March views March 15. Julius Caesar was assassinated (44 BC) March 15, 44 BC. e. In the theater of Pompey, before a meeting of the Senate, Gaius Julius Caesar was killed. He and Napoleon are two symbols of political and military greatness that have excited the best minds of the last two centuries; and if ardent

A reception is a widely accepted form of organizing work meetings that allows you to discuss topics in a relaxed atmosphere that, for a variety of reasons, are undesirable to discuss at the official level.

So, the techniques serve to establish, maintain and develop contacts between business partners and friends, officials and foreign colleagues, representatives of various institutions, firms and scientific and technical circles, cultural figures.

Receptions are held to commemorate any events, in particular holidays, anniversaries; in order to honor outstanding individuals, delegations, organizations; in honor of signing any documents, etc.

For a person doing business, the ability to combine solving work problems with a meal is one of the most effective ways achieve success.

In business life, breakfast, lunch, and dinner play a significant role. Each option has its own rules. Of course, there are rules that apply in all cases, universal ones, so to speak, for example, general norms of behavior at the table, but there are also some subtleties that a business person must be well versed in.

Business lunch- a great opportunity to get to know your clients, colleagues, managers or subordinates better. By the way, it is a business lunch that is considered the most decent for a business meeting between a man and a woman.

Since business success these days depends almost entirely on the ability to develop business relationships, an informal atmosphere and extra time spent at lunch with a partner should be much more effective in promoting your career than short meetings in a hurry, in the office, on the street, in in public places or faceless telephone conversations.

However, there are also pitfalls in organizing a business lunch. You should be wary of: showing that you do not know how to behave properly at the table - this will undermine your prestige; chatting too much to your interlocutor about the details of your personal life - this will destroy your professional image;
drink too much alcohol - they may think that you have problems with this; In addition, someone who drinks immoderately causes problems for those around them: he is annoying, poorly controlled, and does not control his words and actions.

There is one important detail about business lunches that should not be forgotten: you should not throw the phrase “Let's have lunch together sometime” to your business colleagues right and left unless you really have a strong intention to do so. In the business world, lunch is considered a serious event, and such an assumption is possible only when you really want it, and you must immediately set a specific time and day.

A reception to which those present are invited solely by virtue of their position is called official.

Official receptions are divided into daytime and evening, with and without seating. TO daytime include receptions such as “Glass of champagne”, “Glass of wine”, “Breakfast”.

“A glass of champagne” usually starts at 12 o’clock and lasts about an hour. The reason for organizing such a reception could be the anniversary of a national holiday, the opening of an exhibition, etc. Waiters serve drinks and snacks. From an organizational point of view, this is the simplest form of reception, which does not require extensive and lengthy preparation.

A similar technique is the “Glass of Wine” type. The name in this case emphasizes the special nature of the technique.

Breakfast is one of the most common types of official receptions. It takes place between 12 and 15 hours, usually at 12.30 or 13.00. The menu is compiled taking into account national traditions. Breakfast usually lasts an hour and a half, of which about an hour - at the table and about 30 minutes - with coffee, tea (coffee, tea can be served at the same table or in the living room).

Guests typically arrive for breakfast in casual clothing unless the dress code is specifically specified in the invitation.
In international protocol practice, it is generally accepted that daytime receptions are less formal than evening ones.

Evening There are several types of official receptions.
The “cocktail” starts between 17:00 and 18:00 and lasts about two hours. During the reception, waiters serve drinks and cold snacks (in the form of canapés - small sandwiches). Hot food can be served. Sometimes there is a buffet where waiters offer drinks to those who wish.

The reception “a la buffet” is held at the same hours as the “cocktail”. However, at a buffet reception, tables may be set with snacks, including hot dishes. Guests themselves approach the tables, pick up snacks and leave, giving the opportunity for others present to approach.

One of the tables is intended for guests of honor - it should be located so that other guests do not have their backs to it.

Receptions such as “cocktail” and “a la buffet” are held standing. In both cases, in order to emphasize the special solemnity, champagne, ice cream, and coffee can be served at the end. If the reception is held on the occasion of a national holiday or in honor of a distinguished guest, a small concert or film screening may be held at the end of the reception. The solemnity of the reception can be emphasized by indicating a special dress code in the invitation.

Lunch is considered the most honorable type of official reception. It usually starts at 20:00 or 20:30, but no later than 21:00. According to Russian protocol practice, lunch can begin at an earlier time. Lunch usually lasts 2-3 hours or even longer. After the table, where the guests stay for about an hour, everyone goes to the living rooms for a conversation; coffee, tea are served here, in some cases they can be served at the dinner table. In the case of a reception with table seating, guests gather at the appointed time in one of the rooms of the house to which they are invited. They are served with soft drinks, beer, whiskey, juices, and sometimes other drinks. Guests can choose to have a drink from the bar. Often, lunch requires a special uniform (tuxedo or tailcoat for men, evening dress for women).

Dinner starts at 21:00 or later and differs from lunch only in the start time. In some countries, on especially special occasions, two receptions are held in a row: immediately after dinner, a “cocktail” or “a la buffet” reception is held for distinguished guests.

