How to make up for the difference of Sino-British culture in oral interpretation

As a result of different people located zoology, material, society reachs the environment such as religion to differ, culture of the language habit that consequently respective language environment came into being to differ, society, local customs waits all words condition elements a moment. Different culture setting creates people conversation kind or the habit is endless also and same. Accordingly, in communication, the talking way that people always likes to use his will explain the speech of the other side, this is likely make inaccurate deduction to the speech of the other side, produce conflict and obstacle thereby.

Oral interpretation dragoman should note these difference especially between the interpreter, if translate undeserved meeting,produce a few needless misunderstanding. Dragoman should take on the action of good bridge. We see the Sino-British culture difference of diction of guest of a few ceremonies and interpret way below:

One, greeting

The complimentary language of every country is different, for instance: Square host receives foreign visitor to be able to say in the airport in some: "Welcome, worked hard all the way. "We cannot metaphrase is: Welcome. You Must Be Tired All The Way? In English thinking customarily, it is right the person that tired holds should represent the word of care and not be the greeting that greet sb all over the face. By English the habit can say so: You've Had A Long Trip. Or Did You Have A Long Flight?

Chinese still has such compliment: "Your age is so old, the body is so healthy still. "Say English country is used to without similar expression. In their culture, people abstains from say age of the other side is old directly. Cannot interpret becomes: You Are Old But Still Look So Healthy. Such not only the meaning that cares a greeting without a bit, make people thinks you disrelish him to often do not die however. This can give others displeased. Can such interpret: You Look Great. Or You Look Wonderful. Can say between riper friend: Your Health Is Good.

2, appellation

On written words address, to Dear Governor... or Dear Minister... on the appellation with this kind of higher capacity, normally not interpret is " of minister of dear of " of " dear governor, " the " that this Dear habit respects with " .

"Ladies, gentlemen, friends " Chinese sounds very natural, in habit of Dan Zaiying language, "" just is in friends normally ladies before gentlemen:

Dear Friends,

Ladies And Gentlemen

3, intercourse polite formula

Intercourse polite formula should accord with habitual use to just appear nature, decent, civilized, sound otherwise let a person feel curt, cloddish, can cause misunderstanding even. The interpret law that a few typical polite formula cite below is exemple:

1, look around or the circumstance such as the talk, the honest person in often hearing says " raises precious opinion more please. "If metaphrase is: Please Give Us Your Valuable Comments. The issue came: Your opinion should be Valuable, not precious opinion avoids honour mouth please. Right interpret way is: Please Give Us Your Comments. Or We Welcome Your Comments.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom

General - comprises of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands
· includes 4 nationalities: English (England), Welsh (Wales), Scottish (Scotland) and Irish (Ireland)
· the largest cities are London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh
Geography – The UK is situated off the northwest coast of Europe bordered by the Atlantic ocean and from Europe separated by the North Sea and the English Channel. The Irish Sea and the North Channel separate Great Britain from Ireland.
Size - 244,820 sq km
Climate – mild & rainy (Gulf Stream)
Population – 56 million people (dense population)
Industries – highly industrialised – iron & steel engineering, motor vehicles, aircraft, textil, plastic, cotton, wool, chemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, food products (incl. fishing)
Mineral resources – coal, natural gas (North Sea), oil
Agriculture – wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beet, milk, meat, sheep

Government system:

The United Kingdom = Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a constitutional monarchy, the present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II., she has no real political power.
The UK is governed by the Cabinet ( 20 leading ministers + the Prime Minister). The supreme legislative body is the Parliament, this is split into two houses - The lower house is The House of Commons – 5 years (elected). The Upper house is The House of Lords which currently has hereditiary and life peerage members, although this is under review.
There is no written constitution (common law, conventions)
There are 3 main parties – Conversative (Tories) (right wing), Labour (left wing) and the Liberal Democrats (middle of the road).

England

Capital - London
Geography – situated in Britain
Size - 132,589 sq km

Wales

Capital - Cardiff
Geography - West, mountains and moorland
Size - 21,588 sq km
Climate - rainy
Industry – tourism, mining, manufacturing
Other - The oldest son of the English Monarch is given the title “Prince of Wales”. In 1999 Wales was granted devolution, this allows them to have their own elected parliament.

