ANNIVERSARY PARTY ETIQUETTE

There is a seating arrangement for the celebration, meaning each person's seat is marked with a name card. If there are people at your table whom you do not know, it is polite to introduce yourself at the beginning and to maintain conversation with others, not just with those you are familiar with, throughout the event. At the celebration, the table group forms a small community where no one should feel left out. 

 

 

The event begins with a welcome toast and introductory words. During the celebration, an appetizer, main course, and dessert are served, followed by coffee with an "avec" after dessert. The "avec" is either cognac or liqueur.

 

According to etiquette, cold dishes should not be started until everyone has received their food, but in order to expedite service, especially during large events, this rule is often relaxed. Hot dishes can be started as soon as your nearest neighbors have received their meals. At this stage, especially with the main course, you will often hear wishes of "enjoy your meal" exchanged across the table.

 

 

It is important to remember that when someone is giving a speech, others should remain quiet, even if the speech feels long. It is also inappropriate to eat or drink during speeches and songs. When raising glasses for a toast, the process follows the familiar pattern from student sittings: first, you look at your neighbors on your left and right, and finally at the person sitting opposite you. The glasses do not touch, but a small nod replaces the clinking.

 

 

Group singing is a part of academic anniversary celebrations. Often, the entire gathering sings together, but sometimes individual tables will spontaneously sing a song or two. The songs can be found in songbooks placed at each guest's seat. No singing takes place during the main course or while eating.

 

 

After the speeches and dessert, the dancing begins. At this point, you can relax and loosen your tie.

 

 

Bringing your own beer to these celebrations is strictly forbidden. If you wish to bring your own drinks, please use a small, discreet flask. It’s also important to note that you should not leave the table to "powder your nose" or hold premature conferences until the main course has been served.

 

At our annual celebration, "conferences" (i.e., sharing a drink from a flask) are permitted, but it’s still important to observe proper etiquette during such moments. In general, it is courteous to wait until the formal program is over before loosening your tie. During the meal, alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation, and water should be used to quench thirst. After the main course, the program typically becomes more relaxed, and movement between the table, conference areas, and restrooms increases. However, it is polite to remain seated as long as possible until the formal program has concluded. 

 

 

At the annual celebration, formal attire is required, such as a tailcoat, dark suit, or full-length evening gown.

 

 

With the tailcoat, the trousers have no cuffs and feature a silk side stripe. A white waistcoat is typically worn. The shirt is a white tailcoat shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons at the front and gold cufflinks. With the tailcoat, black silk socks and black patent leather shoes are worn, along with a white (self-tied) bow tie. Wearing a wristwatch is not recommended with a tailcoat.

 

 

A dark suit is appropriate for all occasions, regardless of the time of day, and can replace a tailcoat. The term "dark suit" refers to a suit in dark gray, dark blue, or black. The fabric may have subtle stripes, but not pinstripes. With a dark suit, a formal shirt is typically white, but conservative colors or light stripes can also be worn (double cuffs are optional). The tie (or bow tie) should be restrained and formal. With a dark suit, shoes should be black, and according to traditional rules, brown shoes are not worn after 6:00 PM. Socks are a common stumbling block for many dressers. Socks should match the color of the shoes (and suit) and be long enough to avoid showing bare skin when sitting.

 

 

A full-length evening gown is a floor-length dress made of formal fabric, either open or strapless. In the academic world, a more covered or long-sleeved evening gown is also acceptable.

 

 

The outfit is complemented by elegant jewelry (no wristwatch unless it is a decorative piece). Gloves may be worn, which should reach the elbows when worn with a strapless dress. Shoes can be sleek, high-heeled pumps or formal sandals. The bag should be small, in a “clutch” style. It is not appropriate to place the handbag on the table during the meal.

 

 

The outfit can be complemented by academic insignia and a ribbon of the student organization. When wearing academic insignia with a tailcoat, a pocket square should not be worn. The organization ribbon is worn either under the suit from the right shoulder to the left hip, or folded into a rosette on the left chest. The ribbon must not touch the skin. You can purchase the organization ribbon during office hours.