“Lunch buffet” involves free seating at small tables of four to six people. Just like at a buffet reception, tables are set with snacks and there are buffets with drinks. Guests pick up snacks and sit at their discretion at one of the small tables. Wines can either be carried around to guests or placed on the tables. Tea or coffee is offered either at the same tables or in another room. This kind of reception is often organized after a concert, watching a movie, or during a break in a dance evening. In tropical countries they are often held outdoors - on the veranda or in the garden. A buffet lunch is less formal than lunch.

Evening receptions also include “tea,” held between 4 and 6 p.m., usually for women. The boss's wife invites to tea the spouses of the heads of companies with whom business contacts have been established. For "tea" one or more tables are set, taking into account the number of guests. Sweets, cookies, fruits and drinks are served. Canapés are not excluded.

Unlike an official reception, in which all food and drinks without exception are served by waiters, a banquet reception is a form of service when cold appetizers and drinks are placed on the table in advance, and waiters serve only hot dishes. (It is this form of guest service that the customer has to deal with when he celebrates an event in a restaurant.)

Each appointment is preceded by careful preparation. It is necessary to determine the type of official reception, taking into account the purpose for which it is being organized, the location, draw up a list of guests, fill out and send out invitations in advance, draw up a menu and seating plan at the table, if we are talking about breakfast, lunch, dinner.

If the reception is organized in a restaurant, then you should pay Special attention preparing the room, setting the table, instructing the waiters who will serve the reception.

If we are talking about a reception with a large number of participants, a restaurant with a good and high service culture is selected.

Compiling a list of invitees is one of the most important elements of preparatory work. The total number of people invited to the reception is determined. Even with the most careful study of the list, it is impossible to avoid the fact that someone will not be able to attend the reception. This so-called dropout rate is taken into account when estimating admission costs.

Modern international protocol practice testifies to the desire of countries to make official receptions modest, avoid excessive pomp, limit or exclude the serving of alcoholic beverages, and refuse overly expensive and exotic dishes. Nevertheless, at an official reception it is necessary to take into account the tastes of the guests, their national and religious traditions. You should think in advance about those who eat only vegetarian food or do not eat pork. Game is not served at the reception during the hunting ban period.

Etiquette for official receptions involves the use of utensils good quality: crystal, porcelain, silver. Fresh flowers on tables and in living rooms give the rooms a festive and cozy feel.

The practice of sending out written invitations to receptions has been established. It is best that they are made in a typographical manner, with the name of the invitee, his position or rank, type of reception, day, hour and location entered by hand. When holding a breakfast or lunch with seating for guests, you should make sure in advance whether the guest can accept the invitation, and only then send it in writing.

Invitations are usually sent one to two weeks before the reception. This allows us to hope that guests will be able to plan their time so as to be able to arrive at the reception.

Having received an invitation, you should read it carefully. This will save you from mistakes and awkward situations in which a person may find himself who does not understand the invitation he received. No matter what language the invitation is written in, you should be clear about the following: who is hosting the reception; for what reason; Where; When; what should be the uniform of clothing; do you need a response to the invitation (often on invitation cards in the lower right corner there are the letters RSVP: repondnz, s"il vous plaot - please respond).

The information clarified as a result of such analysis will help you make the right decision.

It is advisable to give a written response to an invitation with a “request to respond”, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. The response is drawn up on behalf of the person receiving the invitation in a third person, without a signature. It won't be a big mistake if the answer is given over the phone (but in person). In some cases, the protocol provides for a procedure according to which it is obligatory to send a written response (positive or negative) to an invitation to a reception arranged by the head of the official delegation, an official.

SAMPLE POSITIVE REPLY
“The President of the German-Russian Cultural Foundation, Mr. O. Vogel, has the honor to confirm receipt of a kind invitation from Mr. Mayor of Moscow Yu. M. Luzhkov to dinner on Tuesday, October 2, at six o’clock in the evening, which he accepts with pleasure.”

SAMPLE NEGATIVE REPLY
“Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Finland, due to leaving on vacation in the coming days, unfortunately, cannot accept the kind invitation of the mayor of Moscow and his wife for breakfast on Friday, September 6 of this year. in honor of the Moscow city holiday"

In cases where the reception is given in honor of a person whose presence has been agreed upon in advance, the letters RSVP on the invitation form are crossed out and the letters “r.t.”, or “in memory”, or in English “to remind” are written above them. -French "roig titogge").

For receptions without table seating, it is not necessary to arrive early. You can leave at any time. However, an essential circumstance should be taken into account. If several guests are invited from one institution or department, it is advisable that those of lower rank come first. Conversely, when leaving a reception, it is customary for representatives of one department not to leave until the senior person leaves. You should not stay at the reception later than the time specified in the invitation. This will violate the etiquette of official receptions.

Organizing an official dinner begins with inviting the person who will be the main guest at the dinner, and if he accepts the invitation, agreeing with him on the date of the dinner. This is usually done during the next business visit to this person or during a special visit to him on this occasion.

The invitation must be made a month, if not earlier, before the scheduled date, since the schedule of business people today is very busy.

