protocol and etiquette presented by: yadav khanal resource person institute of foreign affairs
TRANSCRIPT
Protocol and Etiquette
Presented by: Yadav Khanal
Resource Person Institute of Foreign Affairs
Protocol and EtiquettePoints to be touched upon may include, among
other things:
AppointmentsReceiving/seeing off guests (greetings)Holding meeting/exchange of communicationUse of the car/flagDress codeSitting posturesHosting/attending lunch/dinnersInvitationsMiscellaneous
Protocol and EtiquetteAppointments:
Officials have to clarify the objective of meeting while seeking appointments. In the case of meeting with diplomats or foreigners the channel of Foreign Ministry or Diplomatic Mission should be used through Formal request or telephone call.
Protocol and EtiquetteGreetings
Namaskaar: In Nepal or elsewhere we may do Namaskaar first and shake hand later or shake hand straight away
Bend your head while doing namaskar or shaking hands with guests and seniors
Handshakes: hand shakes should be firm with men and less so with ladies and do so only after they raise their hands
Hugging: In Arab/Muslim cultures Kissing in most European Countries In Turkey, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, women’s hands are
kissed while greeting (limited to conservative upper class), started in Eastern Europe
Remember the old maxim: when in Rome do as the Romans do i.e. follow the local way of doing things in a country
Protocol and Etiquette
Receiving/seeing off of counterpart Receive guest (s) generally at the entrance of your
door, may receive at the door of car/at the airport See off at the exit of your room, again, may
accompany the guest up to the car if he/she is of appropriate counterpart. Sometimes, we may come up to the car door and see off to give importance/special treatment
Depending upon the importance and status of visiting guests they may be received at the airports as well
Protocol and EtiquetteWhile Holding meeting
Start the meeting with warm welcome Recall the earlier meetings if held beforeStart and end with very positive noteNever say no while responding/reacting to a
proposal/idea expressed by the counterpartMay say, we will give thought to the matter, we
may get back on the matter in due course, We may hold consultation with our head quarter
and come back with our appropriate response During the meeting, only the leader to speak,
others to listen unless authorized by the leader
Protocol and EtiquetteUse of car/flag
The flag car should be put next to the side of driver’s seat
VIP should be seated in the side of the flag, next to the side of driver’s seat behind
There may be different practices in countries with Left hand/Right hand drive
While sharing the car the Senior/VIP/ Visiting guest must be requested to take the seat first
Protocol and EtiquetteDress Code
White tie dinner (most formal with decoration, popular in Britain
Formal Nepali dress can be used by Nepali official instead of white tie.
Black tie dinner ( bow tie), with black suit: in formal dinners
Nepali dress can also be worn instead of black tie.
Protocol and Etiquette• National dress: Daura suruwal, coat, topi;• Lounge suit/informal: dark lounge suit, dark
suits in charcoal, dark grey or navy blue are best. Brown is generally not worn.
