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23/02/2008, 20:18 Rose Joined on 06/02/2007 Dordogne (24) Posts 711 Evening with friends and neighbours Hello all - I'm thinking of inviting our neighbours and a few new friends over for an evening.  I would prefer not to go the 'dinner' route (mainly because we are limnited on space until we've finished the refurbishment) but I'm very happy to provide finger/fork food that people can nibble on whilst chatting and drinking.  If I were in the UK I'd know exactly what to do but I'm not sure what my new French friends would expect as normal... Any ideas or suggestions as to what I should do? Also, is it more correct to write to them all with an invitation or would this be too formal?    Report

23/02/2008, 21:40 Just Katie Joined on 11/03/2006 Posts 3,686 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours Rose, just do it the way you would in UK and you wont fail.  You will be doing something you are good at and (I assume) it would be something different for them. The immigrant in the attic    Report

23/02/2008, 21:43 LEO Joined on 15/04/2006 Calvados,14 Posts 981 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours I couldn't agree more , go for it Leo. www.vianormandy.com ( I owe , I owe , so it's off to work I go! )    Report

23/02/2008, 21:46 Rose Joined on 06/02/2007 Dordogne (24) Posts 711 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours Hi Katie (and Leo)... oddly enough I never really thought of doing that!  I used to love having friends around to our house in the UK and every few months I would invite them all around for the evening... After 6 months in France I've been feeling it's about time I did a bit of entertaining and thought it would be a good way of saying hello to all our new friends and neighbours... any excuse for a bit of a party...  thanks for the tip! p.s. are you still planning to move?    Report

23/02/2008, 22:13 Just Katie Joined on 11/03/2006 Posts 3,686 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours Yep The immigrant in the attic    Report

23/02/2008, 22:25 Tresco Joined on 23/08/2004 Charente Maritime. Posts 4,635 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours Rose, in my limited experience people here eat certain things at certain times. They also drink certain drinks at certain times. What to us is 'a bit of a party' can confuse and bewilder people who don't understand what they're in for. I'm not saying don't do it, but try and let them know it may not be quite what they're used to? So, Katie this is the first public mention of your impending crowning as the LF Queen of Paris. See, I keep my eye on you.    Report

23/02/2008, 22:52 Rose Joined on 06/02/2007 Dordogne (24) Posts 711 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours  Tresco wrote: Rose, in my limited experience people here eat certain things at certain times. They also drink certain drinks at certain times. What to us is 'a bit of a party' can confuse and bewilder people who don't understand what they're in for. I'm not saying don't do it, but try and let them know it may not be quite what they're used to? So, Katie this is the first public mention of your impending crowning as the LF Queen of Paris. See, I keep my eye on you. ah... thanks Tresco... perhaps I need to do a bit more research... any other tips welcome...    Report

23/02/2008, 22:53 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,407 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours I'm afraid I cheated (well, it was Christmas and I didn't want to do everything myself).  I paid a caterer, specifying numbers and that it was to be aperos only. The caterer made some fab bits (couldn't tell you what they were called), all savoury, about 4 different types.  I also served olives (which seemed very popular but be sure to leave out bowls for the stones).  The French were great, all came on time bringing super little prezzies and all left after about 2 hours.  The Brits, of course, stayed on rather longer .  Nice thing was we did get several invitations back as a result. It was the most tremendous fun and I plan to do it again when my outdoor sitting out area is finished.  I made sure the drinks and nibbles were really good and what I would have enjoyed myself and so, of course, all the guests enjoyed them as well.      Report

23/02/2008, 22:55 Tresco Joined on 23/08/2004 Charente Maritime. Posts 4,635 Re: Evening with friends and neighbours  Rose wrote: ...ah... thanks Tresco... perhaps I need to do a bit more research... any other tips welcome... Oh! Please don't be put off by what I've said Rose. I feel terrible now!    Report

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France Forum » French Culture » French Culture » Evening with friends and neighbours

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