Savoir Vivre Seminar

 

This intensive program will teach you invaluable skills which will set you apart from the uninitiated crowd of non-Europeans and will give you instant credibility with some of the most judgemental societies around the world. Here are some of the things you will learn during the seminar:

 

• Behavior and interaction in Europe.
• Addressing people of different stature.
• Cultural differences between Americans and Europeans.
• Common rules of politeness around the world.
• Avoiding conflicts and embarassment.
• Courtesy towards women in old European culture (ex.: When does one kiss women’s hands and when does one avoid it.)
   

1. A well-organized trip: how to combine the business purpose with sightseeing.
2. What should one know about the country one will be visiting – language, food, culture, history, weather, etc.
3. How to dress to official events – lectures, receptions, parties.
4. How to seat people by the table – different table arrangements/ configurations, hosts at the table.
5. Hosts of the party – who greets whom, who makes the first toast, who starts eating first, how to finish the meal/ reception.
6. How to arrange a nice dinner – aperitif, dinner, digestif, performance (music, recital).
7. Invitations – how to invite, how to address the person, what to write, the importance of handwriting.
8. RSVP and other ways of responding to invitations.
9. Souvenirs – what to offer to the host/guest: when are personal gifts acceptable? What to present to a statesman? How should to present the souvenir; protocolar way of exchanging gifts.
10. Accesories – the symbol of power, the symbol of professionalism.
11. Public speeches, photographs, other public situations – where to stay, how to behave, where to place the main guest.
12. What to do in situations when one has no idea what to do and how to stay cool, calm and collected, as well as project an image of professionalism and control over a crisis situation.
     

Official situations – interactions with statesmen or businessmen:

 

How to dress: dress code for business meetings, afternoon parties and evening events – what color, what length. What type of shoes women should wear during such events.

 

• Dress code for summer – even when it is incredibly hot!
• Behavior with women: how to behave towards women in Europe – the "door" situation (should I let a woman go first), shaking hands, introducing people (who is introduced first, who introduces whom to whom), when should we stand up if the woman is standing.
• Greetings: who reaches out first to shake another person’s hand; who says "hello" first, when should I stand when somebody is talking to me?

You will learn these important skills and more, which will make all the difference between success and failure in any professional, as well as personal situation at home and abroad. To find out more, please contact us by sending an e-mail to info(at)voloshinenterprises.com or by completing the contact form.

- Thank you for your interest!