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GIVING THE
CURTSY
The lady
curtsies by placing the ball of the right foot behind
the heel of the left foot, with the feet at a natural
and comfortable angle to each other to maintain
balance; simultaneously, the hands are crossed at the
breast and the head is bowed slightly while the entire
body is slightly "dipped" at the bent knees.
The curtsy is not exaggerated, but is dignified and
given smoothly and with quick deliberation.
Visiting Royalty to an event sponsored by a Royal
House are not in their own Courts and receive a lesser
bow or curtsy.
THE RECEIVING
LINE
The arrangement known as the
"receiving line" takes its name from the
fact that guests are being "received in greeting"
by the Court and Officers of the Court, as well as
select honored guests. Because the receiving line is
an honor bestowed upon guests, you must go through the
line. Whether the line is held before or after dinner,
you will leave your table to enter the line. You may
enter the line in any order, but the order of the line
itself will be hierarchical, with the first person (to
your left, facing the line) in the line holding lowest
rank, to the Royals who are last in line (to your
right, facing the line). After exiting the line, you
return to your table.
PROCEDURE IN
THE RECEIVING LINE
The Protocol for the receiving line
consists of the Introduction, the Greeting, and the
Response:
: as a
received, you introduce yourself (suggested
introduction: "Good evening, I'm Chevalier/Dame
X of the Order of X"). Men shake hands, but
women do not (note: never refuse or ignore an
offered hand, but take it for the shake; shaking
an offered hand is always proper).
Greeting: While shaking
hands, the greeting is made by the receiver in the
line (suggested greeting: "How nice to see
you," or "We are pleased that you could
attend.")
Response: a response is
made by the received (suggested response: "Thank
you, Excellency, I am honored to be here this
evening.").
The Introduction,
the Greeting,
and the Response are
repeated for each person down the line. If the person
in the line first offers a hand, take it firmly (you
must use a hand pressure equal to that given), make
the shake, and release immediately when you feel the
other person is releasing. Royals receive physical
courtesy, not a hand shakeÑunless a hand is offered
by one of them. Should the receiver in line wish to
converse with you, then you must pause; but you should
not pause on your own initiative to chat because you
must keep the line moving.
INTRODUCING YOURSELF
Propriety allows you to introduce yourself to anyone
to whom you have not been introduced. A good form is:
"Sir/Ma'am, how do you do? I am Chev./Dame X of
The Order of the Holy Sepulchre." If the other
person is male and you are a male, you should offer a
hand after saying "how do you do," then
continue the introduction as the hand is shaken; but
do not offer a hand to a female unless she offers her
hand, and if you are female, do not offer your hand.
The other person very likely will fall prey to human
nature and forget your name, but she/he will know to
call you by your title. If you will repeat your name
once or twice during your conversation, that action
will be appreciated.
THE COURTLY KISS TO THE
HAND
If you are male and the female offers her hand with
the palm down and the back of the hand up, you have
received the signal for the hand kiss. Use your right
hand to take her hand at the fingers, bow slightly
while raising her hand and kiss lightly and dryly the
back of her hand; then, still holding her hand,
gracefully bring it back down until she withdraws the
hand. This action is done quickly and smoothly, and
only if the hand is offered as described. If the
female offers a hand as for a man's handshake, do not
attempt a hand kiss, but shake hands.
The other person will introduce him/herself,
at which time you will learn the rank and name. |