15 Etiquette

Notice:

{I am not sure if I have tea lovers reading this part. I felt that I should simply state here that my words are not facts, just a 'mash-up of sorts. The reason being, is that this book has a mixed culture. Once again it is after the destruction of earth hundreds of thousands of years in the future on another planet. Cultures will obviously mix and/or clash. So if I have indirectly insulted any culture in this chapter and further, I want to now apologise. Below is the official chapter. }

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"Little Ra, our world can be said to be divided into four major areas among us humans. But the main two are simply those who eat with the chopsticks and those with knife and fork. For us who pay attention, we would not use a knife at the table but our hands, chopsticks and the spoon. Each bowl has its own cutlery. Seen as rude to use your personal chopsticks to take food from among the main dishes,"

The old meat's voice is pleasant, no power within but wise nevertheless.

Giving me a vague feeling of an ancient.

This in turn official caused me to stop referring to her as the old meat in my mind and simply refer to her as grandma.

" Grandma, then what of the other?"

"Your brother is much more proficient with that type of etiquette. For me, I have never bothered with the earthen Northern food much."

"Northern?"

"En, the world is noted like this North-above, South-below, West-left, East-right."

"Little Ra you will know them as the four cardinal directions."

I nodded, still not really understanding but wanting them to continue.

"Now back to the etiquette so we can begin eating. The fork held in your hand has three prongs and when not in used but still held in the hand is pointed down. One usually would not speak while dining, with food in the mouth or use the fork to point."

I nodded looking at the fork in my hand and then at the knife.

While grandma spoke I listen it did not take long to learn the difference, the knife and fork for meat and other lists of dishes that seemed to never end, while the spoon is used for mostly soup and some desserts.

Of course, it was then broken down some more but for now, I learned the basics and could eat without spilling much.

Having such a small body is an issue but really not too much of an issue.

Once the meal was finished I then followed by dabbing my mouth and wiping my hands with a damp cloth.

Thinking about all of this, it truly seems extremely complicated.

soon the meal came to an end, all that was left is the serving of tea.

A server appeared, following after were four others, these items thankfully were recognised because the thigh had mentioned it before.

"What the servants are doing now is called brewing tea. In our culture, it's usually used to show filial piety to the elder--a female to her in-law. This is then called a tea ceremony but what we will learn today are the main tea etiquettes."

"Big brother what is an in-law...oh and filial piety?"

I asked softly, both terms seemed so strange but it seems important so I tried my best to use.

"You are still young little Ra, grandma will teach you during your fourth year. What is important is taking note of the servant's tea brewing skills, as a female you will have to use this in the future."

I felt puzzled by this, why as a female must I learn this?

What of big brother?

I wanted to ask more but felt that it was not the time, mm, later, and so I sat and waited patiently.

Grandma, made a gesture in the direction of the server at the forefront, this server was joined with others who then laid out the items appropriately.

"Tea is Import to us, for we use it for various methods, relaxation, gatherings, marriage, filial piety among other things deemed not important enough to be mentioned."

First, a light purple cloth was placed on the table, smoothed without any wrinkles, that is as far as the eye could see. The servant stepped back and then three medium steps to the side.

Another stepped forward holding the other items, just then grandma spoke once again: "These items are called respectfully; the tea set itself consisting of the teapot accompanying cups, a separate pot to hold the hot water, a special jar to hold the auspicious tea leaves. Depending on the occasion more will be added but because it is for us, as a family and basically used only to accept the benefactress, you, Zephyra this is necessary."

I felt that when the servants began to proceed with the tea brewing everything seemed so complicated.

"Remember these words little Ra, drinking tea one must always be polite, patient, show respect; if not for your companion or the elder accompanying you to drink then think on respecting yourself as a person reflecting your self cultivation as a person from a noble or influential family,"

Grandma sat straight, her gaze was firm, u felt the air around her change causing me to become drawn by her entire demure before trailing to the servant preparing the tea.

"Little Ra understands grandma," I replied softly.

"The servant's demure is elegant, her entire form is straight, neither weak nor arrogant. This form is not bad but it can be better. In the end, she is just a servant, so all of this is fine..." while grandma spoke I nodded and agreed.

"On the left side, it is usually reserved for the guest of honour, continuing in order from the left directly to the right-hand side of the host..."