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Post by jay on Jul 2, 2006 2:59:58 GMT -5
why do people change after each courses?? i don't understand the point of state dinners is conversation and avoiding giving offense so a protocol was established for these formal functions where everyone converses with the person on their left and then, at a signal (the changing of the courses) switches to talk with the person on the other side. That way, no one gets left out and offended. This is not an American tradition. I think the British in their empire days started it. Couples are also generally split up so they sit opposite each other. So it didn't really matter who Apolo brought to the dinner so long as it was someone who could handle the etiquette, pass a security/background check, and someone female to balance the table. He was almost certainly told to bring someone to keep the table numbers even. thanks for the crystal-clear explanation....you really are the Master of Terminology ;D |
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Post by susie on Jul 2, 2006 22:24:13 GMT -5
Couples are also generally split up so they sit opposite each other. So it didn't really matter who Apolo brought to the dinner so long as it was someone who could handle the etiquette, pass a security/background check, and someone female to balance the table. He was almost certainly told to bring someone to keep the table numbers even. Yeah, I was also pretty sure that they would split up the couples...part of the reasoning being, you presumably talk to this person all of the time, so wouldn't it be more interesting to talk to someone different?...but probably for aforementioned diplomatic reasons as well. I'm not so sure if they're that rigid anymore about keeping the table numbers even. The first pair to arrive were both females, and a lone female senator was announced just before Apolo and his guest. BTW, I thought that those orchid arangements were amazing. I grow orchids and my jaw dropped when I saw how many orchids were used for each table. |
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Post by Elle on Jul 4, 2006 20:45:11 GMT -5
The whole changing partners deal makes sense. I personally would be petrified to be there with all those politicians and such. I would be so nervous and uncomfortable that I'd probably act like a total wally.
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Post by sara on Jul 4, 2006 20:56:58 GMT -5
The whole changing partners deal makes sense. I personally would be petrified to be there with all those politicians and such. I would be so nervous and uncomfortable that I'd probably act like a total wally. And now we all know what a wally is.  |
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