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 Alternatives
When you have fewer than ten guests, the simplest thing is
to sit everyone around the same table.
For more than ten guests, it is preferable to place them at
smaller tables, according to their common interests.
For formal functions, you must prepare a seating plan
following proper rules. Choosing a square or rectangular
table will reinforce the formal aspect of the occasion.
There are two types of seating arrangements:
- French-style, where the host and hostess sit opposite one
another at the middle of the table
- English-style, where the host and hostess sit opposite one
another at the ends of the table
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Protocol
The guests of honor are placed to the right of the hostess
if male, and to the right of the host if female. Heads of
state, princes of royal blood, or senior church officials
should sit in the host's place.
If several of these personalities are present at the same
table, this order of placement is to be strictly
observed.
Heads of state are first, followed by:
- Princes of royal blood
- Kings and queens
- Dukes
- Generals
- Members of the church
- Ministers
- Members of parliament and senators
- Members of the Académie Française
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Hostess
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Host
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Hostess
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Host
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You can alternate these personalities with their spouses
following the rule below: The lady placed to the right of
the host or important guest must not be the wife of the
gentlemen sitting to the right of the hostess or important
lady.
If they are the same age, married ladies and gentlemen are
to be placed before single ladies and gentlemen. This does
not include members of the clergy, who, whatever their age,
are to be placed to the right of the hostess, or host,
depending on whether they are male or female.
For a meal where you have invited someone for the first
time, they are to be given the place of honor.
Married couples are usually separated, unless they have been
married for less than a year. Couples who are engaged are
generally placed side by side.
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Some common sens
If there are so many guests that you are afraid of being
unable to memorize your seating plan, place cards with names
and titles in front of each place, taking care not to make
any spelling mistakes.
Place people who have common interests next to each other,
but try to avoid placing groups of people who know each
other well in the same corner, as this creates cliques.
Place people you know do not get along as far away from one
another as possible, and ensure that there are no excuses
for starting a new quarrel.
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