The Importance of Invitations

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

The Importance of Invitations

Invitations to formal dinners may be engraved or written by hand, or they may take the form of a card that is of general invitation. The invitation may even be telephoned depending what is most convenient for you. 


If you are invited to a formal dinner by mail you should answer it immediately so that you do not leave the hostess in frustration on when to expect your answer. Be polite and sincere when regretting to inform the host or hostess that you will not be able to attend their dinner. "I appreciate your invitation but I already made plans in advance that night, but I will look forward to any future dinner or invitation you may have," would be a perfect response when declining a conversation via telephone or a hand written response in the mail. To reiterate the politeness if you accept an invitation you are obligated to go. To accept a dinner at Mrs. Nobody's and then break the obligation upon being invited to dine with the Importants is inexcusable. But if you decline the invitation in the first place then you are free to go where ever you please. The rule is: Don't accept an invitation if you don't care about it. I know people that have fallen victim in this type of situation. Learning from others faults is beneficial to oneself. If for some unavoidable reason, a guests who has accepted a dinner invitation is forced to drop out at the last moment the hostess must try and fill in by inviting an intimate friend which is usually done over the phone. A person that receives such an invitation is virtually bound by the rules of good manners to accept if possible. Accepting the invitation will make the host or hostess pleased with your response and both parties will have an enjoyable night.

Posted by Eugene Vodovoz at 30 October 2011, 11:21 AM
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: formal dinner guests host hostess
 
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