Once the chief guest has accepted the invitation, it is necessary to urgently draw up a list of guests for this dinner and, for the above reasons, urgently send out invitations to them. As already mentioned, the main guest, despite the fact that he accepted the invitation, also needs to send an invitation - an invitation card, in which the words “please respond” should be crossed out and instead written “for memory.”

On the invitation card to an official reception only the position of the invitee is indicated. Neither his last name nor his wife's last name is written. The text of the invitation usually uses the form: “I have the honor...”.

An invitation to a formal breakfast or lunch is addressed to the person, not the position that person holds.

It would not be a mistake if you call the invited guests and find out if they would not mind accepting the invitation, and if they agree, send them an invitation card in which the words request to respond should be crossed out and written for memory.

HOW TO MAKE A GUEST LIST

1. You need to determine the maximum number of guests you can invite. This will depend on the size of the executive spaces, particularly the dining room and dining table. It is recommended to provide each guest at the table with approximately 70-75 cm of table length. Crowding at the table, both for guests and for service personnel, very inconvenient. In addition, when serving food, it creates a danger for any guest to be doused with sauce or gravy. In practice, such cases, although rare, do occur.
2. It is recommended, before sending out invitations, to estimate the future seating plan at the table and, if difficulties are discovered in the seating arrangement, for example, if you intend to invite people of the same seniority, make the necessary changes to the draft guest list.
3. It is very important to provide a relaxed atmosphere at the dinner, conducive to frank conversations and statements. This can be achieved by selecting guests who are close to the main guest both in terms of business (official) interests, and by coincidence of views, or by personal sympathy and friendship. If people who are not close to the main guest and especially opposition-minded are invited to dinner, the dinner will be constrained and tense and will be reduced to a formal event.
4. It is advisable to invite junior employees of the company to dinners and generally to receptions in order to introduce them to active work and, therefore, increase their business skills.
5. It is recommended that your company's guest list be slightly larger than the outside guest list, with at least four more junior employees. This will make it possible to seat your own people at the ends of the tables, since the outer seats are considered less honorable.
6. By the time the list of guests is approved, printed invitation forms must be ready.

When filling out invitations, it is very important not to distort the name, position or rank of the guest. Distortion can lead to the return of the invitation and, consequently, to complications in the relationship.

Of course, you should not send an invitation “with your spouse” to a widowed or single person. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to have a file cabinet and dossier and make changes to them in a timely manner.

Creating a menu is not as simple as it might seem. It is necessary to take into account the composition of the guests in order to prepare dishes that correspond to their religious customs, national traditions or habits.

The breakfast menu includes one or two cold appetizers, one hot fish and one hot meat dish, and dessert. Serving the first hot dish (soup) is also possible. Finally, coffee or tea is offered. Before breakfast, soft drinks, beer, vodka, and whiskey are served. Vodka can be served not before breakfast, but during it, with cold appetizers. Dry white wine (chilled) is served with a fish dish, dry red wine (at room temperature) with meat, champagne with dessert, cognac or liqueur with tea or coffee. Breakfast is served throughout mineral water.

The lunch menu, based on local protocol practice or home tradition, includes one or two cold appetizers, soup, a hot fish and hot meat dish, and dessert. Before lunch, before inviting guests to the common table, light snacks may be offered: nuts, crispy potatoes, dough strips, etc. After lunch - coffee or tea.

When guests gather, they are served an aperitif: vodka, whiskey, gin, Campari and other alcoholic drinks. At lunch itself, vodka is served with an appetizer, with soup (very rarely) sherry or Madeira, with hot dishes and dessert - the same as for breakfast.

There is a practice, for example in France, when during the entire lunch, only champagne is offered with all dishes (grapefruit is included as an appetizer).

Seating at the table is a very important element in organizing an official dinner1, although it is difficult to say that in protocol practice it is “not very important.” There are no small things in it.

The seating arrangement is based on one of the most important norms of protocol - seniority. And not by age, although this is sometimes taken into account to some extent, but mainly by service and social status person.

The following rules are observed seating arrangements.

The places closest to the host and hostess are considered the most honorable (the place of honor at the table is in the middle opposite the front door, and if the door is on the side, on the side of the table that faces the windows facing the street). The further the place is from these persons, the less honorable it is.

The place on the right hand (on the right side) is more honorable than the place on left hand(on the left side).

Women are seated first on the right and left hand of the owner, and men are seated first from the hostess. Then the seats alternate: a man is seated next to the woman, and vice versa.

A woman is not given a place next to a woman, and a husband is not given a place next to his wife.
A woman is not offered a seat at the end of the table unless a man is sitting at the end.

A married woman has the seniority of her husband.

If the mistress of the house is absent, her place can be taken by the wife of one of the diplomatic employees of the mission.

A seat opposite the host may be offered to the most honored guest.

Foreign guests of equal rank with guests - employees of a diplomatic mission - are given preference in seating.

When seating, it is necessary to take into account knowledge foreign languages guests sitting nearby.

Diplomatic etiquette at official receptions involves the following practice of designating seats at the table. Small rectangular place cards and cover cards are made from thick paper, on which the names of the reception participants are written.