• Smart Casual: with tie and coat (combination), looking smart, generally prevalent in South Asia
• Casual: Generally, without tie or coat, free style (with shirt and pant- no half pant and vest please !), tie and coat may be used depending on the weather
Protocol and EtiquetteShirts/ties combination
Plain shirt (white and pastel shades)-striped or Check tie or patterned tie
Check/striped shirts-plain tieGood quality leather shoes/ generally laced
shoes on formal occasions, Black socks are generally preferredThe lower button of a coat is usually left
undoneButtons must be undone while seated
Protocol and EtiquetteSitting postures
How to sit in front of VIPS/dignitaries Upright position/alertNo crossed-legged in front of VIPs/dignitariesNo leaning against the sofaAlways keep the guests at the right side of
host
Protocol and EtiquetteHosting/attending lunch/dinners
Seating arrangements must be carefully arranged, Chief host and chief guest must be seated across the table and arrangements for other delegates should be made accordingly on the basis of seniority
Sending out invitations well in advance with date, time, venue and dress code clearly indicated at the card
Seeking and sending RSVPs Find out nos. of Veg/non-veg guestsAscertaining type of lunch/dinners
(formal/sit-down/buffet)Draw /fix appropriate menu depending on
season/guestsPunctuality for the event-reach on time and do not get
embarrassed by being undue tardy
Protocol and EtiquetteLight drinks before the dinner/lunchPre-dinner drinks include: whiskey, gin, sherry
(sweet/dry wine from Spain), vermouth, vodka, red and white wine, juice and other soft drinks
Drinks at the formal (seated) dinners include as follows:Soup-dry sherry or MadeiraFish/chicken-white wine Red meat-red wine Dessert-port, sweet wine or champagneCheese-port
Protocol and EtiquetteRed wines, port, Madeira, and sherry is served
in room temperatureBeaujolais, very dry sherry- sometimes chilledChampagne, white wine, rose wine- served coldAfter dinner drinks include: brandy, cognac,
armagnac, liqueurs (cointreau, drambuie, benedictine, crème de menthe etc)
Pre-lunch drinks: gin, beer, punch, campari, vodka, wines etc
Protocol and EtiquetteNo of glasses/forks/knives/spoons are
required depending on the nature of the dinners/luncheon etc
Similar number of plates are required for dinners/luncheons depending on the type of luncheon/dinners
Generally side plates are kept at the left hand side of your table
Forks/knives are to be used from outside -in
Protocol and EtiquetteSpeech/remarks at banquet/dinners and luncheonsGenerally short speech/remarks are made at the
official banquets/dinners/luncheonsEven in informal settings, short remarks are made, so
the main host/guest should be prepared to speak a few words
Generally speech/remarks are made just after the meal is over and before pudding/dessert is served
Initiate talks of common interest while on dining tableNever ask about age, marital status or number of
children specially with ladies
Protocol and EtiquetteMiscellaneous
Tie not (s)- could be single/double depending on the size and length as well as the likes of the user
Tie pin- may be used as per user’s wishesPutting handkerchief at the top pocket of coat
matching the tieTopi- Generally may not go with suit, but these
days it is quite often used. Put your all pens into the inside pocket of your
coat
Protocol and EtiquetteWhile wearing coat, the middle button is fastened while
standing if it is a three button coat, unbutton when sittingThe upper button is fastened if it is two button coatDon’t slurp while taking tea/coffeeUse the forks with left hand and knife with right hand
without clinking it or making unpleasant soundNo picking nose/ear during the event or make any noiseExchange gifts, if any, after the signing of the
minutes/agreement/MOUs etc. Gifts may be exchanged through diplomatic missions or protocol officer later
Protocol and EtiquetteDo’s and don’ts
Do’sStand up whenever some one enters a room.
Stand up for introduction, greetings, leave taking
Hold door open for the lady, hold the chair for her when she sits or rises from table
Help the lady in and out of her coatBe polite and always appreciativeGive preference to you seniors
Protocol and EtiquetteDon’tsDon’t make noises with your cutlery or waive
them when talkingAvoiding coughing, scratching, belching or
blowing your noseNever speak with your mouthful or ask a question
to a person sitting beside you just when the person has taken food in the mouth. Do not chew with your mouth open
Sip the wine without making any noiseDo not gargle while drinking water
Protocol and EtiquetteDon’ts Do not spread your elbows while eating and
also do not put it on the table during diningNever tie the napkin around the neckDo not poke your teeth with a toothpick or
fingernailDo not slurp your soup, gnaw at bones or lick
your fingersAt buffet, do not pile food on your plate, you
can always go for second or third time
Protocol and EtiquetteThe qualities that a diplomat should possess
may be summed up as follows:D-Diligence, discretionI-Intuition, intelligenceP-Perseverance, polish, punctualityL- Language proficiencyO-Observation powersM-MannerlyA-Adaptability, acumenT-Tenacity, tact
Thank You !