Pass the Port?

It tends to get to me and stays there..... :D

Gentlemen (and port-drinking ladies), if I may put my tuppence worth in on this subject?
Having spent 24 years in the British army and attended, and hosted, many functions I have observed many variations on the etiquette of that most post-worthy subject of port and it's travels.
There are a number of issues to remember:
1. Decantars at Mess functions should always be flat bottomed. This is a hat-tip to it's original method of travel to Great Britain from Portugal via ship, where it was more stable during transit.
2. As such it became 'the norm' to maintain contact between the decantar and the table to ensure none of the precious liquid was spilt during the pour. This again was continued on land, possibly as a habit, but more likely to avoid drunken soldiers missing the glass whilst pouring.
3. At stag functions it is generally the custom to pour one's own glass and then that of the person to one's left. This is a show of comradeship and avoids a fight kicking off before the toast (usually).
4. On Guest Nights the same applies but usually because it shows us to be gentlemen of the highest order, until after the meal when all bets are off!
5. Lifting the decantar from the table, or passing it to the right, during the first passage are tantamount to one being considered a Cad (chav in today's lingo) and should be discouraged, preferably by use of the Mess Webley, but subsequent pourings after the toasts are acceptable. Even passing across the table can be acceptable but hoarding the port is only allowed should you be willing to face suitable punishment.
6. The previous postings regarding the stopper are correct, as is the mention of water for those who do not partake of this fine drink.

Having said all the above it is absolutely fine for individual cap-badges to amend the format as they see fit as nothing is set in stone on this subject and like all good traditions a single event on a night may justify a new format. I am a traditionalist by design but understand that all traditions begin with a single act and there is nothing to say that we, today, cannot begin new traditions. Except for the RAF who don't have traditions, only habits.
As an aside, I know from personal experience that none of the above is relevent to the Officers' Mess as they have no standards or traditions regarding this or many other subjects and it appears that anything is acceptable (even leather trousers for ladies attending formal functions) and as such can have no input to this thread.....even if they try!

It is purely down to that Regiment's traditions, some like the RLC do not have a code/practice/policy except that to pass it to the left and a lady never pours her own.

Fellow ARRSers, many thanks for your enlightening posts. After a few toasts with gentlemen wearing scarlet it would seem that opinion through the years remains unchanged. As long as the port is shared amongst comrades the rest remains in the margins.

I thank you all and raise a glass to your good health.

I pass it to the left and that's about it. I sometimes lift it off the table just to annoy all the stiff pricks who get excited by such things. Loosen up fellas.

The wife informed all in the mess that the sherry tasted nice
The RSM says "We havent got sherry have we "
HEART_STOPPER says "2 more bottles please barman"
Big mouthed friggin splitarse

Originally Posted by Flying Felix

It is purely down to that Regiment's traditions, some like the RLC do not have a code/practice/policy except that to pass it to the left and a lady never pours her own.

Could that be because the RLC is a plastic Corps with a trivial history, soon to be disbanded and revamped into yet another evolution of the RASC?

Didn't you start off life as a Scaley anyway?

An excellent thread which I am now borrowing for a function...

Originally Posted by Pub_Regular

...Decantars at Mess functions should always be flat bottomed. This is a hat-tip to it's original method of travel to Great Britain from Portugal via ship, where it was more stable during transit...

I assume that it was transported in casks/barrels/kegs or some suchlike? So the hat tip would refer to the ships compliment consuming said port???

Brilliant quotes ref RAF & Officers, forgive me but I have to use them.

Originally Posted by Trollage

Could that be because the RLC is a plastic Corps with a trivial history, soon to be disbanded and revamped into yet another evolution of the RASC?

Didn't you start off life as a Scaley anyway?

You do know this thread was last used about 6 years ago?

I know a few members of the plastic Corps (I was RAOC but don't really give a shit except for attending the Big Party) who were seriously injured or killed in NI, Iraq and AFG so could I kindly invite you to take your head for shit you knobber.

So we're forbidden from commenting on old threads or has drinking port gone out of fashion??? Oh wait you're RLC aren't you????

And as for losing people I am well aware of the loses taken, I imagine probably a lot closer than you’ve ever been.

My view is I have observed the hierarchy of RLC singularly fail to support a trade while shamelessly making mileage on their deaths and injuries. Unless you have some proof to the contrary take your whingeing face for a shit!!!