[MR] How Cloven Fruit is Supposed to be done.

[RIKKER]

     Let's see here;  Cloven fruit is an art form.  It was and is a way of flirting and like all ways of flirting there are those who take pride in the stylish and skillful execution of Courtly Graces and those who have the manners of a wounded elephant in a china shop. 
   Cloven fruit is much the same as Kissing of the hand.  It is perfectly acceptable to politely refuse the offer, either to give or recieve.  With cloven fruit understanding the context in which it is offered and the venue in which it is passed around will do much to avoid embarassment.  If the venue is a feast as was the most common place to see Cloven Fruit,  It should be considered a light hearted flirt and responded to with a kiss on the hand or a peck on the cheek(very risque in period).  If the person takes you aside at a late evening event and offers it to you in private,  It is always good manners to ask what limitations the offering person has on the response.  Though this is not historically accurate, some people started to practice the "If you take the last clove you agree to go home with me" scenario.  They also happened to start pulling the clove bud with their teeth(someone say it in a movie).  You are supposed to pull the clove
 with your fingers.  whether you eat the bud is up to you.  That's when some became dis-illusioned with being arround when the Fruit was being passed.  I personally like the practice of
Fruit as a light hearted flirt.  I try to respond to an offer from a Lady with as much class and style as I can muster.  I always inquire as to the Lady's expected response and so my best to stay well within her range of comfort.  Just as in hand kissing,  You never leave a DNA sample the dryer and lighter the kiss the better.  Remember "Grace and Style will out!".
   I would personally love to see the courtly graces practiced more often by us all.  It makes what we are here to experience  richer andmore fulfillng.
   
   OK off the soapbox now.  Ending my ramble.
 


When all is said and done,the less said and the more done the better! 

Rikker
per pale counter ermine and ermine a Lion sejant efronte bearing a sheath of arrows a bag of coin a chief Or with three thistles proper.


When all is said and done,the less said and the more done the better! 

Rikker
per pale counter ermine and ermine a Lion sejant efronte bearing a sheath of arrows a bag of coin a chief Or with three thistles proper.