More on Wales

A quiz on Wales

Scotland

Capital - Edinburgh
Geography - North, hills, lakes (lochs – Lochness: where the mythical monster lives), mountains
Size - 80 234 sq km
Climate - cold and windy
Industry - tourism, oil, shipbuilding
Other - The Scotttish have their own traditions & way of life, they are very independent and have a special folklore and dress - kilts. In 1999 Scotland was granted devolution, this allows them to have their own elected parliament.

Northern Ireland (Ulster)

Capital - Belfast
Geography - The Irish Sea and the North Channel separate Great Britain from Ireland.
Size - 10,409 sq km
Climate - rainy
Industry - service, shipping, agriculture
Other - There are still many problems between the two main religions in Northern Ireland (Roman Catholic and Protestant)

Now test your knowledge and learn a bit more about the geography of the UK here.

Pocket History:

The first inhabitants; the Celts, came from North Europe before 6th century B. C.

The Roman Empire

AD 43 - The Roman invasion starts (they built towns, roads and centralised administration)
AD 450 - 550 germanic tribes invaded – Angles, Saxons, Jutes (Romans home, Celts in the mountains)
800 - 1000 - Vikings invade and raid coastal towns
1066 the Normans - William the Conqueror became King of England – hegemony of Normans

The Middle Ages

1170 - Thomas Becket murdered in Canterbury Cathedral
1172 - Henry II conquers Ireland
1215 – the Magna Carta was signed, this lay out the Supremacy of Law over the King and was the foundation of a parliamentary government
1283 - Wales conquered by Edward I
1314 - Robert Bruce defeats the English at Bannockburn
1327 - 1377 - Edward III reigned
1377 - 1399 - Richard II reigned
1399 - 1413 - Henry IV reigned
1413 - 22 - Henry V reigned
1337 – 1453 – the Hundred Years War (England vs. France)
1422 - 61 - Henry VI reigned
1461 - 83 - Edward IV reigned
1455 - 85 - War of the Roses - war between Yorks and Lancaster
1483 - 85 - Richard III reigned
1485 - 1509 - Henry VII reigned

House of Tudor

1509 - Henry Tudor (Henry VIII) established the Tudor dynasty
1534 - Henry VIII separated the English Church from Rome and became the head of Church of England
1547 - Death of Henry VIII
1547 - 1553 - Edward VI reigned
1553 - 1558 - Mary Queen of Scots reigned

The Elizabethan Age

1558 - The reign of Elisabeth I began. – England became a world power
1588 - British defeated the Spanish Armada. British colonization began with Virginia colonies.
1603 - Death of Elizabeth I

House of Stuart

1603 - 1625 - James I reigned, King of England and Scotland; union of Scottish and English crowns
1616 - Death of Shakespeare (the true end of the Elizabethan age)
1625 - 1649 - Charles I reigned
1642 – 1649 – Civil War – The King, Charles I. vs. Parliament, T Oliver Cromwell (puritan republic) – Oliver Cromwell won but became unpopular.
1660 monarchy restored (Charles II.)1688 - "Glorious Revolution" brings William and Mary to the throne
1660 - 1685 - Charles II reigned
1689 - 1702 - William III reigned
1702 - 1714 - Anne reigned

The Georgians (The house of Hannover)

1714 - 1727 George I reigned
1721 - 42 - Sir Robert Walpole serves as first Prime Minister
1727 - 1760 - George II reigned
1745 - Bonnie Prince Charlie led the Jacobite Rebellion (failed)
1761 - 1820 - George III reigned
1756 - 63 - Seven years' war with France
1801 - Ireland brought into the UK by act of union; becomes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
1805 - Lord nelson defeats the combined French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar
1815 - Wellington defeats Napoleon at Waterloo
1820 - 1830 - George IV reigned
1830 - 1847 - William IV reigned
1837 - 1901 - Queen Victoria reigned
1837 – 1901 - The Industrial Revolution – Britain dominated world industry, commerce and the military

Modern Times

1901 - 1910 - Edward VII reigned
1910 - 1936 - George V reigned
1914 - 1918 - WW I
1936 - Edward VIII Adbdication
1936 - 1952 - George VI reigned
1939 - 1945 - WW II
1952 - onward - Elizabeth II reigns
Post War- Labour government – economy was nationalized, free health care and education
1979 Conservative government - privatised national industries, reduced welfare (the Thatcher years)
1996 - Labour (New Labour) comes to power under the leadership of Tony Blair..