In the room where guests gather, or immediately before entering it, guests are presented with a seating plan. In accordance with it, each place at the table is indicated by a couvert card. Guests are introduced to the seating plan. If difficulties arise, you must contact the waiter or head waiter, who is obliged to indicate to the guest the place intended for him and lead him to him.

In order to facilitate the work of drawing up a seating plan, it is recommended common list guests are divided into two parts - into foreign (not your) guests and into a list of guests from your side. Both lists are compiled according to the seniority of the guests.

In the dining room, the guest finds his place at the table and checks it using a card lying on the tallest glass or near the cutlery, where his name is printed, stands behind the back of his chair and waits for the invitation of the hosts to sit down at the table. It is not customary to sit down before the host and hostess have sat down.

During lunch, it is recommended that the head waiter (maitre d') signals the waiters to change dishes only after all the guests have eaten the served dish. This is especially important when serving dessert. The host and hostess should not leave the table until they are sure that all the guests have eaten the ice cream.

Speeches and toasts are made depending on the event on which the dinner is being given, on local protocol practices, and also by prior agreement with the chief guest.

Both speeches and toasts are made after dessert before champagne, when it has been poured for all guests.

At mass receptions, toasts are rarely made. In some countries (for example, Great Britain, the Netherlands), according to established tradition, towards the end of the reception there is a toast in honor of the monarch and the playing of the national anthem. A guest leaving the reception before this ceremony may offend the hosts. As for receptions with seating at the table, the attitude towards toasts can be different. Sometimes (this happens more often in Moscow) at mid-level receptions, many toasts are made throughout the entire feast by both hosts and guests. But more often, and this is apparently more rational, there is one exchange of toasts - with champagne. The host makes a toast first, addressing the main guest, and then he makes a return toast. These toasts emphasize the main meaning of the reception and focus the attention of the guests on it. With this order, the entire course of the reception is calmer and more natural. Simply put, the abundance of toasts sometimes interferes with communication, and sometimes the toast catches the invitees at the moment when they are eating the next dish.

After lunch, guests are invited to other executive areas where they are served coffee and tea. Alcoholic drinks include liqueurs and cognac, juices and mineral water are also served. There is no strict seating arrangement for coffee and tea. Guests are seated at small tables, choosing neighbors they are interested in for a conversation.

The guests disperse after the main guest has left. On the eve of dinner or on the day of it, the owner usually gathers all his guests to ensure that they provide personal attention to the invited guests and determine the direction of the conversations.

In order for the reception to be successful, it is necessary not to miss a single, even the smallest, detail during its preparation and execution. Thus, it is necessary to think in advance where guests will park their cars, and perhaps someone should be assigned to take care of this at the entrance of the house where the reception is taking place.

Guests are greeted at the entrance to the premises by the host and hostess, or by the host alone if wives are not invited. Handshakes are exchanged, congratulations are said, if the reception is dedicated to a special date, you can exchange a few words, but under no circumstances should you start a long conversation with the hosts upon entering the room. This may cause inconvenience to other guests as they will have to stand around until the conversation is completed.

If a reception is given with seating at a table, then the number of guests, as a rule, will be less than at a mass reception such as a buffet. In this case, the hosts should distribute their time before inviting them to the table in such a way as to pay attention to, if possible, all those invited, and at least talk briefly with everyone.

At a large reception such as a buffet, these possibilities are limited. Here you should pay maximum attention to the main guest and his “team”. A very common mistake at such receptions is the desire of representatives of the inviting party to group together and discuss their affairs instead of paying attention to the invitees, helping them get comfortable, offering drinks and snacks.

Guests should not try to discuss any serious issues with the hosts: after all, they have a lot to worry about, and they should be equally accessible to everyone.

Before being invited to the table and after leaving the table, over tea or coffee, men and women form their groups. Important political issues can be discussed here, but mostly issues of a more general nature.

The reception can also be arranged to establish business contacts.

Social receptions are held in honor of a celebrity, family celebration, anniversary, symposium, conference, etc.

People occupying a certain position in society are invited to official receptions. As a rule, heads or members of government, diplomatic representatives of foreign states, scientists, cultural figures, etc. are invited to business receptions.

Official receptions are divided into daytime and evening. In accordance with the form of service, receptions can be with or without seating at a table.

The most honorable types of receptions are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each of these techniques usually consists of two parts. First, the invitees are met and greeted, the guests get to know each other, communicate with each other, and have private and general conversations. Guests are informed of their assigned seats at the banquet table and are offered an aperitif. The word "apéritif" translated from French means "appetite-inducing". Then there is a banquet, usually held at a table with full service.

Most of the rules of etiquette and behavior at official receptions came from diplomatic practice.

Breakfast is one of the types of reception with seating at a table. It is held between 12 and 15 hours. The “breakfast” reception lasts about 1 - 1.5 hours, with about 45-60 minutes spent at the table, and then 15-30 minutes over coffee or tea, which is served at the same table or in the living room.

Tables for breakfast reception should be placed in the shape of the letter “P” or “T”. Seats of honor at the ceremonial table should be located opposite the front door. If this is not possible, places of honor can be placed opposite windows facing the street.

Tables should be covered with a white tablecloth and decorated with flowers. Table setting is the same as at any formal reception (this will be described in more detail below).

