Chapter 441 This is not in accordance with etiquette

Since it is related to underwater salvage, we should go and take a look at it.

But Xiao Peng felt uncomfortable when he thought about how mysterious this so-called 'Mr. Friedrich' was.

"If he wanted to meet me, why didn't he just come over himself?" Xiao Peng frowned and asked, "From what I know, these so-called 'nobles' are supposed to be very polite. Why would they be so anxious to send me an invitation?"

Heidi smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Xiao, you're right. Mr. Friedrich should have come in person, but he had his reasons. And this invitation was indeed sent too hastily. But when you see him, I'm afraid you'll understand why he acted this way."

This kind of formal cocktail party has a proper English term, literally translated as a "black tie banquet." Invitations to such cocktail parties must be sent out three days in advance, and Friedrich's invitation was sent so quickly that it posed a real challenge for Xiao Peng.

Because this kind of cocktail party has very high dress requirements for men, generally speaking, "simple, refined, noble, and elegant", just like Xiao Peng's charity cocktail party in Paris, where no one was allowed in without a tie. Attending such a cocktail party and trying to stand out from the crowd is a sign of ignorance.

But Heidi said, "We've already prepared clothes for you. Mr. Hutton, who came with me, is a very good tailor. He can tell your physical condition just by looking at you. He has sent back your body data to help you adjust your clothes."

Xiao Peng curled his lips. This guy was really thoughtful. It seemed like Mr. Friedrich was determined to get the invitation.

"You guys are really thoughtful." Xiao Peng said.

Heidi smiled slightly: "This is our minimum etiquette. As for Mrs. Walter and the children, they can go with you or stay here. If they need someone to take care of them, we can leave someone here. It all depends on your opinion."

After hearing this, Walter hurriedly said: “It’s okay, just let Diane and Tom stay in the hotel. They prefer this kind of occasion.”

Heidi said, "In that case, Mr. Xiao, when can we set off?"

Xiao Peng stood up and said, "I'm not the type to waste time. Since we're going... Walter, go find Fabian. We'll leave now! Hiss..."

He frowned slightly as he stood up too quickly.

"Mr. Xiao, are you okay?" Heidi was very good at observing people's expressions.

Xiao Peng shook his head. "It's okay. I got a little injured while skiing a few days ago, but I'm much better now. Wait here for me, I'll go change my clothes..."

He couldn't continue his words because he noticed that Heidi was staring at his crotch.

What the hell do you mean by licking your lips? I even have an ice pack stuffed in my crotch!

But I'm a low-key person...

No explanation!

When Fabian came over and learned about these things, he held the invitation and asked in confusion: "Xiao, do you know these people on the list?"

Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "I don't know any of them."

"Then why did they invite you?" Fabian asked.

Xiao Peng put on his clothes and said, "We are invited!"

"Come on!" Fabian waved his hand. "Since this is related to underwater salvage, you're definitely invited. I'm just a guest. These German nobles are so unceremonious, aren't they? This invitation is very unconventional!"

Xiao Peng curled his lips and said, "Are you guys in this so-called upper class tired? Why don't you first think about why he invited us? Instead, you think his etiquette is not up to par."

Fabian shook his head after hearing this. "This is a sign of respect for our guests! Besides, why should we be invited? That's none of my business. Since it's related to underwater salvage, that's definitely your concern. I should be thinking about how to sell the salvaged items and how much money we can make. Walter, what exactly does this Friedrich do?"

Walter explained, "When I was still in the army, he was the Chief of Staff of our General Staff Headquarters. He was my old superior and a very righteous elder. After the killing of civilians, he left the army and entered politics. He was an honest official and has always been committed to promoting a peaceful resolution to the Middle East issue and improving people's livelihoods. He is a man worthy of respect."

Fabian curled his lips after hearing this and said, "But why does he pay so little attention to etiquette?"

Xiao Peng said helplessly, "Fabian, that's enough! How long have you been nagging about this etiquette?"

Fabian protested, "This is respect! Respect! Don't you Chinese people value etiquette?"

Xiao Peng laughed after hearing this: "You really hit the nail on the head. In our country, there are some people who admire your Western aristocratic etiquette. They feel that we are not as polite as you. In fact, our country has been a country of etiquette since ancient times. In ancient times, from the court to the common people, everything was done with etiquette. The etiquette of dining is all-encompassing and has no blind spots! For example, when it comes to sending invitations, different people are needed to send them to people of different status. If you are of a lower status than yourself, you will send your butler or servant; if you are of a similar status, you will send your sons and nephews; if you are of a higher status than yourself, If you're of higher status, you have to go in person. If you're significantly higher, you'll ask the most senior member of your clan to invite you. There's also a set number of days: you have to invite three days in advance to be considered an "invite," two days to be a "request," and one day to be a "bring." And if you go on the same day? That's just making up the numbers! These invitations aren't just written casually. If I invited you for a drink in ancient China, I'd write a short essay, starting with the weather and my mood, then going on to talk about how wonderful our relationship is, and finally finally coming up with the reason why I'm inviting you for a drink.

"So troublesome? If I don't have good writing skills, I can't even treat everyone to a meal?" Fabian widened his eyes.

Xiao Peng nodded. "In ancient times, there were ghostwriters who sold calligraphy on the streets to write invitations like this. And it was even more complicated when dining. There were rules about seating arrangement, the order of serving dishes, the placement of wine jugs and plates, and even the direction of faces when speaking. And there were also requirements for guests, from how they dressed to the placement of bones during meals. Without exaggerating, we Chinese people are even more particular about etiquette. It's just that we've now 'discarded the dross and retained the essence.' We've tossed aside all the unnecessary details. It's not like you guys, who always use a knife and fork with the tines pointing upwards for everything at a dinner party. Eating just a pea would be exhausting! What's the point of keeping all this crap? That's not called upholding tradition, that's called being stupid and rigid... That's not right!"

"What's wrong?" Fabian asked in confusion.

Xiao Peng looked at Walter: "You said Friedrich is an honest official? Then how did he get a plane to pick us up?"