The Union Jack

Contrary to popular belief this is not the national flag of the UK, however the Union Flag or Union Jack is the flag most commonly associated with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was also used throughout the former British Empire. It retains an official or semi-official status in many Commonwealth Realms.

It is commonly referred to as the Union Jack, but Union Flag is actually the correct form as it only becomes a Jack when flown from a ship's jack mast.

The current design of the Union Flag or Jack dates from the union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801 with the formation of the United Kingdom.

The Court of the Lord Lyon , which has criminal jurisdiction in heraldic matters in Scotland, confirms that the Union Flag "popularly called The Union Jack , is the correct flag for all citizens and corporate bodies of the United Kingdom to fly to demonstrate their loyalty and their nationality."

A careful examination of the flag shows that, contrary to popular belief, the flag does not have reflectional symmetry, but has a right side and a wrong side up. A mnemonic to remind those flying the flag which end is up is Wide white top - the broad white stripe (composing part of the cross of Saint Andrew) should be above the red stripe (the cross of Saint Patrick) in the upper hoist of the flag (the hoist is the half of the flag near the flagpole). Flying the Union Jack upside-down may be regarded as a distress signal.

Terminology: "Union Flag" or "Union Jack"?

The issue of whether it is acceptable to use the term "Union Jack" is one that causes considerable controversy. Although it is often asserted that "Union Jack" should only be used for the flag when it is flown as a jack (a small flag flown at the bow of a ship), it is not universally accepted that the "Jack" of "Union Jack" is a reference to such a jack flag; other explanations have been put forward. See [1]  ( http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page398.asp ) . Even if the term "Union Jack" does derive from the jack flag (as perhaps seems most likely), it has been in use since the early 1700s and, after three centuries, is now sanctioned by usage, has appeared in official usage and remains the popular term.

The term "Union Flag", on the other hand, is indisputably correct and because of this is the term preferred in official documents and by vexillologists (people who study flags).

History

Original Grand Union Flag

Original Grand Union flag of 1606 .

When James VI of Scotland also became James I of England in 1603 , the two kingdoms of England and Scotland became united through the institution of the Crown. On April 12, 1606 , a "Grand Union" flag was created to represent this grand union. A proclamation was issued: "All our subjects in this our isle and kingdom of Great Britain and the members thereof, shall bear in their main top the red cross commonly called St George's Cross and the white cross commonly called St. Andrew's Cross joined together according to a form made by our heralds and sent to our Admiral to be published to our said subjects."

The flag was a superposition of the red cross of St George of England and the saltire of St Andrew of Scotland . Note however that the ground of the Grand Union flag is a deep "navy" blue. The blue ground of the Scottish national flag, the saltire, from which the blue ground of the Grand Union flag is derived, is a lighter "royal" blue. The Welsh flag never became part of the Grand Union flag because Wales had been annexed by Edward I of England much earlier and Wales was considered to be a part of the kingdom of England .

The flag became 'the ensign armorial of the United Kingdom of Great Britain' as one of the provisions of the Act of Union on May 1st 1707, when the kingdoms of England and Scotland were officially united.

Current Union Flag

+ =

The current Union Flag dates from 1801 with the 1801 Act of Union with Ireland. The new design added the red saltire cross attributed to St Patrick for Ireland. The saltire is counterchanged to combine it with the saltire of St Andrew. The red cross actually comes from the heraldic device of the Fitzgerald family who were sent by Henry II of England to aid Anglo-Norman rule in Ireland and has rarely been used as an emblem of Ireland by the Irish: a harp, a Celtic cross , a shamrock, or (since 1922) an Irish tricolour have been more common. The St Patrick's saltire flag has been used in more recent times for St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, by various organisations wishing to avoid the sectarianism that may be implied by the use of either the tricolour or symbols of Unionism.

The flag is blazoned Azure, the Crosses Saltire of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, quarterly per saltire, counterchanged Argent and Gules, the latter fimbriated of the second, surmounted by the Cross of St. George of the third, fimbriated as the saltire.

