GALA ETIQUETTE - Issuu (2024)

Perhaps the most beautiful student tradition in the Netherlands: galas! These events are special enough to bring entire associations together in their best clothing. But what does this tradition exactly entail? What do you wear? How do you invite your date? We have listed some tips for you so you are well prepared for galas during your upcoming student days!

Clothing

The dress code is decisive for what you will wear during the gala. Black tie means that the gentleman will wear a tuxedo and the lady will wear an evening dress or a neat co*cktail dress. If the dress code is white tie (the most formal dress code), the lady wears her most formal dress, and the gentleman will wear a black tail coat (rokkostuum in Dutch). In both cases, the gentleman will take care of the corsages, to make clear to the other guests that he and his date belong together. Besides that, it is common to have additional corsages together with your friend groups.

Invitations

Gala etiquette has a fairly classic division of roles: it is the gentleman’s task to invite a lady. But beware: if it is a leap year, it will be the other way around!

The gentleman poetically expresses his advances in silver letters, on blue paper. He will recognize the lady’s reply from the golden writing on pink paper, in which she invites him to tea. Traditionally, there is no mention of the gala during this tea date. The gentleman only bases his conclusions on what the lady serves with the tea. If she only offers tea, it means that she is not interested. A dry biscuit means that she will accept the invitation, but her intentions are mainly friendly. If the cup of tea is accompanied by cake, the gentleman knows that it is possible to win the heart of his lady. It is also possible that the cake is served with whipped cream: then the gentleman is sure of a romantic end to the evening.

Gala

The gentleman will pick the lady up well in time for the gala and will greet her with a modest hand kiss (unless she is wearing gloves). From that moment on he will be responsible for her well-being. The gentleman will walk on the right side of the lady and will always let her lead the way, except for stairs. These rules may be deviated from if the stairs are particularly steep: in that case the gentleman must be able to catch the lady if she falls.

Once arrived at the gala, the gentleman may ask the lady to dance by means of a slight bow. If she agrees, she will nod her head. In case the lady declines the offer, the gentleman must not immediately approach another lady, in order to avoid feeling second choice.

Permanently present in the Kick-In programme is the Cantus, organised by Ius Sanctus. This is a sorority of the social association A.S.V. Taste. The Cantus is probably the most student-like part of the Kick-In and is held at student associations throughout the year. Here we will try, with the help of one of the organisers, to give you a preview. Without taking away too much of the mystery, of course!

Probably still an unknown phenomenon for many, but I can assure you that you will come into contact with it more often. Cantus is Latin for singing and stands for a certain student-like singing and drinking feast. Despite the drinking and singing, the main purpose of the cantus is to fraternise. Getting to know each other better by singing together and sharing a drink.

The Mores society Ius Sanctus ensures that the mores (= unwritten rules and / or customs) are preserved within the student life in Enschede. The cantus is a real student tradition that once came from Leuven to Enschede. The Mores society Ius Sanctus brought the cantus to Enschede and made it big. In addition, Ius Sanctus has also been the lord and master of guiding the cantus for years. Ius Sanctus was also the first group to hold a public city cantus in the Netherlands, in the middle of the Oude Markt. Every year, the Taste Cantus during the Kick-In is the largest Enschede has ever known. Every year the tickets are sold out faster than you can pronounce the name of the capital of Madagascar. Every year many new students, just like you, are waiting nervously at the gates of the cantus for the unknown to come. This will be the most beautiful cantus in your early life.

As you can notice, I do not reveal a lot of what is actually going to happen. The best way to find out is to experience it! So pull the most student-like outfit out of the closet, arrange a ticket (within the 30 seconds, in which they will be sold out), warm up your voice and get ready for the cantus during the Kick-In!