[Artemisia] Desserts and rules lawyers

[Bruce Padget]

Baron Haaken writes:

This reminded me of a conversation I was part of at an
An Tir event many years ago. For those who did not
know the late Founding Baron of Blatha an Oir, Michael
was famous for many things, including his generous
hospitality, enough jewelry to fulfill a reaver's
deepest fantasies,?comfortably decadent albeit
non-period campsite (with the glaring mundanities
carefully hidden away), and some of the most?yummy
cheescakes known to man.

On the evening in question, as I was passing by,
Michael greeted me and asked me if I'd care for a
slice of his latest creation. I sorta of drooled out
the word "Cheesecake?" and went in. One of my
roistering companions made the mistake of saying "But
is that cheesecake period?"

Michael drew himself up in his seat, folded his arms
across his chest, cocked his head slightly,
sighed,?and said in a sweet yet withering voice "My
lord, many things in this encampment are not period.
However, the enjoyment of fine things and comfort is
period for me, as is simply being polite. If a slice
of my cheesecake offends your period sensibilities,
you won't be offered any."

Meanwhile,?I sat in obvious ecstacy, savoring every
delicious bite. My companion then slowly said "Well, I
suppose that I could force myself ... "

Michael replied "Force yourself? No, I could never
permit a visitor to my camp to force themself to enjoy
my hospitality. Haakon, would you care for a drop of
my Scotch? Or perhaps this liqueur? I find it goes
well with cheescake."

Being no fool, I accepted the Baron's offer, while he
fixed my companion with a glare and said "In my
private encampment, I am the sole arbiter of what is
period."

**********************

I can only judge on the evidence before me -- this
story.  What I see is a question from a guest (not a
criticism or accusation, a *question*) resulting in
the guest being rebuffed.  Think what a straight
answer to the question could have led to.  It was
possible that the cheesecake was entirely period, as
seen on this list.  Yes, a small lesson was taught (my
camp, my rules, don't question), but opportunites for
learning were missed.

Whatever else may be said of the gentleman's
hospitality, I cannot see this story as an example of
it.  

For every example of rudeness in the name of
authenticity, I can cite an example of rudeness in the
name of inauthenticity.  I see little benefit in
pursuing such a line of argument, unless we are now
the Society for Creative Snarking.  (I had originally
put a couple of examples here...then realized the
hypocrisy of doing so.)

As my dear friend Christian de Launey likes to say,
it's not that a gentleman is never rude.   He is never
rude unintentionally and without cause.  That said, as
a general rule, rudeness in the name of authenticity
is wrong, wrong, wrong.   What, then, of rudeness in
the name of inauthenticity? 

Regards,
Niccolo
bapadget at yahoo.com

P.S. The difference between this story and the one
related by Therasia?  Here, the villain of the piece
simply asked a question.  There, public criticism was
leveled.