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The “Black Tie” designation also implies the The tables and chairs at the head table must be
wearing of miniature medals on Mess-kit checked to make sure that they are firm and in
uniform and the wearing of ribbons. good condition. A spare chair is kept at the
side of the dining area. This is for the Director
The formality of the occasion should be of Music of the Band-in-Attendance.
maintained even for support personnel.
MR. VICE

He is usually a youngest or a Junior Officer
COCKTAIL PERIOD and is given the honour to propose the toast
during the dining-in on the instruction of the
During the cocktail period, conversation President, who will hit the gavel with a mallet
should be light and of short duration. When three times to summon Mr. Vice to propose
the signal is given for dinner, the members the toast.
enter the dining room and stand behind their
chairs. Some organizations prepare a special
punch at a ceremony with an elaborate TABLE MANNERS
mixture and tasting procedure in front of the
assembled mess. The formal dining-in and dining-out tradition
requires use of a head table or speaker’s table.
The presiding officer, President of the mess,
SEATING AND TABLE
ARRANGEMENTS sits in the centre with the most distinguished
guest at his or her right.

OIC Invitation and Seating Plan will be
responsible for the seating arrangement The next most distinguished person is on his
according to protocol and the labelling of or her left, and so on alternately across the
seats at the head table. The seating head table until all are accounted for in order
arrangement and layout should be displayed of relative rank or importance.
in the cocktail reception area in order that all
are informed of their respective seating The Guest of Honour and the President of the
arrangement. mess will be the first to join the head table.

The Host and the Dining President will be The table arrangements should be set up in a
seated at the head table. This is to ensure that manner most suitable to the dining area. The
proper etiquette is observed and Mr Vice will head table is usually a long single table.
sit at the end of the “finger table”, nearer to
the head table. No one should be seated across from those at
the head table. It is important that tables are