Status

The Union Flag is a royal flag, rather than a national flag. In fact, no law has ever been passed making it a national flag, but it has become one through usage. Its first recognition as a national flag came in 1908, when it was stated in Parliament that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag". A more categorical statement was made by the Home Secretary in 1930, when he stated that "the Union Flag is the National Flag". Civilian use is permitted, but stricter guidelines apply for use on naval vessels where the flag may not be used as a jack by merchant ships (see below).

Folklore

Much of the folklore of the United Kingdom pre-dates the UK. Though some of the characters and stories are present across Britain, most belong to specific countries or regions. Common folkloric beings include pixies, giants, elfs, bogeymen, trolls, goblins and dwarves. While many legends and folk-customs are thought to be ancient, for instance the tales featuring Offa of Angeln and Weyland Smith,^[47] others date from after the Norman invasion; Robin Hood and his Merry Men of Sherwood and their battles with the Sheriff of Nottingham being, perhaps, the best known.^[48]

During the High Middle Ages tales originated from Brythonic traditions, notably the Arthurian myth.^[49][50][51] Deriving from Welsh source; King Arthur, Excalibur and Merlin, while the Jersey poet Wace introduced the Knights of the Round Table. These stories are most centrally brought together within Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae. Another early figure from British tradition, King Cole, may have been based on a real figure from Sub-Roman Britain. Many of the tales and pseudo-histories make up part of the wider Matter of Britain, a collection of shared British folklore.

Merlin advising King Arthur in Tennysons' Idylls of the King, 1868

The Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid that is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The legendary monster has been affectionately referred to by the nickname Nessie since the 1950s.^[52] The Leprechaun figures large in Irish folklore. A mischievous fairy type creature in emerald green clothing who when not playing tricks spend all their time busily making shoes, the Leprechaun is said to have a pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow, and if ever captured by a human it has the magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for release.^[53] In mythology, English fairytales such as Jack and the Beanstalk helped form the modern perception of giants as stupid and violent, while the legendary dwarf Tom Thumb is a traditional hero in English folklore. Some folk figures are based on semi or actual historical people whose story has been passed down centuries; Lady Godiva for instance was said to have ridden naked on horseback through Coventry, the heroic English figure Hereward the Wake resisted the Norman invasion, Herne the Hunter is an equestrian ghost associated with Windsor Forest and Great Park, and Mother Shipton is the archetypal witch.^[54] The chivalrous bandit, such as Dick Turpin, is a recurring character, while the colourful English pirates Blackbeard and Calico Jack are renowned.^[33] Legendary figures from nineteenth century London whose tales have been romanticised include Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber of Fleet Street, and serial killer Jack the Ripper. On 5 November, people in England make bonfires, set off fireworks and eat toffee apples in commemoration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot centred around Guy Fawkes, which became an annual event after The Thanksgiving Act of 1606 was passed.^[55] Halloween is a traditional and much celebrated holiday in Ireland and Scotland on the night of October 31.^[56] The name Halloween is first attested in the 16th century as a Scottish shortening of the fuller All-Hallows-Even,^[57] and has its roots in the gaelic festival Samhain, where the Gaels believed the border between this world and the otherworld became thin, and the dead would revisit the mortal world.^[58] Gaelic practices included; wearing costumes and masks that was an attempt to copy the spirits or placate them,^[56][59] large communal bonfires would hence be lit to ward off evil spirits, turnips were hollowed-out and carved with faces to make lanterns — also used to ward off harmful spirits,^[56] going from door to door guising — children disguised in costume requesting food or coins,^[60] playing games such as apple bobbing.^[61] Many of these traditional practices remain popular in Ireland and Scotland on Halloween, and further contemporary imagery of Halloween is derived from Gothic and Horror literature (notably Shelley's Frankenstein and Stoker's Dracula), and classic horror films (such as Hammer Horrors). Mass transatlantic Irish and Scottish immigration in the 19th century popularized Halloween in North America.^[62]

Sociological issues

Housing

The UK has one of the highest population densities in the world.^[137] Housing, therefore, tends to be more closely packed than in other countries, resulting in a particular affinity with the terraced house, dating back to the aftermath of the Great Fire of London.^[138]

As the first industrialised country in the world, the UK has long been urbanised.^[139] In the twentieth century, the process of suburbanisation led to a spread of semi-detached and detached housing. In the aftermath of the second world war, public housing was dramatically expanded to create a large number of council estates, although the majority of these have since been purchased by their tenants.

