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THE CONTINENTAL GREETING
Guests from the Continent may greet another with one or two kisses
to the cheek. The Continental greeting is signaled when the
shoulders are taken and held while the kisses are given. Often, the
kiss is not actually placed on the cheek, but it is proper so to do.
Sometimes, the Continental greeting is followed by a handshake (where
the two persons are male). The Continental greeting is considered
quite formal and is generally only used immediately before or after
a presentation. However, the Continental greeting is appropriate for
other circumstances. Americans are not familiar with this form of
greeting, especially between males, and should be aware of its
propriety.
THE REVERENT KISS TO THE
EPISCOPAL RING
A Bishop wearing an episcopal ring
may offer his hand so that the ring is to be kissed. If the ring is
offered for the kiss, the Bishop offers his hand with the back up
and the ring facing up. Use your right hand to take the Bishop's
hand at the fingers, bow slightly while raising his hand and kiss
lightly and dryly the stone of the ring (it's always an amethyst);
then, still holding his hand, gracefully bring it back down until
the Bishop withdraws the hand. This action is done quickly and
smoothly, and only if the hand is offered as described. If you wish
to kiss the Bishop's ring, you signal this by bowing slightly and
holding your right hand out as though to receive something. The
Bishop will place his hand in yours, and you proceed as described.
If the Bishop "misses his cue," don't become flustered.
Simply straighten up and carry on as usual. Should the episcopal
ring be offered to you, do not refuse, no matter what your
private thoughts on ring kissing might be. The episcopal ring kiss,
while religious, is also social.
CARDS
Cards (both business and social)
are often exchanged at Court, and this is permissible, but there is
a certain procedure to follow so as not to impose. After speaking
with someone for a while, you may request a card: "May I
request your card?" There are three possible responses: the
person may say that he/she has no card (note: the person may, in
fact, actually have no card to offer...or, alternately, may not wish
to offer you a card); or, the person may offer you the card, in
which case you receive it with thanks, read it (or look at it as
though to read it), and immediately place it in your pocket/purse (men:
do not fish out and fumble with a wallet); or, the person may offer
the card and request yours. Similarly, the other person may first
request your card; if so, follow the procedure as given. If you are
offered a card, receive it with pleasure, but do not offer your own
unless requested. The differences between the business card and the
social card are that (a) the social card is usually somewhat larger
than the standard business card and (b) the social card often has
only the name and rank of the giver. You may wish to request contact
information if you are offered a social card.
PERSONAL INVITATIONS
Personal invitations to breakfast
or lunch at the hotel may be offered verbally, but invitations to
dinner are written and are rarely given to new acquaintances. You
may both give and accept invitations, and you may decline
invitations with a "prior commitment" regret or simply
with "regret."
AFTER THE BANQUET
You may wish to write to your new acquaintances. You should most
certainly write a thank-you to the host of the event, being sure to
sign your name with appropriate prenominals and postnominals.
Regarding postnominals: don't be carried away. A
string of postnominals sometimes not only is meaningless to the
recipient, but also can appear foolish. Follow the Breast Star rule:
no more than four. Use only one prenominal, the highest.
We
thank The Sovereign Grand Master Duke Maxalla for the kind
concession and collaboration
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