A gift from a railway ball 1898. Belongs to the Swedish Railway Museum. (Click on the image to read more, in Swedish.)
Our rules of etiquette do not exist to make things complicated, but to ensure that the evening is pleasant and enjoyable for all concerned. The basics are simple: enjoy yourself and try to help others to enjoy themselves as well. To provide some help and inspiration, we have provided some thoughts on etiquette:
During the dinner
When the hostess takes her seat all guests are also welcome to do so. Both ladies and gentlemen are assumed to be able to take their seats without aid. If you would like a hand with your chair, please ask your table companion to assist you.
The first course of the meal will already be on the table when guests are asked to enter. The welcoming toast is the signal that the dinner has commenced, and no-one should start to eat until the hostess has indicated it is time.
Greet all people who surround you at the table. Remember to include others in your conversation. Please try not to speak only to the same person throughout the evening.
Toasting can be made with the drink of your choice – water is perfectly fine for toasting. To toast, simply raise your glass to your table partner, then to the person on the other side of you, and finally to the person opposite. We will attempt to seat people so that we have an even number of toastees – if this is not successful, please adapt this procedure so that it works.
All speeches shall be reported to the toastmaster before sitting down. The speeches are there to give a sense of community and atmosphere, and you are encouraged to be entertaining but brief. During a speech, all dinner guests will put down their cutlery and not touch their glasses.
Please try to refrain from leaving the table during the dinner. If you must, please do so as discreetly as you can manage. If you return during a speech it is asked that you wait until the speech has ended before taking your seat again.
After the dinner
Dancing is an integral part of any ball, and any guests who enjoy dancing are encouraged to do so! We expect there will be couples dancing waltz, foxtrot and lindy hop, and these will need to share the floor with both formation dancers and solo dancers. Music lovers who are not much for dancing are welcome to stand by the stage and cheer the band as they are playing.
The first two dances are to be with your table partner, as long as both parties are able and willing. Normally, one dances two dances in a row with the same person. All are encouraged to ask each other to dance – gentlemen, ladies and anyone else.
If you are not interested in dancing, please turn away from the dance floor when people are changing partners. Unless you have indicated you are not interested in dancing, you are encouraged to accept all invitations to dance unless you’re already busy.