Breakfast usually includes one or two cold appetizers, one fish or meat dish, and dessert.

During the reception, guests are offered a??ritiv. Finally, tea or coffee is served. They are offered with cognac and liqueur. The uniform must be casual - a suit or dress. Sometimes the dress code is socially indicated in the invitation.

Lunch called second breakfast. It is held between 12 and 13 hours. Lunch is a reception with seating at a table. Invitations to lunch are made by telephone; on special occasions, invitations are sent to guests.

Lunch is usually held in a restaurant, club or bistro. Colleagues or partners are usually invited to attend. The nature of the lunch depends on the status of the invited persons and the purpose of this reception.

Business partners without spouses are invited to a business lunch held in a restaurant. Invitations must be sent to it; sometimes an invitation by telephone or by prior agreement at a previous meeting is allowed.

The dress code is casual, what people wear to work. This is usually a suit and tie for a man and a business suit or dress for a woman.

Expenses in the restaurant are paid by the inviter. If a woman invites you to a business lunch, she takes on all the functions of the inviter - selects and orders a restaurant, pays bills, tastes wine.

In China, it is customary to invite guests by visiting their home. People often come to visit without warning, and they are allowed to come with one of their friends, who does not necessarily know the owner.

In addition to business lunches, there are also social lunches. They are usually hosted by women. Women are also invited, except when the reception is held on weekends. In this case, men are also invited to lunch.

The hostess can host a small reception at her home. If many guests are invited, lunch is held at a club, hotel or restaurant. The location is selected according to the number of invited guests. They can be placed at one common table or at small individual tables.

When preparing for lunch, the time available to the hostess and the presence of servants in the house are also taken into account.

If men are included in the lunch list, the food served should be consistent with the light lunch menu.

If the luncheon is a sorority-only affair, it doesn't really matter how filling the food served is. In this case, the most important thing is that they are perfectly cooked and tastefully decorated, as at any formal dinner.

Lunch is a meal that is held between breakfast and lunch. Hence the name: the first letters come from the word “breakfast”, the rest from the word “lunch”. This appointment is usually carried out on weekends.

You can invite friends and families, including children. Such a reception is a good opportunity to get to know colleagues better in a free, friendly atmosphere. Lunch is also sometimes held at the dacha, as it is usually held on weekends.

In China, it is customary for a person to bring a gift to the owner when visiting. This is especially necessary if there are elderly people or children in the family.

Brunch corresponds to breakfast or lunch and includes the same set of dishes. This reception serves eggs, bacon, sausage, stew, fish, pancakes, grilled tomatoes, rolls, butter and cheese. Drinks include coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks in large quantities. Wine is sometimes served at brunch.

Reception brunch is quite popular in the USA, South Africa and some others? other countries.

The menu for this reception should be simplified as much as possible, the same applies to organizational issues during its implementation. Thanks to this, the hostess will be able to be with the guests a significant part of the time.

There are no strict requirements for clothing, but it must be taken into account that cosmetics, jewelry and perfume are inappropriate during the morning reception hours.

Dinner: this reception is the most honorable of all table seating receptions. Lunch is usually served between 19 and 21 hours. It lasts about 2.5-3 hours, while guests spend approximately 50-60 minutes at the table, the rest of the time they remain in the living room. Dinner ends when the chief guest leaves.

Lunch is usually held in a high-class restaurant or a beautifully decorated cafe. This reception refers to high-ranking receptions, with named seating at the table and service by waiters.

The dress code for dinner is evening dress only. Men should wear dark suits with a white shirt and a bright tie, and women should wear evening dress.

Dinner refers to receptions with seating at a table. It proceeds in the same way as lunch, differing only in the start time and the fact that soup is not served at the meal. Dinner usually starts at 21:00 or later.

The dress code is usually specified on the invitation: dark suit, tuxedo or tailcoat for men and evening dress for women. When the dress code is agreed upon in advance, the necessary requirements and conditions are written in the lower left corner of the invitation.

When a dress code is specified on the invitation, compliance with this requirement is mandatory. It is understood that the ladies should be in evening dress, although the invitation does not say this.

Conversation at the table

An indisputable rule of etiquette is that people sitting at the table must carry on a conversation. Sitting next to someone and not talking is extremely impolite. There are firm rules of etiquette, according to which it is necessary to talk with both neighbors (even if one of them is unpleasant to you), and you can talk not only with your immediate neighbors, but also with your closest neighbors. However, talking across the table is impolite.
Strangers sitting next to each other usually introduce themselves. For example, taking a card with your last name lying on the table, show it to the person sitting next to you and say: “This is my name.” Then they look at the neighbor’s card. But you can also introduce yourself in the usual way. At the table they have a light, relaxed conversation that does not interfere with the food. For a more lively conversation, use breaks between dishes. Complex problems are not discussed or debated.

