.
• Drinks should always be to the right of the plate with the bread plate to the left.
• Do not start eating before the host does or instructs guests to do so. At meals with a very large number of people, it is acceptable to start eating once others have been served.
• When finished, place the knife and fork together at six o’clock with your fork on the left (tines facing down) and knife on the right, with the knife blade facing in. This signals that one has finished.
• Never blow your nose on your napkin. Place it on your lap and use it to dab your mouth if you make a mess.
• It is considered rude to answer the telephone at the table. If you need to take an urgent call, excuse yourself and go outside.
• Always ask for permission from the host and excuse yourself if you need to leave the table. You should place your napkin on your seat until you return. It is considered common courtesy for all gentlemen at the table to stand when a lady arrives or leaves the table.
• Never lean across somebody else’s plate. If you need something to be passed, ask the person closest to it. If you have to pass something, only pass it if you are closest to it and pass it directly to them if you can.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners#United_Kingdom

Yummy Republican cookies

The Intro to Theatre class is researching the WASP culture as part of their studies of AR Gurney’s The Dining Room. Here is Miguel’s advice regarding WASP Politics:

WASPs, or White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, in their prime, were major figures in the American Republican Party. They generally leaned toward the more liberal side of the Republican party, having “internationalist views” concerning foreign policy, supporting social programs, and having a liberal opinion concerning racial integration. Much of the WASP population supported the “Rockefeller Republican” party, favoring “temperamental conservatism”, meaning that they oppose policies considered to be far right, or ultraconservative, but are still against certain left-wing policies and ideas such as socialism. They have more moderate views on politics, having a usually center-right policy. The term “Rockefeller Republican” has fallen into disuse nowadays, since the man for which the party was named died in 1979. Today, it is more common to refer to such a party as “moderate republicans”, “liberal republicans”, or “republicans in name only (RINO)”. WASPS and other Rockefeller Republicans were advocates of Wall Street and big business, favored balanced budgets, were not averse to raising taxes, and supported state colleges and universities

Sources:
1980s, By The. “White Anglo-Saxon Protestant : Related Political Culture.” 1000s of Museums Online : MuseumStuff.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2010 from http://plumbot.com/white_anglo-saxon_protestant.html#Related_political_culture
Roberts, By Sam. “Rockefeller Republican.” The Big Apple. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. .
“WASP – Encyclopedia Article – Citizendium.” Welcome to Citizendium – Citizendium. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. .