When you’re 93, and the world’s most famous monarch, you just don’t have time for people who linger.
You know the type. The dinner party is over, you’re slumped lifeless on your couch, your bed is calling, and there’s that one person with what my grandmother calls ‘staying power’.
The Queen always arrives and leaves on time so she has limited tolerance for people with ‘staying power’.
That’s why she, her family and the servants have devised a way to politely kick people out of whichever palace they’re dining in.
Here’s Express with some insider info from Brian Hoey, author of Not In Front Of The Corgis.
“Guests are sometimes reluctant to go, so the family have devised codes to let their servants know when it is time for the guests to leave,” explained Hoey.
“They summon a butler and ask if the guest’s car has arrived.
“On hearing this the butler disappears for a moment and then announces that Lord and Lady so-and-so’s car is waiting in the drive.
“The royal host then rises and bids the guests farewell, and it’s a very thick-skinned man or woman who doesn’t take the hint after that.
Most of us don’t have butlers, but you could achieve the same effect by ordering your guest an Uber.
Moving on to dinner etiquette. While the Queen likes people to leave when it’s time to leave, Philip insists on some interesting dinner conversation.
“When Prince Philip gives a private dinner, he likes to decide the subject for conversation,” said Hoey
One lady was dismayed to find she was expected to contribute on the subject of ‘deciduous trees,’ about which she knew absolutely nothing.”
To make matters tricky for guests there’s a fine line when it comes to knowing too much or not enough. “If guests are not quite as knowledgeable as they should be, the Prince can become very touchy – but if someone is more expert than him it can just as easily ruin the occasion,” said Hoey.
He sounds like admin.
I’m also surprised that he’s allowed to talk at all considering his track record.
So in short – hire servants and conspire with them.
And if you really hate your guests, learn everything you can about deciduous trees.
[source:express]
