FORMS OF ADDRESS/ TITLES THE KING - - THE QUEEN - - THE POPE - - THE CARDINAL - - THE BISHOP - - AN AMBASSADOR . . .

THE PRESIDENT . . . THE PRIME MINISTER .. CABINET MEMBER . . . SENATE PRESIDENT. . . SPEAKER of the HOUSE . FORMER PRESIDENT . .. His (Royal) Majesty Her (Royal) Majesty His Holiness His Eminence His Grace His Excellency His Excellency His Excellency The Honorable Mr. President Mr. Speaker The Honorable/ Mr. President

ETIQUETTE IN INTRODUCTION Remember the principles of

1.

gender, ,age, and rank in introduction:

Introduce a man to a woman, e.g. Ann, this is Sam Milby or Ms. Curtis, this is Sam Milby. ( You may then add some basic information about each other so they have something to start with.) Introduce the younger person to an elder one, e.g., Mrs. Cojuangco, this is Gretchen Barreto. Introduce a lower ranking person to a higher ranking person, e.g. Ambassador Arcilla, may I introduce Mayor Escobillo.

2.

3.

Exceptions: Women are introduced to the head of state/government, dignitary of the church like a cardinal or bishop. A young girl is also introduced to an older and distinguished gentleman, as Ambassador Villa, this is Joanna Casimiro or Ambassador Villa, may I introduce Ms. Cybil Omictin.
4.

In formal introduction, use the phrase May I present or May I introduce . . .

5, To acknowledge an introduction, incline the head a little bit as if you are going to bow, then smile and say, How do you do, Something similar. Both parties make the same acknowledgment. The man should wait for the woman to offer to shake hands. A man should stand when introduced to a woman. A woman may also rise when introduced to another woman for whom she would like to show respect. When introducing two people, you have to give a brief description of their respective functions like. Mr Sam Milby just received a FAMAS award last week for his excellent performance in .. and in the same breath you may say and Ms Pahinto-hinto, is the new LTO chief. The information would give each one of them something to start a conversation with. ENTERTAINING A. Why entertain 1. To make friends and contacts who may be useful. 2. To get to know the local culture or introduce your own culture. 3. To gather information from local residents/officials and other diplomats 4. To reciprocate invitations received 5. To improve the image of the country. 6. It enables heads and senior members of the mission to sound out foreign affairs officials, politicians. Businessmen or other diplomats, regarding proposals they would like to make, but would not put it in writing or raise officially lest the result would be definite or irreversible. ( Note: The basic purpose of entertaining is to help achieve Philippine foreign policy objectives, domestic or foreign and to further Philippine interests at home and abroad. Entertainment is an indispensable tool for developing satisfactory relationships with the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and the cultural, political, economic, and social communities. A friendly conversation at a dinner party may do more to resolve differences of viewpoints between nations and officials than weeks at a conference table. Personal contacts and friendly

exchanges are very important because they cut across problems of communication. Entertaining is the method used for making and fostering these contacts. While the general trend in the world is toward informal entertaining,, there is still the obligation for high ranking officials of one country to entertain and be entertained in a formal manner, a ritual legacy from the past. The role of the wife or hostess of an official is exceedingly important. An efficient and charming spouse is one of the greatest assets of an official who must have available the several forms of entertainment that would create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where ideas are initiated and fostered. (NOTE) In planning an official function like dinner or luncheon, the first step is to choose the date. The guest of honor is usually given the choice of several dates. Before offering choices, the host should make sure that the event will not conflict with one already scheduled or likely to be scheduled like National Day celebrations. There are usually lists of suitable venue for entertaining available. B. The Guest List It is a sign of courtesy to consult the guest of honor or his staff regarding the guest list and the general arrangements. The guest of honor may want to include in the guest list a few names of people he would very much like to meet and the host must include such persons. If the guest of honor is staying in a private home, it is courteous to include the (private) hosts in the guest list. If the guest of honor is touring the country, it is likewise proper to invite his hosts along the way. An invitation list ought to be well balanced. It may include locals who have traveled and might have business or economic interests in the country of the honored guest. C. Invitations and Replies The type of invitation issued indicates whether the entertaining is to be formal or informal. However, all invitations should include the nature of the occasion, day, date, hour, place, and if necessary, the mode of dress.

Formal invitations to official luncheons, receptions, dinners, etc., may be completely engraved, semi-engraved or handwritten, but are always worded in the third person, in English or in local language. If the host is a senior officer of a department or agency, invitations may bear the seal of the office or agency at the center top. The Presidential embossed seal, in gold, is used on all invitations issued by Malacanang. Example: In honor of His Excellency Abdulbaki Abubakr Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore The Secretary of Foreign Affairs Glady Brojan requests the pleasure of the company of __________________________________ at luncheon (or dinner, or a reception) on Thursday the thirtieth of December at seven o'clock R.s.vp The JPL Mnsions O928

1. It must be sent two or three weeks before the event 2. It must be in the third person, (example) pleasure or honor. must indicate the time, place, occasion if any, the type of party, attire. Rsvp, regrets only. Or to remind 3. The practice is to invite by phone through the secretaries and if confirmed, to send the invitation, with remarks , p.m. or to remind( instead of the usual RSVP or Regrets only). The host or hostess may enclose a list of the other guess with their titles and function. This ensures that the guests knew in advance who the other guests are which is a key to successful entertaining. 4. On the invitation card, the attire: e.g., black tie, or lounge suit for men; long dress for ladies. Sometimes it is enough to

indicate what the occasion is and the guests would know what to wear. However, if in doubt, a guest can inquire discreetly from the secretary of the hostess, or from other friends. The rule of the thumb is that it would be better to overdress than to be underdressed especially for women. 5. Invitations must be acknowledged and answered asap.

