4.2 Dramatisation  (Page 2/3)

How you seat your guests can make all the difference between a rip-roaring success and a damp squib. A little knowledge of the art of placement can make your gatherings warm occasions, bringing people together and keeping warring factions at peace.

Problems can arise because nowadays we rarely bother with seating plans, leaving it to guests to find their own place, says Feng Shui master Lam Kim Churn.

“If you let people seat themselves, they can end up in some very awkward arrangements,” he says.

Feng Shui expert, Sarah Surety agrees: “The way you position people will undoubtedly influence their behaviour. For example, if you have guests who are normally quiet and timid, place them so they have their back to the wall with an excellent view of the door. This is the strongest position around the table and they will feel in control and not vulnerable, and you may well find they become the life and soul of the party.”

“Conversely, if you have rather overwhelming guests, placing them nearest the door, with their back to it, which will usually make them a little quieter.”

Feng Shui In Action

Before trying Feng Shui on your family, let’s apply Feng Shui seating principles on paper.

1. Read the following Feng Shui instructions.

2. Draw a sketch of the seating arrangement according to what you have read.

3. Do your sketch in colour.

The following people are guests at the table:

Mr and Mrs Smith (the hosts)

Johnny – a 16-year old rebellious teenage son

Grandpa John

Grandma Mary

Sarah – a 10-year old daughter (very shy)

Uncle Tim

Aunt Jean

Feng Shui Seating-Arrangement Guide: Lay your table with care to ensure that a large family gathering runs smoothly.

The tablecloth and napkins should ideally be in warm earth colours such as gold, beige or brown, which will support nourishment and acceptance. These colours tend to encourage those who are shy, while anchoring anyone more fierily.

If there is possible tension within your family, make sure you have a soft flower arrangement in the middle of the table, which will help to calm everyone. Arrange your flowers in a glass bowl so the water, another positive influence, is clearly visible.

If the host and hostess sit next to each other, they can create a strong bond of support. A difficult or irascible child or relative will tend to be more restrained if placed next to the host or hostess.

Grandparents or other relatives you want to make sure feel at ease should be seated opposite the host and hostess – a position which shows them respect. Place the family members likely to be the most easy-going in a ‘neutral’ position.

Article about Feng Shui taken from Woman’s Value

What do you think?

Do you think the Feng Shui methods will really ensure a peaceful and successful celebration at the table? Explain your answer.

Let’s pretend a bit

Your parents will allow you to celebrate your sixteenth birthday party on the beach. It will be supervised by parents. You hope to have a braai and beach fun. You are sending out a casual, informal invitation. Design and make this invitation.