What is the order of service at an army formal dinner?
In the British Army these are usually known as Ladies Dinner Nights. You WILL be sitting either next to or opposite your boyfriend – it would be bad manners for a guest to have to sit with strangers. There is usually a seating plan to look at in the bar/foyer when you arrive so check it and get your bf to introduce you to those sitting nearby before dinner is called. Ask him what the dress code is – if it is long dresses you don’t want to turn up in cocktail length. I’m going to assume you have reasonable table manners (!) so the main thing is that you don’t just get up & leave the table until a ‘comfort break’ is announced. Try to relax and enjoy yourself – remember that every guest there was once at their first dinner night so there will be others there who understand. It could be a good topic for you talk about with his friends at the dinner table.
