Our gasks and dinners
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Gask
The most common type of dinner that we have at the nation. It is characterized by a 3-course menu as well as entertainment such as speeches, choirs or spex. At gasks, the dress code is formal attire.
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Ball
Our balls (spring ball and älggask) are the nation's most formal gatherings. More than 3 courses are often served and there is always choir singing and spex. At the ball, the dress code is white tie with academic medals and orders.
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Dinner
The nation has a number of dinners that are often aimed at the nation's officials and seniors. The dress code at these events is formal.
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Sexa
Our least formal type of dinner. Usually takes place after Landskap or cleaning days. Dress code is either smart casual or informal.
Etiquette
There are at Värmland’s nation three main dress codes. These are there to guide all dinner attendees so that they feel comfortable and have it as enjoyable as possible. The gask attendees are encouraged to follow the dress codes as well as one could and to reach out to the first curator if any questions arise.
Dress codes
Men: Blazer with suit trousers/chinos in different colors, dress shirt with or without tie/bowtie. Shoes should be smart and sneakers are not encouraged. Jeans and shorts should be avoided.
Women: Dressier than everyday, which can mean a simpler dress, skirt or trousers with a more elegant top/blazer, or an overall trouser suit.
Smart casual
Men: Full suit with matching fabric and colour (dark), with or without waistcoat (which can differ in colour). Tie and bowtie are essential and the dress shirt is preferably light in colour. Well-polished dress shoes are encouraged.
Women: Knee long or longer dress. Alternatively skirt with an elegant top or a fashionable overall trouser suit. The clothing colours are chosen freely and fancier shoes are preferred.
Formal
Men: Tailcoat with matching trousers with silk stripes and suspenders. White tailcoat shirt with cufflinks and removable chest buttons. White tailcoat waistcoat with or without back. White bowtie. Black patent leather shoes or well-polished black dress shoes. White gloves are voluntary but not common. Tailcoat ribbons are worn over the chest from the upper right to the lower left. The nation’s ribbon is placed the very highest, thereafter officially awarded friend nations’ ribbons, and lowest the most informal ribbon. Pins can be worn on the lapel of the tailcoat. Orders and medals are worn on the left side of the chest. White handkerchief can be worn in the absence of medals and orders.
Women: Elegant ball gown of fancy fabric in a colour of choice that reaches the floor, or at least the ankles. The shoulders can be shown, but slits are not encouraged. The gown may have a deep neckline, and the back may be open. White or coloured gloves can be worn if the dress has short or no sleeves. Fancy heels as well as an envelope bag are favoured and the hairstyle is free of choice. Tailcoat ribbons are worn in bows with pins on the left side of the chest together with orders and medals, alternatively on a long nation ribbon that goes over the shoulder.
The dress code also includes the most formal military attire (not the everyday much simpler attires) and traditional costumes.
White tie
Generally:
The aim of the etiquette rules is to aid the social interaction. If one knows how one is expected to behave, it is easier to relax and enjoy the festivities. The rules are not for creating unecessary bother for those that do not master them fully and neither for self-appointed experts to comment on other guests behaviour. That does not fit the Värmland mentality. If you do not manage to memorise the entire chapter you will do outstandingly with some common sense and courtesy.
Time:
Start time for dinners and gasks are commonly stated with a double quarter of an hour, e.g. 18dk. That means that one has a double quarter of an hour, i. e. the half an hour after 18.00 to 18.30 to arrive, hand in any possible outer clothing, try the pre-drink and mingle. At 18:30 one should be prepared to be seated. In being on time, one lays the foundation for a successful evening!
Placement:
Where you are seated is shown with a table seating plan that usually is placed in the vicinity of the pre-drink. It is a good idea to find your seating early and perhaps even find your seating company for the night.
Table setting:
If there are multiple sets of cutleries, one starts with the outermost set. During “ärtmiddagar”, the fork is by old tradition to the right of the plate and the knife to the left. The glasses are used in the order they are placed, starting from the right-hand side. The serviette is placed in the lap as soon as one is seated.
Songs and toasting:
The song conductor leads the dinner attendees in joyous song. You are encouraged to propose your favourite song, but let the song conductor bring it up. Buy the songbook, and bring it!
The first curator is the host of the nation events and greets everyone welcome. Thereafter the toasting is free. Traditionally a table left (man) starts by toasting the table right (female), thereafter the person to the left, then the person straight across. Then one drinks. One glass of schnapps should be enough for three songs, so do not drink it all at once. After drinking, one toasts again, but in reverse order. If it is done correctly, a table left should end by toasting the table right. It is only during “O gamle klang and jubeltid” that the glasses ever touch when toasting.
Rules
Speeches and performances:
It is already decided in advance who will give speeches and when they are to take place. The same is true for possible entertainment such as performances. For the dinners to not go on for too long, more spontaneous speeches are not usually encouraged. Good courtesy is to not make any noise with the cutlery or to speak when someone holds a speech.
Leaving your seat:
It is natural that one sometimes has to leave the seat, but it is not necessary to do that all too often just to gossip, smoke or have a sneaky drink. If, when one returns, someone is holding a speech, performs or the song conductor has taken up a song, one is encouraged to patiently wait outside the hall until it has finished.
When the dinner is over:
At Värmland’s nation dinners are usually ended with the two songs “O gamla klang och jubeltid” and “Värmlandsvisan”. At other universities “O gamla klang” is associated with other variations and traditions. In Uppsala no extra “rum” are sung. During the third verse one stands up when the song reaches one’s own faculty. Philosophers in this context is everyone that are not studying law, theology or medicine. One only hits the table during “kärnan” in the fourth verse and not at any other point of the song. During the final verse one stands on the chair. Once one has stepped down it is important to not sit down again, since “Värmlandsvisan” continues right after. After “Värmlandsvisan” the guests at the honorary table leave the hall. Thereafter the people at the shorter tables starting with the table closest to the entrance.
Marshals:
During nation dinners, marshals are a common sight. They are dressed in academic white tie clothing, which entails dress code white tie, but with a black waistcoat instead of white (for men) or a black dress (for women), as well as a student cap and white gloves. They are always provided with a nation ribbon each hanging diagonally across the upper body and are therefore not mixed with the similarly dressed banner bearers. The marshals’ function is to keep good order during the dinner keep guests from missing speeches, songs or other entertainment. If a marshal asks you to sit down again it is a big chance it is because the staff are on their way to serve you food or drink, or because entertainment is on the way.