Golden News
Volume 14 Number 43                           9th May 2001
The Weekly Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile
www.rckgm.org
 
 Meeting on 2nd May, 2001
 
Attendance:  29 KGM Rtns., 
 
1 visiting Rtn., 
PP Eugene Ugagu - Refrigerat'n/Aircon. Engineering - Shomolu Nigeria
 
2 Guests of Rtns:-
Mr Ben Pasco (Past member! Welcome Back!) - HK - PP Bryan
Mr Ricard Wadira - USA - Rtn David
Business
Due to my late arrival, I missed most of this, but I remember that PP Vince spoke about the proceedings of the Council On Legislation and mentioned that he had entered our web site in the "District Best Web-Site Contest". Ball Chairman (Rtn. David, not Elissa as mistakenly reported in last week's bulletin - pardon David (:-) spoke to encourage more participation in the Ball (see repeat notice below) and PP Cassidy presented Rtn Carola with a Paul Harris Award.
The Speaker - Christa Koch-Kessler
 Getting Class into Your Social Skills & Etiquette Act
Ms Koch-Kessler, founder and principal of the Hong Kong Company "Class Act", is passionate about global food and wine trends and the finer things in life. Her string of credentials and sense of quality are the accumulation of an impressive 20 year track record in the hospitality industry. The talk on Cultivating impeccable social skills and improved etiquette, began with a cutting from what must be the most memorable scene in the film Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts' character is faced with escargots at a formal dinner. Dining with her sophisticated escort, played by Richard Gere, and his business cronies, she is stumped. In desperation she grasps the tongs and tries to copy the others, but only succeeds in catapulting the snail across the room. "Slippery little suckers," she giggles nervously. I was so busy practicing to hold my spoon right and keeping my elbows under control that I couldn't find my pen to right down all the points made but following are a few gleaned from the handouts, copies of which are still available for those not present.
  • Never leave the teaspoon in a cup
  • Never cut bread, always break it with your hands
  • Always hold a wine glass by the stem
  • Never leave your mobile phone on the dinner table
  • Certainly never answer a mobile at the table!
  • Chew with your mouth closed
  • Never talk with food still in your mouth
  • No elbows on tables
  • Never talk about war, race or religion
  • Napkins should be placed on the lap
  • Remember to polish your shoes
Every KGM Rotarian present appeared to agree with the general thesis of the speaker which was the improvement of the 'joie de vivre' or 'enjoyment of the finer things in life' which, as we, all, appreciate runs almost parallel with our club motto, as detailed for all the world to see in our web site, which is ... "Let's really help the needy in our community but, hey, there's no reason why we can't have a truck-load of fun while we're doing it!".
This Week's Talk - Allow Fragrance to Open Your Senses  with Christine Saunders
Christine is a Holistic Aromatherapist, trained in the UK who has been practising in Hong Kong for the past 8 years. In addition to aromatherapy treatments, she also gives introductory workshops to teach people to use aromatherapy on themselves, friends and family. 
Christine will be speaking today on aromatherapy, sharing her experience - what aromatherapy is and how it could help you relieve stress and boost your immune system with the busy lifestyle we all have in Hong Kong. See you all!!
Vincent
Repetition of Reminder from Rotarian Elissa re Ball Tickets!!
Please would members collect their tickets from me and also please PAY me? I am leaving for Oz on the 9th and will not be back till the 22nd and would like to get organized before leaving so that Bryan will not be left with a mess.
Also, those members who wish to eat a vegetarian on the night of the
ball to please either call or email ball chairman David or his secretary
Grace no later than the 22nd May 2001. The hotel needs the numbers by then.
Thank you very much.
Presidential Inspiration
Don't ever take down a fence until you know why it was put up
Joke of the Week
Restaurant Etiquette
Customer: Waiter, what's this fly doing in my soup?
Waiter 1: I'm not sure sir, because it's hard to see from a distance. Unlikely to be the back-stoke as his little wingies would get in the way. Probably the crawl, if I might hazard a guess sir.
Waiter 2: Shh! Not so loud sir. The other patrons don't have meat in their soups'
Waiter 3: There's a prize for the best alternative answer!!!
URCHIN