 

 

Since Legio's anniversary is still a student celebration, some flexibility in the dress code is allowed. So, if you cannot find something strictly in line with the dress code in your wardrobe, you should not skip the celebration because of it. The most important thing is to focus on proper festive behavior. You can ask older students for tips on what to wear. 

 

 

 

Guidance video on folding cognac ears made by Pori business students HERE.

 

 

Instructions for making a rosette from Legio's organization ribbon HERE.

 

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Approved at the board meeting on 21.9.2021.

 

 

General Provisions

 

1 § These guidelines stipulate the criteria and practices for awarding the honorary badge of the subject association Legio Ostiensis ry, as well as the use of the organization’s ribbon.

 

2 § The association uses an honorary badge, an organization ribbon, and a board medal.

 

 

 

Honorary Badge Awarded by the Association

 

3 § The association's board decides on the awarding of the honorary badge and the number of badges to be awarded. The honorary badge is awarded based on a majority decision of the board.

 

4 § The honorary badge can be awarded to a person who has significantly contributed to the benefit of the association or promoted its purpose. Members of the association may submit proposals to the board for individuals to be honored, with justifications. Grounds for being named a distinguished member of Legio Ostiensis could include:

 

− The individual has helped the association develop in a positive direction and significantly increased its positive and respectable visibility.

 

− The individual has borne a substantial responsibility in organizing events that promote the community and cohesion of the association.

 

− In their trusted positions, the individual has performed diligent and ambitious advocacy work on behalf of public law major students and other students of the law school.

 

5 § The awarded honorary badges are presented at the association’s annual celebration or at another event by decision of the board. The presentation of the badges is overseen by the board representative who made the award decision.

 

6 § The board must keep a record of those who receive honorary badges and the date of their award. The grounds for the award must be specified and archived.

 

7 § The honorary badge may be awarded to the same individual only once.

 

8 § The honorary badge is worn at academic celebrations and other events where the badge is appropriate, as well as at the association’s formal events. The badge is worn with the organization’s ribbon, either on the lapel of the suit’s breast pocket or on the left side of the suit jacket.

 

9 § The honorary badge is gold-colored and measures 20 mm in width and 15 mm in height. It features the logo of Legio Ostiensis ry.

 

 

 

Organization Ribbon of the Association

 

10 § The association has an organization ribbon that is worn at academic celebrations and when representing the association.

 

11 § The organization ribbon is 25 mm wide and symmetrical along its centerline. The ribbon consists of five 5 mm wide stripes: the outermost stripe is burgundy, followed by golden yellow, with white in the center.

 

12 § Every member of Legio Ostiensis ry has the right to obtain the organization ribbon for themselves. The right to use the ribbon is lifelong, as is the membership of the association. The board of the association decides on awarding the ribbon to non-members.

 

13 § The ribbon is worn across the right shoulder to the left hip, or as a rosette on the left chest. It is worn under the waistcoat with formal attire, and over the waistcoat and tie with everyday wear. The ribbon must not touch bare skin.

 

14 § When wearing the ribbon, the rest of the attire must be appropriate to the occasion and the dignity of the ribbon.

 

15 § When wearing the ribbon together with the student union ribbon or other organization ribbons, the ribbon of Legio Ostiensis ry should be worn on top if it is a Legio Ostiensis ry event.

 

 

 

Board Medal

 

16 § The board medal is awarded to all individuals serving on the board of Legio Ostiensis ry at the beginning of their term. The medal can only be awarded to a person once, even if they serve on multiple boards of Legio Ostiensis ry.

 

17 § The board medal is worn at academic celebrations and other events where the medal is appropriate, as well as at the association’s formal events. The board medal is worn on the lapel of the suit’s breast pocket or on the left side of the suit, below the possible organization ribbon rosette.

 

18 § The board medal is a medal hanging from a burgundy ribbon, depicting the logo of Legio Ostiensis ry. The medal has a diameter of 30 mm, and the ribbon is 80 mm long.