There is a wealth of historic country houses and stately homes in rural areas, though the majority of these are now put to other uses than private living accommodation.

In recent times, more detached housing has started to be built. Also, city living has boomed with city centre population's rising rapidly. Most of this population growth has been accommodated through new apartment blocks in residential schemes, such as those in Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester.

Demographic changes (see below) are putting great pressure on the housing market, especially in London and the South East.

Living arrangements

Historically most people in the United Kingdom lived either in conjugal extended families or nuclear families. This reflected an economic landscape where the general populace tended to have less spending power, meaning that it was more practical to stick together rather than go their individual ways. This pattern also reflected gender roles. Men were expected to go out to work and women were expected to stay at home and look after the families.

In the 20th century the emancipation of women, the greater freedoms enjoyed by both men and women in the years following the Second World War, greater affluence and easier divorce have changed gender roles and living arrangements significantly. The general trend is a rise in single people living alone, the virtual extinction of the extended family (outside certain ethnic minority communities), and the nuclear family arguably reducing in prominence.

From the 1990s, the break up of the traditional family unit, when combined with a low interest rate environment and other demographic changes, has created great pressure on the housing market, in particular regarding the accommodation of key workers such as nurses, other emergency service workers and teachers, who are priced out of most housing, especially in the South East.

Some research indicates that in the 21st century young people are tending to continue to live in the parental home for much longer than their predecessors.^[140][141] The high cost of living, combined with rising cost of accommodation, further education and higher education means that many young people cannot afford to live independent lives from their families.

National costume and dress

As a multi-national state,^[142][143] the UK has no single national costume. However, different countries within the United Kingdom have national costumes or at least are associated with styles of dress. Scotland has the kilt and Tam o'shanter, and tartan clothing — pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours — is a notable aspect of Gaelic culture.^[144] In England certain military uniforms such as the Beefeater or the Queen's Guard are considered to be symbolic of Englishness, though they are not official national costumes. Morris dancers or the costumes for the traditional English May dance are sometimes cited as examples of traditional English costume, but are only worn by participants in those events.

This is in large part due to the critical role that British sensibilities have played in world clothing since the eighteenth century. Particularly during the Victorian era, British fashions defined acceptable dress for men of business. Key figures such as the future Edward VII, Edward VIII, and Beau Brummell, created the modern suit and cemented its dominance. Brummell is credited with introducing and establishing as fashion the modern man's suit, worn with a tie.^[145]

Fashion

London as one of the world's four fashion capitals, the London Fashion Week is one of the 'Big Four' fashion weeks.^[146] Organised by the British Fashion Council, the event takes place twice each year, in February and September. The current venue for most of the "on-schedule" events is Somerset House in central London, where a large marquee in the central courtyard hosts a series of catwalk shows by top designers and fashion houses,^[147] while an exhibition, housed within Somerset House itself, showcases over 150 designers.^[148] However, many "off-schedule" events, such as On|Off and Vauxhall Fashion Scout, are organised independently and take place at other venues in central London.^[149] British designers whose collections have been showcased at the fashion week include Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, while British models who have featured at the event include Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Jade Jagger and Jodie Kidd. Fashion designer Mary Quant was at the heart of the "Swinging London" scene of the 1960s, and her work culminated in the creation of the miniskirt and hot pants.^[150] Quant named the miniskirt after her favourite make of car, the Mini.^[151] The English fashion designer Charles Frederick Worth is widely considered the father of Haute couture.^[152][153]

British humour

British humour is a somewhat general term applied to certain comedic motifs that are often prevalent in comedic acts originating in the United Kingdom and its current or former colonies. Comedy acts and television programmes typical of British humour include Monty Python, Benny Hill, and Keeping Up Appearances to name a few that have become quite popular outside of the United Kingdom. At times, however, such humour can seem puzzling to non-British speakers of English (for example, references to British slang terms or people who are not internationally known), while certain Commonwealth nations (such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa) tend to find it more familiar. Many UK comedy TV shows typical of British humour have been internationally popular, and have been a strong avenue for the export and representation of British culture to an international audience.

