◇Thespeaker’sresponseshouldneverbeabouttheconcretepurposeofthevisitnorshoulditbetoself-promoteasthiswouldberegardedarrogant.
◇Thespeakershouldmakeuseoftheopportunitytobrieflydemonstraterespecttotheplacewheretheystand (), tothehouses (thetraditionalcarvedmeetinghouseanddiningroomarenamedbyancestorsandsoaregreetedaccordingly), togreetthehomepeople, andtoexplainwherehis/hergrouphavecomefrom (placeisimportanttoMaori).Thisshouldbefollowedbyasongfromthevisitors’ countrysothatthevisitors’ groupshouldsingtogether.
◇ “guide” them.
◇Oncethelastelderofthehomepeoplehasspoken, theywillsignaltothevisitorstocomeforwardinalinetoshakehands, kiss (once) onthecheekorhongi (touchnoses) withthehomepeople.
◇Afterthisthekitchengetsreadytocallpeopleintoeat.
◇Followingthefood, themeetingpropercanstart.
◇Itpaystobewatchfulandtofollowtheleadofothers, ortoprudentlyaskquestionsifnotsure.
◆ GiftGivingEtiquette
◇IfinvitedtoaKiwi’shouse, takeasmallgiftsuchasflowers, chocolates, orabookaboutyourhomecountrytothehosts.
◇Giftsshouldnotbecostly.
◇Giftsareopenedwhenreceived.
◆ DiningEtiquette
◇NewZealandersarerelaxedasisshownintheirtablemanners.
◇Themoreformaltheoccasion, themorerigidtheprotocol.
◇Waittobeshownwheretotakeaseat.
◇Mealsareoftenservedfamily-style.
◇Keepyourelbowsawayfromthetableandyourhandsabovethetablewheneating.
◆ TableManners
TablemannersareContinental—, however, ifyouadoptAmericantablemanners.
Suggestyouhavefinishedeatingbyplacingyourknifeandforkparallelonyourplatewiththehandlesfacingtotheright.
