Final answer:
Condiments should be offered promptly after guests request them, as part of good service etiquette during meal preparations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Condiments should be delivered to the guests immediately after they ask for condiments. The context provided from the passage indicates that the guests were preparing for a meal, which would typically involve setting the table and ensuring condiments and other necessary items are available. Good service etiquette dictates that requests for condiments should be fulfilled promptly to provide an enjoyable dining experience.
In order to deliver condiments to the guests, it is important to wait until they have requested them. This ensures that the condiments are delivered at the right time and to the right person. If the condiments were delivered immediately after the guests arrived, it would be presumptuous and may not align with their preferences or needs.