Just before a formal dinner at the manor

[Rollo]

Toujours incomparable, mon cher Robert ! Un parfait gentilhomme... français !

[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

[Jock Scot]

Robert.

We have always been made very welcome in France! Of course there are different ways of doing things and that is what makes travel so interesting. When looked at in the cold light of day, those differences are so small that they are a mere nothing.

My ancestors left Normandy, in 1066, with the gallant Duke when he left for England and in the course of time(many centuries) we ended up on Skye and then back on the mainland to reside in Lochaber and we are always glad to have our distant French relatives and their friends pay us a visit. There is always the fun filled discussion of who should have won the Battle of Agincourt, Crecy, Waterloo, etc., and we always agree that even with a violent past between our countries it really does not matter one bit, for us of today. Besides, hunting,horses,hounds,fishing, sporting rifles and guns are far more sensible things to be talking about!

In passing, I have always admired French ladies, they dress with such style and I quite agree that mothers in law can be a hindrance on occasion!

[MacDonnell1973]

Very, very sharp.

Bill

[Ancienne Alliance]

Robert.

We have always been made very welcome in France! Of course there are different ways of doing things and that is what makes travel so interesting. When looked at in the cold light of day, those differences are so small that they are a mere nothing.

So far, my observations are that, language aside, the Scot and the French have so many things in common that when differences do manifest themselves, they look upon them with interest and kindness.


Best,

Robert

[GG]

Looking good - even if I myself prefer the more realxed situation in your "brown symphony" posting.

Greg

[Rollo]

Make yourselves easy, flatware, dinner plates, baskets, etc were englis or scottish ! Only a little french silver !

[MartinGrenoble]

One thing that I liked about living in France was the fact that you could wear what you wanted. At weddings, for example you see everything from t-shirts to jackets and even an occasional tie.
Most of my ties went to the bin a long time ago, but, of course, I don't move in diplomatic circles.
As to talk of ancestors, I doubt many of our ancestors wore bow ties, black or white, even/especially in the Highlands. They are a pretty recent invention.
It amuses me watching older hollywood films to see the men dressed as café waiters, and am glad that such dull uniforms have been dismissed by the unpretentious majority.

Martin (100% hoi polloi)