There are certain unwritten rules you have to keep in mind when you visit people in their place. This article is going to speak about the good gestures that you should apply when you are invited to someone’s place. It will also share the bad gesture that you should definitely avoid.
So as always bring your chocolate bar and let’s start:
True versus Fake Eating Invitation:
Let’s imagine that your colleague who you are working with, has decided to invite you for a tea or a dinner.
It is normal to invite each other. Yet, you need to be sure of the invitation, whether it is a true or an open invitation, in other words, true vs fake invitation.
Do not be surprised, yes open or polite invitations do exist. And some countries in Europe do have this type of invitation,
English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese people consider this as a sort of politeness. So to avoid any misunderstanding.
You should always bear in mind that an open invitation is not a real invitation, and you should not take it seriously. Especially, if someone says something similar to this:
- Do come and see us sometimes.
- Do visit us any Sunday, we are always home during the afternoon.
Remember that these polite phrases, do not really reflect the true meaning.
True invitation:
![](https://nappot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pexels-photo-5638612-1024x682.jpeg)
A true invitation is usually fixed with a date and a specific meeting time. Therefore, it is recommended to follow some gestures that are unwritten rules. Yet everyone should follow them.
5 Good gestures when receiving a true invitation:
When you are invited to someone’s place, you should somehow follow some etiquettes that will show how polite and well-educated you are.
These good gestures are not written but applied by Europeans. Here are some of them:
1. Call To Confirm:
Telephone or message beforehand is really important to check whether it is a convenient time to visit them or not. Even though, you have received an invitation.
2. Bring Something With You:
It is always a good gesture to bring something with you that expresses how grateful you are. For example, flowers, drinks, gifts. And this, of course, depends on the invitation.
3. Compliment The Food:
A very important gesture is to compliment the food and the one who prepared, who is usually a Woman. She will REALLY appreciate it, and you may get another invitation.
Read more about compliment: how-to-use-compliments-in-europe-correctly
4. Send A Thanking Message:
It is considered a very good gesture to write them a thanking message after leaving. This will show how polite and friendly person you are.
5. Do Not Rush Leaving And Do Not Stay Longer:
It is always polite to leave after your meal. however, you should not rush quickly from the table, this is considered impolite.
Staying longer is also impolite, So what you can do is to leave an hour or so after the meal, unless they genuinely ask you to stay more.
English people may use the expression “Must you go?” which is a polite phrase that does not necessarily mean they want you to stay longer.
Good gesture sums:
- Call to confirm.
- Bring Something With You.
- Send A Thanking Message.
- Compliment The One Who Cooked.
- Do Not Rush Leaving And Do Not Stay Longer.
Picnic invitation:
![](https://nappot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pexels-photo-7569011-1024x684.jpeg)
If the invitation is not at their place, let’s say for example a picnic, it is always a good gesture to ask them whether you can bring some food with you, like sandwiches, fruits or drinks.
Usually, a picnic is an informal event, which would be either a family occasion or among a group of friends. When it is over you just need to thank your host for the great time you have spent.
That’s it for today, Thank you so much for reading so far, you may also like to read: 5-taboos-to-avoid-in-europe.
Picture source: pexels.com