National Dress in Britain

Scottish National Dress

One of the most famous national costumes in the world is that worn in Scotland, the kilt, however some people say that the kilt is not as traditional as some would have it. Be that as it may it is certainly what people associate with Scotland, along with whisky and haggis that is.

Some people consider it very bad luck to wear a kilt in a tartan that does not belong to your family.

Just to remind you should you visit Scotland any time - the men do not wear skirts - they wear kilts - and don't you forget it!

Gentlemen

Today traditional dress for men in Scotland is a kilt with shirt, waistcoat and tweed jacket, stockings with garter flashes, brogue shoes and a sporran. A bonnet is often worn displaying the clan crest.

Ladies

Traditionally ladies don't wear kilts, they do however wear dresses or pleated skirts in a tartan material. More often though they wear a light plaid or shawl of tartan material,

For more information on Scottish National dress visit the Clan Campbell Society North America web site.

Do you want to know what a Scotsman wears under his kilt? - Click here if you dare!

Welsh National Dress

Welsh National dress is relatively young and not as famous as Scottish National dress. Still they do have a National costume, but it's the way the ladies dress that is most well known, in fact there isn't really a National costume for men although recently through the rise of nationalism in Wales a tartan has been created and tartan trousers or kilts are often worn.

For the ladies the typical Welsh costume consists of a hat, made of black felt, with a high crown and wide brim, which is worn over a lace cap. A red flannel shawl is worn over a crisp white blouse, and a full skirt made of wool with a black and white check pattern and a starched, white apron. Proper Welsh ladies always wore black woolen stockings and black shoes and carried a basket, made from willow withies.

Read more about the Welsh National costume at the Museum of Welsh Life - St Fagans.

Irish National Dress

With the revival of Irish dancing, the traditional Irish costume has become associated with the bright flamboyant costumes worn by traditional Irish dancers. However in ancient Ireland people were more likely to be seen wearing 'leine' (Irish for shirt), trews (Irish for trousers) and long cloaks fastened with a brooch.

You can get more information on the changing styles of Irish dress on the Government of Ireland website.

All in all there are a lot of myths and legends surrounding many of the so called 'traditional' costumes. Often when you do some real historical research you will find that they aren't that old or traditional.

English National Dress

Unfortunately the English don't really have a traditional National Dress as such. In one notorious episode during the Miss World pageant the English contestant came out wearing a Beefeater's costume, it was very embarrassing I can tell you.

There have been calls over the years to create a costume, but as usual no-one can decide on what it should look like. Even Henry VIII got in on the act and commissioned an artist called Van Dyck to create an English National Costume, this also failed. So for lack of anything else I will leave you with the following picture of the nearest thing - a Beefeater costume as worn by Miss England.

Dressing for the Occasion

When invited to a formal/business function there is nothing worse than discovering you've dressed incorrectly. If you receive an invitation that gives no indication of dress requirements, telephone your host and ask. The following will guide you on formal wear.

Semi-formal

Men

Women

• Good quality dark suit.
• White shirt, dark tie.
• Dark socks and black shoes

• Ballet or cocktail-length dress.

  Formal 

• Tuxedo preferred - Dark suit acceptable in some situations. Ask your host.
• Do not wear tails

• Long dress

  Black Tie 

• Tuxedo (dinner jacket).
• White dress shirt, cuff links and studs
• Cummerbund (wide silk belt)
• Black silk socks
• Black patent leather shoes

• Long dress
• Sheer stockings
• Peau-de-soie pumps (i.e., heavy silk or silk-like material shoes) dyed to match dress or evening sandals

 White Tie  

• Tails
• White wing shirt, cuff links and studs
• White bow tie
• White cummerbund or white vest
• White gloves (optional)
• Black silk socks
• Black patent leather shoes

• Long dress
• Sheer hose
• Peau-de-soie pumps dyed to match dress or evening sandals
• Long, white gloves

Play it safe. For the men colourful ties and cummerbunds are not businesslike. For the ladies low-cut, slinky, sexy dresses are not suitable for business functions.