Just before a formal dinner at the manor

[Paul]

I was once invited to a formal ball here in the states. Boy did I feel silly having shown up in black tie.

Same!

[JRB]

Originally Posted by The Guy in the Kilt at UC
I was once invited to a formal ball here in the states. Boy did I feel silly having shown up in black tie.

Same!

Ditto. I was invited to a "formal wedding and reception". I showed up in black tie and was the only one outside of the wedding party dressed in such a way.

[Highlander31]

Nice look Rollo.

[Panache]

Rollo,

A very handsome outfit

Personally I think kilt jackets look best unbuttoned though

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Rollo]

You are right, Jamie.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Rollo,

A very handsome outfit

Personally I think kilt jackets look best unbuttoned though

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Ah ! Another cultural thing here Jamie.

In France, a gentleman will button up his jacket as soon as he stands up.

But he will leave the last button of his waiscoat undone and wear buckled shoes for day wear.

Add to this that all evening dinners are practically never really formal (classy at the most) and you will have a very confusing situation I must admit.

C'est la vie ! ...à la française.


Best,

Robert

[Panache]

Ah ! Another cultural thing here Jamie.

In France, a gentleman will button up his jacket as soon as he stands up.

Ah! Thank you for enlightening me Robert

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Jock Scot]

Ah ! Another cultural thing here Jamie.

In France, a gentleman will button up his jacket as soon as he stands up.

But he will leave the last button of his waiscoat undone and wear buckled shoes for day wear.

Add to this that all evening dinners are practically never really formal (classy at the most) and you will have a very confusing situation I must admit.

C'est la vie ! ...à la française.


Best,

Robert

Being slightly mischievous here, surely if you are dressed as a Scot, with clan tartan etc., one really ought to wear your attire as a Scot would, not as a Frenchman, American, Mexican,Russian, German,Latvian, Indian or wherever would?

Jock now dives, gently, for cover!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Being slightly mischievous here, surely if you are dressed as a Scot, with clan tartan etc., one really ought to wear your attire as a Scot would, not as a Frenchman, American, Mexican,Russian, German,Latvian, Indian or wherever would?

Jock now dives, gently, for cover!

Oh, you don't have to dive dear Scot, no risks whatsoever in good company.

I guess it's just a question of education and protocol.

If it’s hard to change bad habits, it’s really hard to change good ones.

Rollo and I are from high Scottish lineage but our Scottish ancestors cruelly fell in love with French damsels… many hundred years ago.

These unusual couples had to raise children on this French soil and, Auld Alliance or not, the proud Highlander courteously bowed to the ways of the sheltering nation.

Thus was born a race of Gentils Ecossois , with slightly different traditions but deeply anchored in respect of the education that was handled down to us.

Now for instance, if we would welcome a party of Scottish ladies and gentlemen for an evening banquet in Normandy (hint, hint Rollo…), we would make sure to have a diplomatic intermediate to make sure we get everything right. Of course we would expect your party to appoint the same. Thus, a civilized compromise respecting the protocol could be found.

On the other hand, If we where to attend an evening event in the Highlands, Rollo and I would quickly invest in black bow ties and leave our diplomats at home (along with our mother-in-laws).


Best,

Robert