The viral 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, dining invitees are as controversial as he is. Figureheads include politicians, from President Vladimir Putin (Russia) to ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (Germany) and Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, to the e-commerce giant Jeff Bezos. Like Trump, hundreds of diplomats are blithely aware that creating rapport is essential when starting a new posting.
What do you need to know about inviting guests rather than sitting around waiting for an invitation from others? Inviting individuals, couples, or delegations to a dining event becomes an official function of your country’s mission, and therefore, international protocol starts. Once you have prepared your guest list, discuss it and send it to the missions protocol or senior officer.
Fortunately, formal invitations on official stationery cards don’t just stop at weddings or the Academy Awards. Someone is responsible for printing formal invitations; informal card handwriting is appropriate. Once the guest list is confirmed, an invitation with an RSVP card, a follow-up phone call, and a reminder card has to be delivered. Why is there a need to reach the guests often?
Busy schedules, cultural customs, or plain politics are reasons someone might forget or ignore an RSVP. Following up two to three times ensures that the protocol officer receives an accurate count of attendees. Once guests have confirmed, consular officials will chart the seating arrangement according to protocol.
Understanding social conventions and communication styles is part of posting to another country. These customs could include bringing guests not previously declared, being extremely late, or eating and dining very differently from your own, creating an enjoyable environment and an engaging atmosphere.
Please note that if a higher-ranking official is posted long-term or has arrived only for meetings or talks, it’s best to coordinate with their team so schedules don’t clash and invitees are not double-booked. Both events could merge into one. You will use these simple techniques repeatedly, whether it be other international representatives, those with divergent opinions, or the wider community.
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Written by Elizabeth Soos, an etiquette specialist.
3rd March 2025, Australia
Category: Etiquette
Referency: ES3032024E