Smoking

Exists general rule, according to which smoking is prohibited in a room where there are non-smokers. In the presence of women, a man asks her permission before lighting a cigarette. A pipe smoker always asks the hostess or owner for special permission, even if others are already smoking cigarettes.
Cigarettes, cigars and cigarettes are offered only from a pack or box. They take them carefully, trying not to touch others. The tip of the cigar is not bitten off, but cut off with special scissors or a knife.
If the one who offers to smoke takes a cigarette himself, he is supposed to turn on the fire.
If the proposer manages to light a match earlier, there is a custom - take it from the proposer’s hands, bring it to his cigarette, and only after that light your own cigarette. It is not customary to let someone light a cigarette from a burning cigarette.

The smoke is released in a direction where it does not disturb those present. If tobacco crumbs get into the mouth, they do not spit them out, but push them out with the tongue onto the lip and remove them with a handkerchief. It is not customary to talk with a cigarette in your mouth. When greeting, the cigarette or pipe is removed from the mouth. The ashes are shaken into the ashtray. Tableware is not used for this. If you need to put the cigarette down for a minute, place it on the edge of the ashtray, and not on the edge of the plate or table. After finishing smoking, put the cigarette out in an ashtray so that it does not smoke. A well-mannered person will never put out a cigarette on any household item: a bench, chair leg, wall, etc.
If you don't have an ashtray, don't be embarrassed to ask for one. >However, be aware that the absence of ashtrays on the table may indicate that the host (hostess) prefers that guests wait until cigarettes are served. During breakfast, lunch or dinner, people usually light up no earlier than when coffee or tea is served. In any case, you can smoke at the table only with the permission of the hostess or owner and those present. You should always remember that some states may have smoking rules that differ from the general rules. For example, in Great Britain, especially at official receptions, smoking is allowed only after a toast to the Queen's health.

Leaving the appointment

When getting up from the table, they do not leave the chair aside, but silently move it towards the table. If women are present at the reception, then men help their neighbors stand up. To do this, the man gets up a little earlier than the woman sitting next to him and, as soon as she rises from the chair, moves it away. When the woman gets up, the man silently puts the chair in place and accompanies her as she leaves the table.
When getting ready to leave the reception, the conversation is not suddenly interrupted, it is brought to its logical conclusion and the interlocutor is told “Goodbye.”
If you leave a group of people, make a slight bow and say “Goodbye” to the one who is currently looking at you.
It is impolite to draw attention to your grooming. With early (unnoticed) departure, they usually choose the moment to say goodbye to the hostess (owner).

Federal Agency for Education

Branch of a state educational institution

Higher professional education

"Tomsk State University" in Yurga

ETHICS ABSTRACT

“Types of receptions and rules of behavior at them”

Option 98

Completed by a 3rd year student:

Checked:

1. Official primos

2. History of official receptions

3. Types of techniques

4. Invitations

5. Open house

6. Reception after the theater

7. Rules of behavior at receptions

1.Official receptions

Official receptions are very important both for the development of business relationships and for establishing friendly ties between managers and subordinates.

The main purpose of such techniques is to establish contacts, as well as exchange opinions and information in an informal setting. In this case, food and drinks are usually secondary. From proper organization A lot depends on the reception.

Good diplomacy will help you gain a lot from these meetings.

Official receptions have their own traditions. Over time, certain types of both business and social receptions were established, and special rules of etiquette were developed that participants in such events must adhere to.

The book describes in detail the etiquette corresponding to each type of official reception, the rules for organizing it, starting with sending out invitations and ending with a return visit.

For those who decide to go out into the world and arrange a meeting at the highest level, it will be very useful to familiarize themselves with the rules of conduct at official receptions. It is very important to follow the established rules of etiquette. Even a minor mistake can disrupt the harmony in relationships, which will lead to business losses. Conversely, a well-spent evening can be the key to future success in business.

2. History of official receptions

The history of official receptions dates back more than one century. In the past, such receptions were held by rulers of states for foreign ambassadors or their subjects. Then the feudal lords began to accommodate them.

As time passed, the traditions of official receptions changed in some ways, but in others, on the contrary, remained unchanged.

Over time, modern traditions have formed that are followed in most countries of the world.

Russia is no exception in this regard. However, not everyone is familiar with these international rules for holding, for example, lunch or brunch, while the need for a reception is becoming greater over the years, because more and more often, as part of their job, they have to communicate with foreign partners, for whom a reception as a way of conducting negotiations is one of the most natural things.

In this regard, it is necessary to have an idea of ​​​​how to organize such an event.

Every person can receive an invitation to an official reception, and he needs to know how to behave in such an event. What clothes will be most suitable for a particular occasion, how late it is acceptable to be, what should and should not be expected from the reception. How to refuse an invitation if for some reason you don’t want to accept it.

Official receptions can be both business and social. Business receptions are usually held on the occasion of the opening of a company's representative office, the presentation of goods, the anniversary of an event, a symposium, a conference, as well as in honor of a delegation from another country visiting the country.

3. Types of techniques

The reception can also be arranged to establish business contacts.

Social receptions are held in honor of a celebrity, family celebration, anniversary, symposium, conference, etc.

People occupying a certain position in society are invited to official receptions. As a rule, heads or members of government, diplomatic representatives of foreign states, scientists, cultural figures, etc. are invited to business receptions.

The main types of official receptions are: breakfast (Lunch), lunch (Dinner), buffet lunch (Buffet Dinner), dinner (Supper), a la buffet, cocktails; small receptions - coffee or tea table. Various combinations of the main types form such as dinner after the theater, picnic, fondue, barbecue, beer table, differing from each other in methods of organization.