D. Formal and Informal (in the Philippines there is semi-

formal(?)) functions 1. State dinner/Vin dhonneur 2. National Day reception 3. Farewell reception/welcome reception 4. Garden party 5. Morning Coffee/ Afternoon Tea 6. Formal (sit down) dinner 7. Buffet lunch/or dinner E. Formal dinner The requisites for a successful formal dinner whether for 200 or eight guests are as follows 1. GUESTS WHO ARE CONGENIAL 2. SERVICE STAFF WHO ARE COMPETENT AND WELL TRAINED 3. LOVELY TABLE SETTING; FURNISHINGS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND SUITABLE; IMMACULATELY CLEAN LINEN, POLISHED SILVER AND GLASSWARE 4. FOOD THAT IS WELL PREPARED, AND A WELL CHOSEN MENU. The cultural and health aspects or personal preference of the guests must be observed. (Kitane in Burma, UNDP Representative) Kosher food, or vegetarians. (Yeoo Adlan). 5. CORDIAL AND HOSPITABLE HOST 6. A CHARMING HOSTESS TACTFUL, WITH POISE AND IMPECCABLE MANNERS AND SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF HER GUESTS. (The Filipino diplomats have introduced an innovation even in formal parties ---singing. Virtually in every ASEAN party, the

videoke or karaoke, has become popular, even in heads of states meetings. (But they avoid singing My Way) F. Table Manners 1. Conversing with your neighbors is as important as eating. 2. Keep your elbows off the table until the meal is over. 3. The knife is used only for cutting meat or fish, never for conveying food to the mouth. 4. Never pick your teeth in public. If feeling uncomfortable, do your thing in the privacy of the rest room, 5. Do not lower your head as if you are going to dunk it over your plate. 6. Do not talk with your mouth full. Chew you food slowly. 7. Some food are almost always eaten with the fingers like small sandwiches (served during receptions sometimes called finger food), olives, celery, nuts, candy and corn on the cob. Club sandwiches may be cut with a knife and eaten with a fork or fingers. 8. The napkin is used to protect your clothes from food that has missed its target. It should be put across your lap. When you are done, always leave the napkin on the table, crumpled or unfolded. This is done to show that it is not to be used again. 9. If you are invited to a formal dinner where there is an array of forks and knives, and you are not sure of their use, watch the host or hostess or the guest of honor, for guidance. The rule is you use first the silver (knives, forks, etcetera) farthest from your plate. If you commit a faux pas, pretend as if nothing had happened and go ahead. (fart). ( spooned from the washing bowl, mistaking it for soup. The hostess/host saved the day. Les 10. Soup/ soup spoon/, outward or away from you.
11. The guests should not leave ahead of the guest of honor (if

any, except in emergency/. NOTE: SOME CULTURAL DIFFERENCES In some countries there are specific taboos in food intake: 1. Hindus (India) do not eat beef. Veggies and fish are ok. 2. Muslims do not eat pork or pork-related dishes.

3. In some East Asian countries, the preferred implements for

eating is the chopsticks or with ones fingers. 4. In some West Asian countries it is taboo to eat with the left hand. 5. In some societies, it is impolite to point with the index finger, or to sit in a manner where the soles of your feet or shoes are visible to your host or guests. In others, it is considered impolite to hand over or receive anything with the left hand. 6. In Japan, it is customary to remove ones shoes before entering a home. 7. In some orthodox Muslim countries, it is prohibited for opposite sex to shake hands. No alcoholic drinks allowed. 8. In some Arab and European countries, men do kiss each other on the cheeks, sometimes as many as three times. 9. In some, ordinary mortals are not allowed to shake hand with the Monarch, e.g. the Shah of Iran or the Queen of England. 10. In some Asian countries to burp after eating is considered polite and indicates you enjoyed your meal. It is also considered polite to leave some food on your plate to indicate that you are not matakaw or starving. 11. Invited guests might accept an invitation but not attend, while others might not rsvp at all. Some guests arrive late or bring uninvited guests. (In cases like this, you may have a member of the diplomatic staff on standby to fill up the gaps that absences may have created.) Note: IT IS IMPORTANT, WHEN HOSTING FORMAL OR INFORMAL PARTIES, TO CONSULT WITH THE LOCAL PROTOCOL ON THE COMMON PRACTICES PECULIAR TO THE PLACE.