doi: 10.29366/2018tlc.2.1.

Review

Diplomatic protocol: Etiquette, statecraft and

trust
by Rosalie Rivett
Whittles Publishing Ltd 2018
Reviewed by Barry Tomalin

The training of diplomats and the use of in a manner which enhances the standing of their
diplomatic language and protocol are specialist, countries among host nations’. Language,
but vital skills. Why? Because diplomats are therefore, is crucial to diplomatic success and the
representatives of their countries around the world word protocol itself is derived from ancient Greek
and are the keys to successful negotiation of protokollon meaning ‘first glue’. Diplomatic
agreements and defusing political tensions at the Protocol is a manual aimed at young diplomats in
highest levels. As Rosalie Rivett, author, teacher training and in simple language explains how
and Chief Executive of the Women in Diplomacy protocol works. The 13 chapters, each with a
organisation in London says, ‘Protocol is the bullet point summary of key points at the end,
etiquette of diplomacy. It does so by following examine the roles of diplomats in overseas
certain rules of behaviour. Protocol indicates an missions. A considerable advantage of the book is
acceptable standard in diplomatic discourse, that it contains many examples, some even as
dialogue and negotiation.’ recent as 2017. For students of diplomatic
language and culture the key chapters are those on
Language and the way it is used in diplomatic Modern Diplomacy, Internet Diplomacy and
documents is an essential part of protocol. As Media Communications, and Crisis Management.
Rivett explains in the introduction, diplomacy is ‘a
highly nuanced role played out in language – the The author makes the key point that the
diplomatic lexicon – which is carefully chosen and information age and the use of ICT (Information

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and Communications Technology) have can’t answer, explain why (legal constraints,
increasingly robbed diplomats of a key asset in family, etc.) and above all, advises Cole, never say
communicating information, that of time. Rivett ‘No comment’.
explains:
In an interesting and rather amusing illustration of
The world has become so small, thanks to instant how media can influence diplomatic etiquette,
communications and even faster forms of travel, Rivett describes how the body language of the
that an event on one side of the world can spark diplomatic handshake for the TV cameras can
an immediate reaction on the other, and all of it itself be a power play: ‘You may notice some
instantly recorded and shared online. There is no people jockeying for position prior to a
longer time to pause and ponder while a letter or photograph being taken of them shaking hands;
telegram wends its way from an embassy to the this is because they know that the person whose
home nation. Reaction has to be almost hand is closer to the camera and thus more visible
instantaneous, appropriate and at the very least will be perceived as dominant over the one whose
designed not to exacerbate what might be an hand is concealed.’
already volatile situation. It has to be diplomatic
and governed by established protocol – the rules Rivett points out that diplomatic language is a
of diplomatic exchange and last but not least, it formal and specific use of language. It is not the
has to be media friendly.’ same as polite business language. ‘Even in our
modern world the very language of diplomacy is
As Michael Cole, PR advisor and former BBC more formalised than general conversation or
Royal Correspondent notes in the book, how a written exchanges.’ Even in protests or criticism of
diplomat reacts to a crisis is key to how it will be another state’s attitudes or actions, she explains
reported and as a result how the diplomat, the that however harsh or critical the message, ‘it is
mission and the country he/she represents will be traditionally understood that the ambassador is
perceived. merely conveying the wishes, comments, even
criticisms of his/her home state ... whatever
The important thing is to take control of the crisis, language or tone is used, the aim is always to keep
talk to the relevant people, be available for the channels of communication open.’
interviews and answering questions, keeping it
simple (avoid jargon), listen, apologise if you get This is why it is important to maintain the protocol
things wrong (everyone makes mistakes), if you of third person singular or plural in Notes or Notes

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 Diplomatic protocol: Etiquette, statecraft and trust
by Rosalie Rivett Reviewed by Barry Tomalin

Verbales, as they are called in the UN, and use all other Heads of State did. Was this a snub by the
standard phrases, such as ‘has the honour to’, Chinese or simply due to the fact that President
‘avails himself/herself of the opportunity to’ and Obama descended the steps of the presidential
‘expresses concern regarding’. Letters between plane directly and didn’t wait for the red carpeted
Heads of State may be more personal, using ‘I’ and steps provided by the Chinese authorities? Rivett
‘we’, but will still be more formal in general style. notes that etiquette sets the tone for all linguistic
The increasingly informal style of business and cultural negotiations. What is said and done
correspondence is not the trend in diplomatic and what is unsaid are equally important, and the
correspondence. ‘Dear Ambassador Smith or Dear use of constructive ambiguity is an important
Bill are not acceptable as diplomatic greetings, linguistic and cultural skill in diplomatic
although you can get away with the equivalents in communication. English, Rivett believes, is full of
business correspondence where formality in some ambiguity, an average of six synonyms for every
environments may be seen as a disadvantage.’ word. In Arabic, family terms are very important.
English has only one word for ‘cousin’, but Arabic
There is greater convergence between business has eight words to denote first cousins and sixteen
and diplomacy in the area of recognising and for second cousins, distinguishing who is being
adapting to cultural sensitivities. In November referred to and the degree of kinship.
2010, British Prime Minister, David Cameron,
turned up for an official visit to China wearing a The last 20 years have seen major changes in how
red poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day we communicate through the emergence of the
which honours military personnel who died in Internet and social media. Does this mean that
World Wars I and II. The Chinese objected. For language and cultural protocol in the Diplomatic
them the red poppy was a reminder of the opium Service and international organisations like the
wars of the late 19th century. The Chinese asked UN are out of date? Part of the diplomat’s job, says
David Cameron to remove the poppy. Cameron’s Rivett, is to ‘evaluate and interpret information and
advisers refused. Note to protocol officer, ‘Don’t advise the home nation on what is important and
send senior British politicians to China during what is mere rumour and speculation’. The Internet
Remembrance Week’. and social media have dramatically increased the
amount of information to be processed. In
On a visit to the G20 meeting in Hanzhou in addition, cyberpolitik and cyber warfare has added
China in 2016, President Obama had no red a new dimension to political and diplomatic
carpet laid out for him when he arrived whereas security and mediapolitik is the new reality. Rivett

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quotes former US Secretary of State, Madeleine summary of references (currently footnotes) and
Albright, who asserted that CNN international further reading suggestions at the end. However,
news and current affairs TV station had become the question remains that in order to connect with
the de facto 16th member of the UN Security a media savvy generation does diplomatic
Council, influencing views worldwide. How long language and culture need to change? Many
before Facebook applies for admission? would argue that it must. Rivett is more cautious.
‘The purpose of diplomats is dialogue, keeping
All in all, this is a useful, straightforward and lines of communication open, and understanding
reasonably concise primer for young diplomats the protocols, traditions and the history and
and future members of international organisations culture of the countries and faith groups they deal
with insights into and examples of both good and with.’ In doing so, the observance of a commonly
questionable observations of protocol. A future recognised language and cultural protocol is
edition would benefit from an index and also a essential to civilised discourse.

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