A Little “Secret”
All the chairs are arranged closely around the table, except for the main guest’s and the host’s. Guests sit on the side that lets them look out the window; hosts sit opposite so they can watch the door and make sure documents and coffee arrive on time.
If a guest arrives alone or with only a translator, offer them a prestigious spot on the sofa. The host should sit in the armchair to the left of the sofa. Don’t think of soft furniture in business offices as mere luxury.
Remember, the seat to the right of the host is the place of honor.
Flowers and Arrangements
Avoid placing flowers in tall vases on the table. Diplomatic protocol is often called conservative, but it still follows fashion trends. Giving three carnations or roses wrapped in cellophane feels like a throwback to the 1950s. Nowadays, stylish bouquets are in vogue. Bouquets of cornflowers, daisies, sweet peas, and nasturtiums go over especially well. Hollyhocks remain the most exquisite. Regardless of the flowers you choose to give, they shouldn’t be fully open.
Flowers can also convey respect through color. The guest quarters for a visitor from Poland were decorated with white and red flowers. When he entered, he paused—surprised—since those are the colors of his national flag.
In the fall, we were preparing to host a French delegation. We were offered stunning chrysanthemums for the receptions—flowers I’d never seen before. We declined because in France chrysanthemums are associated with mourning in November. Unfortunately, chrysanthemums still appeared in the guests’ residence, and they seemed to cast a pall over the guest’s wife.
When preparing for a meeting, think through every detail to maximize both its usefulness and the guests’ comfort.
Creating a Relaxation Corner
Add a relaxation corner to your summer cottage with creative planters made from recycled materials. Some people reuse old car tires for this. Another option is to take an old barrel: remove the bottom, reinforce the lower boards with a metal rim, bury it, add drainage and soil, and plant ferns or climbing plants. Nasturtiums look stunning in such planters.
Decorative planters can also be made from logs. Drill a hole and hollow it out with a flat chisel. A stump can also be used to plant daisies.
Repurpose old wicker baskets: secure them with wire and trim off the handles.