Lunch at Ancient Rome, including the ceremonial one, took place no earlier than 2 o’clock in the afternoon and lasted throughout the entire second half of the day. During the feast, they not only ate, but often discussed philosophical issues, held literary debates or read poetry.

Official receptions are divided into daytime and evening. In accordance with the form of service, receptions can be seated at a table or without it.

The most honorable types of receptions are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each of these receptions, as a rule, consists of two parts. First, the invitees are met and greeted, the guests get to know each other, communicate with each other, and have private and general conversations. Guests are informed of their assigned seats at the banquet table and are offered an aperitif. The word "apéritif" translated from French means "appetite-inducing." Then there is a banquet, usually held at a table with full service.

Most of the rules of etiquette and behavior at official receptions came from diplomatic practice.

Breakfast is a type of reception with seating at a table. It is held between 12 and 15 hours. The breakfast reception lasts about 1-1.5 hours, with about 45-60 minutes spent at the table, and then 15-30 minutes over coffee or tea, which is served at the same table or in the living room.

Tables for breakfast reception should be placed in the shape of the letter “P” or “T”. Places of honor at the ceremonial table should be located opposite the front door. If this is not possible, places of honor can be placed opposite windows facing the street.

Tables should be covered with a white tablecloth and decorated with flowers. Table setting is the same as at any formal reception (this will be described in more detail below).

Breakfast is usually served with one or two cold appetizers, a single fish or meat dish, and dessert.

During the reception, guests are offered an aperitif. Finally, tea or coffee is served. They are offered with cognac and liqueur. The uniform must be casual - a suit or dress. Sometimes the dress code is specifically indicated in the invitation.

Lunch is called second breakfast. It is held between 12 and 1 p.m. Lunch is a reception with seating at a table. Invitations to lunch are made by telephone; on special occasions, invitations are sent to guests.

Lunch is usually held in a restaurant, club or bistro. Colleagues or partners are usually invited to attend. The nature of the lunch depends on the status of the invited persons and the purpose of this reception.

Business partners without spouses are invited to a business lunch held in a restaurant. Invitations must be sent to it; sometimes an invitation by telephone or by prior agreement at a previous meeting is allowed.

The dress code is casual, what people wear to work. This is usually a suit and tie for a man and a business suit or dress for a woman.

Expenses in the restaurant are paid by the inviter. If a woman invites you to a business lunch, she takes on all the functions of the inviter - she chooses and orders a restaurant, pays the bills, tastes the wine.

In China, it is customary to invite guests by visiting their home. People often enter a guest house without warning, but they are allowed to come with one of their friends, who is not necessarily acquainted with the owner.

In addition to business lunches, there are also social lunches. They are usually hosted by women. Women are also invited, except in cases where the appointment is on weekends. In this case, men are also invited to lunch.

The hostess can host a small reception at her home. If many guests are invited, the lunch is held in a club, hotel or restaurant. The place is chosen in accordance with the number of invited guests. They can be placed at one common table or at small individual tables.

When preparing for lunch, the time available to the hostess and the presence of servants in the house are also taken into account.

If men are included in the lunch list, the food served should correspond to the light lunch menu.

If the lunch is held exclusively for sorority, it does not really matter how filling the food served is. In this case, the most important thing is that they are perfectly cooked and tastefully decorated, as at any formal dinner.

Brunch is a meal that is held between breakfast and lunch. Hence the name: the first letters of it are taken from the word “breakfast”, the rest - from the word “lunch”. This appointment is usually carried out on weekends.

You can invite friends and families, including children. This reception is a good opportunity to get to know colleagues better in a free, friendly atmosphere. Brunch is also sometimes held at the dacha, as it is usually held on weekends.

In China, it is customary for a person to bring a gift to the host when visiting. This is especially necessary if there are elderly people or children in the family.

Brunch corresponds to breakfast or lunch and includes the same set of dishes. This reception serves eggs, bacon, sausage, stew, fish, pancakes, grilled tomatoes, rolls, butter and cheese. Drinks include coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks in large quantities. Wine is sometimes served at brunch.

Brunch is quite popular in the USA, South Africa and some other countries.

The menu for this reception should be simplified as much as possible, the same applies to organizational issues during its implementation. Thanks to this, the hostess will be able to be with the guests a significant part of the time.

There are no strict requirements for clothing, but it must be taken into account that cosmetics, jewelry and perfume are inappropriate during the morning hours of reception.

This reception is the most honorable of all table seating receptions. Lunch is usually served between 19 and 21 hours. It lasts about 2.5-3 hours, while guests spend approximately 50-60 minutes at the table, the rest of the time they remain in the living room. Dinner ends when the main guest leaves.

Lunch is usually held in a high-class restaurant or a beautifully decorated cafe. This reception refers to high-ranking receptions, with named seating at the table and service by waiters.

The dress code for dinner is evening dress only. Men should wear dark suits with a white shirt and a bright tie, and women should wear evening dresses.

