Hosting Diplomatic Receptions

By

Lilian Acom

Purposes of Entertaining Diplomats

• To obtain opinions and information from local residents and from other diplomats• To make friends that may prove useful• To enable heads and senior members of missions informally to sound out members of the ministry of foreign affairs

• To improve the public image of their country• To enable wives to meet and make friends with other wives

Seating

• Selected date preferably one that does not coincide with a national day or local religious festivals.

• Especially for official receptions,before invitations are despatched, a seating plan is worked out.

• Have a guest list and select guests that are not likely to clash

• Customs and practices of various communities should be taken in to consideration.

Seating ( Continued .. )

• Invitations

– Normally sent two or three weeks before the event

– Can be by sending printed fill in invitations– Can be informal by phone through secretaries – If in honour of someone, add the persons

name on the invitation

Types of Diplomatic Receptions

• Dinner – Guests are welcomed by host and hostess – When dinner is ready the hostess will lead the guests to

table – During the meal, it would appropriate for the host to

say a few words of welcome and for the senior to reply– Dinners are usually offered to honour

presidents,members of government or members of diplomatic corps.

Types of Diplomatic Receptions

( Continued .. )

• Buffets – most popular in recent times – Provides an opportunity to offer a variety of

dishes to meet various taste and dietary restrictions

– Can be formal or informal– Enables host and hostess to move more

effectively among their guests.

Types of Diplomatic Receptions ( Continued .. )

• Lunch – Invitation, and other arrangements are the same as for

diner– General atmosphere less formal– Guests normally invited at 1o’clock for 1:15 and leave

between 2:15 and 2:30

• Cocktails – Normally given in honour of someone– Generally hosted from 6:00p.m till 8:00p.m– Cocktail buffets state beginning time and not the ending

Types of Diplomatic Receptions ( Continued .. )

• Coffee – Simple and fairly formal– Enables wives to meet – Can either be in the morning or evening

• Tea– Tend to be formal– Invitation cards are normally given– Last approximately from 4:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m

Types of Diplomatic Receptions ( Continued .. )

• Vin d’Honneur – Honour an individual or group of people– Both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks are served– Quiet formal– Usually lasts for an hour

• Balls and Dances – Can either be dinner or supper dance– Not popular today but can be a charity ball or a ball

commemorating a historic event

Courtesy

• Introducing People– A gentleman is normally presented to a lady– A junior is always presented to a senior– When introducing two people,must be by name and say what they do.

• Visiting Cards– Performs functions on behalf of of owner– May be delivered personally or by post or by chauffeur

– May convey specific message such as:P.M: Pour Memoire      P.P- Pour Presentation

– P.m-pour memoire– P.r-pour remercier •      P.p- pour presentation

Wines and Liquors• Part of the tradition of diplomatic receptions in

many countries

• French and German wines are most popular

• Normally three categories:– Table wine– Fortified wines– Spiced wines

• Liquors:– Taken after a meal– Mostly have a brandy base

General Observations

• For Moslems and people of Judaic faith,pork and its products are un acceptable.

• Be very observant and find out about local customs

• Enquire about dietary restrictions.i.e vegetarians

Role of Guest and Conclusion

• Don’t bring a friend without first asking hostess

• Don’t be standoffish• Don’t over stay your welcome• Always say goodbye to your host and

hostess.• To conclude, diplomatic receptions are

basically there to make contacts thus improve international relationships.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Serres.J,1992, “Manuel Pratique de Protocole”, Courbevoie, edition de la biévre.

• R.G.Feltham, Diplomatic Hand book, 7 edition.

• Gandoiun.J,1998, “Guide du protocole et des usages”, Paris editions stock.

• Tuckerman N and N.Dunnann, 1995, “The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette”, Newyork, Doubleday.