Official Dinners
This is part of a series I've been wanting to do for a long time so I am
excited I am able to have Eugene do this for my blog. It is about
etiquette as was appropriate in the Victorian Era (1837–1901). During
that time, culturally there was a transition away from the rationalism
of the Georgian period and toward romanticism and mysticism with regard to religion, social values, and the arts. The era is popularly associated with the values of social restraint. What? Social restraint? What's that?!? So we move on....thank you for reading.
Love, George
Love, George
Official Dinners
The Duties of the Hostess
When Mrs. Diplomat, wife of the Ambassador to France gives a dinner, it means little effort on her part beyond deciding on the date and the guests. When going through the dinner list the hostess asks her secretary to invite three of four families that are close, and four other couples as well as the senator and his wife. She also picks out three or four additional names to be substituted for those who regret the invitation. Then the hostess should turn to the "younger" list to search for a few amusing or good-looking ones to give life and charm to her dinner. After all guests are approved by the host and secretary they are sent out. The hostess sends word to the cook that there will be twenty-four people on a certain date, and later, when the menu is submitted to her, makes whatever changes or suggestions she wishes. The hostess does not need to think about her table, which the butler will arrange properly, but many times she will give it extra care and a personal touch, possibly in the arrangements of the flowers or the details of the centerpiece.
The Duties of the Host
The host that holds an official position may have more to say in the planning of a dinner than the man in private life, whose wife generally makes all the decisions. If the host is in the diplomatic corps he may for instance be ordered by his government to entertain important visitors and may be told in what way and to what extent he is to do so. The hosts wife takes care of the details of food, service, etc. as usual, but follows his suggestions as to the date, what officials are to be invited, and other important matters specific to the occasion. When the list is official his wife will, as at any dinner, choose guests who will be most congenial to the ones that must be invited. When guests start to arrive, the host stands near his wife and shakes hands with them after she has greeted them. If the dinner is in honor of a prominent person, he introduces him to a few people immediately so that he is not left unattended while others are arriving. Since it is an official dinner, the responsibility of further introductions lies with the host more than it does at a private dinner, although if it is a couple who are being entertained, his wife must see that the lady of honor is not left out. It is the duty of the host to offer the first toast if the occasion calls for one.
Posted by Eugene Vodovoz at 22 October 2011, 10:26 AM 
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: official dinners host hostess
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: official dinners host hostess
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