No...I'm not makign this up. This friday, my family, two other families, and I are going to have dinner with the Chinese Ambassador to the U.N.
Let me back up a sec:
I have Thanksgiving every year with old family friends from England. All three families get together and have a good old Thanksgiving. A few years ago, one of the families signed up to host someone from to UN who might not be able to go home to their families for Thanksgiving. So a woman came that year and had dinner with us. I can't exactly remember her position, but I don't think it was very high up in the ranks.
So last year we decided to host another UN person. WE got the Chinese Ambassador to the UN, his wife, and his 21 yr. old daughter. It was SOOOO cool! We had a lot of fun with them talking over politics and fun stuff like that. The ambassador and his wife whooped my dad and my friend's dad in ping pong, but we made up for it in pool.
So earlier in the summer, our friends got a phone call from the ambassador's secretary, saying that he would like to repay the favor and invite us all to dinner at his house. The date was set for Friday. The dress is "formal"
Now for my real question to all you fashion buffs out there: What exactly does formal mean for a woman? It means a dark suit for men, but my mom and I have no idea what is appropiate. Do you have any ideas? I would be incredibly greatful Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
I would assume that it meant an evening gown. You probably don't have to go spend a million bucks, but something simple and elegant. Not prom dress, not Sunday floral dresses, but nice evening dress.
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Are you sure it isn't tuxes for the men? Semi-formal usually means "black tie optional" but usually formal means a tux.
Also, for the women, I'd wear something conservative and classy. Nothing too bright, too low cut, or too short. Black is always good.
Also, are you cool with etiquette and all? Man, I'd be nervous. But then again, I'd never go to one of these things with my family. They have yet to learn how to chew with their mouths closed. Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
Well....I hope that the ambassador and co. are not expecting too much from us. I mean, we're a wacky bunch, and it's a buffet. But hopefully I won't screw anything up.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
If you've dined with them before, I wouldn't be too worried. They know what to expect. Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
O.O (super-impressed)
Evie, that's so cool!!!
(jealousy)
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Ugh, I screwed up that sentence. Semi-formal means tuxes are optional, but usually, formal means tuxes.
Will you and your friends family be the only guests of the Ambassador that evening?
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
I think we're the only ones, but it should be a party. 3 families of 5 people each ( except for us, we're 4) and then the 3 of them....it should be some major fun
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
Sounds cool. Let us know how it goes!
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Traditionally, "formal" refers to a black tux for men and evening wear for women.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
You may want to call someone at the state department for suggestions.
Then again, they might try to turn you into spy's.
If you get a chance to get any photo's post them.
PS. I wonder if it will be chinese food? Since any food at the Chinese embassy is officially on Chinese land, it will be Chinese food, even if they serve Taco's.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Ever been a bride's maid in a wedding? If so, just wear your dress from that. If not, go to a bridal shop and find something appropriate. Be sure to stress that you need poofy sleeves.
Oh, and don't forget to accessorize with a nice tiara--the bigger the better--preferably encrusted with rinestones.
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
quote:You may want to call someone at the state department for suggestions.
This is a good suggestion, but I wonder if it might be better to contact the Chinese Embassy. At any rate, they will know what the protocol is for their functions.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
We already did. It basically said that "formal" meant dark suits for men, but it didn't specify for women. Thank you all for your suggestions, and wish me luck!
Posted by stev_101 (Member # 5584) on :
[ August 29, 2003, 10:43 AM: Message edited by: stev_101 ]
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Very neat. Give us a snippet afterward, please? (It would be very interesting, especially to see it through your eyes.)
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
Well...I just got home a few hours ago from NY. It was amazing. We packed up our car to within an inch of its life (we were also taking my brother to college) and started off. At around 3:30 we got to our friend's house in CT, where we changed into our dress clothes. I wore a little black dress, which I figured was the safest thing. We then set off to my other friend's house, about 30 min. away, where we were to be picked up to go into NYC.
The van that came was awesome. We called it the party van, and it sat 10 people. The 4 kids were in the back seat just having a grand old time.
We got to Trump Tower a little early, and thought it would be rude to walk in, so we amde the driver (Pablo) drive us around the block a few times. By this time we had gained 2 more passengers to total our party at 11, so the 4 kids were squished in the back, elbowing eachother for breathing room. We weren't so happy about staying the van.
We got out a little past 7 and went into Trump Tower and up to the 54th floor. On the floor, a man dressed in a balck and white, with white gloves, showed us into the apartment, where we were met by our host. He, his wife and his daughter were in a line to greet us into their house. It was so beautiful. Their living room was lovingly furnished, with an amazing view of NYC.
And then there was the food. It was a buffet dinner, so the food was all laid out on the table. It consisted of three courses. A cold course, a hot course, and a dessert course. The There was duck and shrimp and fish and (the group favorite) shrimp dumplings. This is apparently the moon festival in China, their harvest time, and the equivalent to Thanksgiving for us. We felt very honored to be sharing it with them.
The people were amazing. I had grown up with these families and my best friend and I had a great time. The men were talking politics with Mr. Ambassador and we talked with Madam about her time in China and her life. It was so much fun. Madam Ambassador then suggested that we take a group picture, and printed it out for us later.
Thank you for all your suggestions. I acctually felt a little over dressed, but I guess that's better than underdressed!
<---party van
Posted by Danzig (Member # 4704) on :
Sounds like fun, and definitely an experience to remember. I would write more about it and print it out for your own use years later.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Party]](graemlins/party.gif)
<---party van