On the afternoon of June 29th (last Saturday), Lai Ming-chi, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, gave a lecture on “Social Etiquette” at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center, sharing his etiquette knowledge and experience accumulated over decades in the diplomatic field.
The lecture was sponsored by the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China and hosted by four major organizations: the Chinese Chambers of Commerce in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley International Elite Association, the Northern California International Elite Association, and the San Francisco Bay Area International Lions Club.
Host Li Na-ya delivered the opening remarks, praising Director Lai Ming-chi who has served as an international ambassador for the Republic of China for several decades, stating that he is knowledgeable, humorous, witty, and displays high emotional intelligence with every gesture.
Director Lai Ming-chi introduced the concept of international etiquette, explaining that it has evolved over the years based on the traditions, customs, and experiences of Western countries. He emphasized the importance of etiquette principles, noting that while there are general rules, there can be exceptions. For example, the general rule of ladies first may be replaced by the principle of respecting seniors when dealing with superiors and subordinates.
In the realm of international social etiquette, sincerity is paramount when interacting with others. One’s genuine feelings should be evident in their eyes, handshake, and conversation. Etiquette extends to various aspects of daily life including dining, clothing, accommodation, and transportation. Proper table manners, seating arrangements at banquets, appropriate attire such as neckties, suit buttons, and socks for men, as well as seating arrangements in various transportation situations were discussed.
Director Lai Ming-chi concluded by highlighting the importance of communication in a multilingual world, pointing out that while languages may be limited, a smile and goodwill are universal languages in international diplomacy.
During the lecture, Director Lai Ming-chi showcased “valuable sample materials” from Republic of China state banquets, such as English-Chinese sample banquet invitations and menus. He challenged the audience to identify spelling and usage errors in the text for a chance to win prizes, encouraging active thinking and attention to detail.
Secretary-General Chen Boshui of the Chinese Chambers of Commerce in San Francisco, who spoke to Epoch Times, remarked that the lecture was engaging, filled with applause and laughter, and deemed it practical and informative.