Good sense and etiquette

Everything will be as comfortable, graceful and undisturbed as possible if everyone uses their good sense. It is also well if there is consensus on the etiquette and some other rules. A few guidelines are given here.

General

In the Forodrim you endeavour to follow the customs of Middle-earth before the Dominion of Men, more than ever at a feast like this. You wear middle-earthly dress and use each other's middle-earthly names. You avoid things that feel like breaks with the ancient tradition.

As member of the Forodrim you wear your rank insignia; that is the rule always, and preeminently at ceremonies and banquets.

Give assistance if asked to, or if you see by yourself that something needs to be done; this will ensure a good celebration for all.

Ceremonies

Give your attention to what happens in the ceremonies. When a ceremony is performed, something essential is happening. With a loudly whispered joke you disturb the moment for yourself as well as for others.

If you are uncertain how to behave during the ceremonies, watch the Earls. They should know how to comport themselves, stand or sit.

During the ceremonies photography is prohibited for all except the Lord Picturer and the Vice Lord Picturer.

Banquets

After you have found out where you are placed, go straight there without running around. When the sitting has commenced, you should not leave your place for private reasons, except for accidents. For instance, a spilled glass of wine is a good excuse, but not that you want to smoke.

The toastmaster and nobody else proposes common toasts, announces speeches and has care of the official items.

There are six official items at every Forodrim-banquet. The first three ones – the Standing Silence (when you face west) at its start, Tolkien's toast and the Forodrim's toast – establish the frame within which the banquet is held (somewhat like the clef, key and time signatures in a score). It is good manners not to start toasting or drinking until after these three items. To quench your thirst with some water is alright, though.

At these official items, as at the three remaining ones – the toast for absent friends, the toast for the servers and the toast for the kitchen – it is not seen as good manners to add any exclamation after the toast, as is popular at other toasts.

The Standing Silence is not a toast, do not lift your glass. Like the toast for absent friends it is an occasion for silent inner thought. There is no shout of Eglerio either.

You are not supposed to start eating before those at the high table.

You should not initiate a toast with someone of higher rank, especially not someone at the high table. In contrast, it is courteous and expected to return, after a short while, a toast to someone who toasted you first. When you toast, preferrably use some middle-earthly expression like Eglerio (‘Praise’, ‘Cheers’) or Almien (‘For good fortune’, ‘Prosit’).

Do not scream to contact the person you wish to toast; better refrain from the toast.

When someone gives a speech it is not fitting to eat or drink. Put down knife, fork or spoon and listen in silence to the speech.

Be courteous and attentive to all your neighbours at table, not only to the lady/gentleman seated with you.