Dinner refers to receptions with seating at the table. It is the same as lunch, differing only in the start time and the fact that soup is not served during the meal. Dinner usually starts at 21:00 or later.

The dress code is usually indicated on the invitation: a dark suit, tuxedo or tailcoat for men and an evening dress for women. When the dress code is agreed upon in advance, the necessary requirements and conditions are written in the lower left corner of the invitation. For example, it may be written “white tie”, which translates as “white tie” and means “tailcoat”, or “black tie” - “black tie”, that is, “tuxedo”; “evening dress” - “evening clothes”, which also means “tailcoat”.

When a dress code is specified on the invitation, compliance with this requirement is mandatory. It is understood that the ladies should be in evening dress, although the invitation does not say this.

In England, invitations are sometimes written “undress,” which literally translates to “without clothes.” However, this note means that guests should wear casual or informal attire.

4. Invitations

If you plan to invite many guests, they should send invitations on standard cards or on a beautiful postcard. If only a few people are invited to the reception, it is most convenient to invite them by telephone.

If the reception does not include a buffet table, the invitation usually states: “Cocktail from 17.00 to 19.00.” Otherwise, it is written: “Cocktail at 17.00.” If the invitation cards bear the inscription “R.S.V.P.”, after which, as a rule, a telephone number is indicated, this means that the invitation can be answered by telephone. Even if the mark “R.S.V.P.” is absent, prudent guests should inform the host and/or hostess whether they will be able to attend the reception or not.

5. Open house

Such techniques are very popular in the West. They are mainly held on the occasion of New Year, Christmas, housewarming, as well as before or after a wedding. Many guests are invited to such receptions. Especially often, open receptions are held at home in small towns, where many people know each other.

The invitation to the reception is published in the local newspaper, so everyone can attend without a special invitation.

The appointment lasts 4-5 hours. During this time, guests come for 20-30 minutes to pay their respects to the hosts.

6. Reception after the theater

If you plan to visit a theater or concert with friends or work colleagues, you can arrange a small reception after the performance, where it would be convenient to discuss what you saw and just chat.

At such a reception, coffee is usually served, which can be accompanied by cognac or whiskey. Various desserts can be served along with coffee.

It is very popular to make Irish coffee. To prepare it, add 1 teaspoon of sugar to a coffee cup and add a little whiskey. Cups of this mixture are placed in the microwave for 30 seconds, after which freshly brewed strong black coffee is poured into them. Whipped cream is added to the drink and grated chocolate is sprinkled on top.

At a reception after visiting a theater or concert, you can serve not only coffee, but also a full dinner. In this case, the living room should be decorated in an elegant style with appropriate table setting. You can light candles, and if you have a fireplace, light a fire in it. Soft music will be a nice addition. The color of the candles is selected in accordance with the table setting.

To emphasize the formality of the post-theater reception, it is recommended to use white candles.

In the invitation, guests should be notified of the form of reception after the theater - whether it will be a cup of coffee or dinner. It is necessary to take into account that the time will be later, so dinner or coffee should not last long. The menu is compiled accordingly. It is advisable to prepare dishes in advance to spend as little time as possible organizing dinner.

The dishes offered at the reception after the theater should not be very heavy. For example, you can serve smoked fish or pates first, then a main course, such as veal stew with a side dish, and dessert.

7. Rules of behavior at receptions

If a large number of people are invited to a reception, the host and hostess stand at the entrance the entire time, greeting and seeing off the guests. In addition, it is the responsibility of the hostess to introduce newly arrived people to guests with whom they are not familiar. If the hostess is not there, the newly arrived guest must definitely find her, say hello, and only after that begin communicating with other guests.

If the reception is arranged for a limited circle, the hostess and host are more free. They can not only meet and see off guests, but also spend some time talking with them.

At the reception, cocktails are served poured into glasses and served by waiters. Sometimes a bar buffet with alcoholic drinks is available.

The cocktail table differs from other buffet tables (a la fourchette, lunch buffet) in that there are no plates or forks on it, but only wooden or plastic disposable skewers stuck into a variety of appetizers served on large trays. Mini forks are also allowed, with which you can take canapés or fruit from a cocktail.

At the end of the reception, guests are sometimes offered coffee.

When coming to a reception hosted by the company or director of the company in which you work, first of all, you need to find the owner and hostess and say hello to them. And only then make contact with the reception participants.

According to business etiquette You should arrive at your appointment before your supervisor.

The first to leave the reception are the heads of representative offices, companies, etc., and then the rest of the employees leave in order of seniority.

The dress code for such receptions must be indicated in the invitation; if this is not the case, then you have the right to dress according to your taste. It is customary for women to wear a dress of regular length, a dress-suit or a suit.

Jewelry is worn only at evening receptions.

The host of the reception (table) should be an example of politeness, hospitality, courtesy. If the reception is numerous and even involves several smells, the host must choose a time to show attention to all those invited. Guest etiquette begins with accepting the invitation. If the invitation contains a request to respond, it is necessary to inform in advance in writing or by telephone whether the invitation is accepted or not. A positive answer imposes an obligation to definitely participate in the event; only obviously extreme, unforeseen circumstances can exempt you from this obligation, but with the obligatory notification of the host of the reception.