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Some great news…    

Diane Lair, founder and previous owner of Four Plus Four, has given birth to her first children’s picture book.   It is a delightful story about her little Westie, Miss Muggles.   The book is called   Miss Muggles, the Comical Dog.     Children of all ages are enjoying this story over and over again.    Grandparents, parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, anyone with kids’ in their lives, should buy a copy and share the Muggles’ book with them.  

For your copy call or email Diane Lair…      250 655-3446         dianelair@shaw.ca

The book costs $16.00 plus tax ($2.00).

Congratulations, Diane.

We wish you great success. 

I love these emails: 

Hi Angela,

Judy and I met at a fourplusfour dinner at Rosi’e Bistro Feb 8 2008 and hit it off right away. Tthe rest is now history and in early November we were married and are sharing the rest of our lives together. The dinner was the initial catalyst and the open and non threatening atmosphere helped us get to know each other quickly.

Thanks. You may now permanently remove Judy and myself Ron from your files.

Ron

“Angela Angela Angela :)

Hope you had a wonderful holiday away, and are feeling well rested.

Thank you so very much for all your care and support; thank you for being there for all of us.You may take me out of the system ~ I am just too happy to mess anything up by attending another dinner.Fritz and I are getting along like a house on fire; things are in a just meant to be state….and all thanks to you.We are so glad we had the opportunity to meet.  It really seems like things were meant to be. Warm Regards, Melody” 

Invaluable Dating Tips from Our Relationship Coach - Kim Sarrasin

Questions from Members and the General Public

I take great pride in creating dinners that have the potential of great conversation, good food and loads of fun with 6 people in attendance.   From time to time I get an email like this at 6:00 pm on the day of the dinner:    I’m sorry that I have to cancel so late…I’m not feeling well and I was hoping that I would feel better as the day went on.  I look forward to the next dinner.

It is impossible for me to find a replacement at that hour….I have performed the odd miracle with 2 or 3 hours notice…if I happen to be in my office on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon.  If you think you may have to cancel please do so at the first sign of sickness….that way I have the heads up to find a back up if you can’t make it.   By the way if you are cancelling 1-2 hours before please call the restaurant and let them know.  That way the 5 people will be able to get on with their Meal…. 

We at Four Plus Four encourage you to leave a post.  Let us know about some of your experiences. 

 Have fun, 

Angela

1.  Come to your dinners with a positive attitude.  Be prepared to have a good time regardless of all unexpected circumstances.  It is just dinner. 
2.  Never miss the opportunity to compliment or encourage someone.
3.  Refuse to speak negatively about others.  Complaining and shining hampers everyone’s fun.
4.  Have a forgiving view of people.  Believe that most people are doing the best they can.
5.  Keep an open mind.  Discuss, but don’t argue.  It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.
6.  Let your virtues speak for themselves.
7.  Cultivate your sense of Humour.  Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

We welcome your opinion.  Perhaps you have a comment to add to Dinner Attitude is Important?

1.  Include everyone in the conversation especially anyone that seems shy.
2.  It is rude to ask someone their age.  Don’t do it!
3.  Don’t discuss your illnesses, diseases or obsessive behaviors. 
4.  Remember when your mother made you paid a dollar for every bad word?  No swearing at the table.
5.  Don’t go on and on about how much you hate your family.
6.  Don’t talk about how you were dumped by all your former lovers.
7.  Don’t discuss bodily functions. 
8.  Don’t Discuss past relationships, family problems or exes.
9. Take note  of anyone not participating in the conversation.  Try and draw them out.  Ask yourself if you are dominating the conversations.   No one guest should do most of the talking.  Be a sincere and attentive listener when people are speaking.

Do you have any other do’s or don’ts?   We welcome your comments.  

1.  Punctuality speaks volumes about a person.  Give yourself time to find both the restaurant and a parking space so you can arrive 5 minutes early.

2.  Turn off cell phones, pagers and anything else that beeps.  Taking calls during dinner (even short ones) is rude.

3.  Don’t come to dinner in jeans, ball caps, t-shirts, runners, wrinkled or dirty clothing.  Your hair, hands, clothing and shoes etc. should be very clean.

From time to time I find myself using the wrong side plate, wine glass or coffee cup and upsetting the entire table order.  I have done some research on the subject and here goes: 

1.  Your Bread and Butter plate is to the left of your dinner plate.  Wine and Water is to your right. 
2.  More than one course?  Cuttlery is used from the outside in.  For example:  Your salad fork is the smaller of the two forks.   If the table is set with two knives the outside one is designed for your salad the second for your entree.  The waiter is trained to take the salad fork and knife away and you can assist the waiter by placing both your salad fork and knife on your salad plate, parallel to each other.   When you are finished your main course, place your fork and knife parallel to each other on your dinner plate.
3.  It is inappropriate to start eating with your napkin flowing from your wine glass.  So if the waiter does not put it in your lap…you should.  Speaking of napkins.  Tid Bit:  If you ever have the opportunity to dine with the Queen…she will drop her napkin to her right onto the floor….it is not an accident…DO NOT pick it up..she has completed her meal and she is signalling the waiter to pick up her plate.
4.  It is Good Manners to wait until everyone at your table has been served their meal before you start eating.

Special Dietary Needs

Embarrased about your Special Dietary Needs?  Don’t Be :)  The discomfort comes in while watching the rest of the table sit with their plates served for 10 minutes, waiting for yours to be served.

1.  Waiters are not mind readers and it is too late to tell them about your allergies as you are being served.    Best to tell your waiter when he approaches the table the first time.

2.  Try calling the restaurant ahead of time to find out what they can do…sometimes they are willing to take your order on the phone.

Do you have any tasty tid bits you could add…..???