In the world of diplomacy and business at the highest level, handing over the right present is a minefield. Every gesture is subject to rigorous judgment, and a mistake in choosing a gift can amount to a breach of tact. Looking for a present that will proudly represent European heritage and craft while keeping cultural neutrality, one has to depart categorically from the well-worn patterns. Concentrating on the values written into quiet luxury is the key to success.
The minefield of diplomatic protocol
Analyzing traditional catalogs of luxury gifts, the risk arising from cultural differences is easy to see. Alcohol may be a wholly inappropriate present for a Muslim recipient, and in some states – such as Saudi Arabia – possessing and importing it is strictly prohibited. In Chinese culture, in turn, clocks and watches, though in Europe they pass for symbols of prestige, may be received as a gift bringing bad luck, because of their traditional associations with passing and death.
Resting a relational strategy on superficial choices is a mistake. Real luxury in diplomacy consists in eliminating the risk of offending a guest while making a strong, positive impression. One should offer an object that reads the same on both sides of the table – whatever cultural circle the recipient comes from.
A universal ambassador of craft
Understanding the rigorous guidelines produced the ideal protocol solution – the luxury brand Odoardo Alibi™. Its central element is a box of solid oak. In most cultural circles wood symbolizes endurance and carries no undertones that would have to be explained.
The real diplomatic value, however, lies inside. The set supplies 50 deep questions for your partner, so the box is not merely a keepsake – it is fit for use during a meeting in a smaller circle. We describe the question of personalization with a crest in the piece Protocol and diplomatic gifts.
The tool is visually neutral, resting on the Geometric Noir current. The gilded lines and circles are free of depictions of figures that might breach guests' norms. Such an abstract form makes clear the meaning of silence and image in communication, strengthening empathy and stimulating active listening in a relationship.
The coherence of a luxury experience
A gift handed over at the close of an international summit should crown the stay. A host's class shows in consistently keeping to the standard of quiet luxury. For a solid oak box to be the perfect crowning of a visit, it is worth displaying art in private VIP rooms. Curated collectible prints in oak frames from Odoardo Art™ will create a calming architectural background, a good basis for a digital detox before sleep. An institution's digital layer, in turn, is put in order by Odoardo Space™ addresses, described in the piece Global name diplomacy. By handing over an Odoardo Alibi™ set, you close a visit with an object from the same aesthetic order as its setting.
Why we hold neutrality to be an expression of respect rather than of caution, we explain in the manifesto.
Odoardo Soul™
Odoardo Art™
Odoardo Lens™
Odoardo Space™
