Thread: Formal Dinner invitation - HELP

I am not entirely sure how to word this or really what to do. I wanted to do something different, fun and out of the norm of what we usually do.

As a gift to my friend for his birthday, I decided to invite him to dinner. I did this verbally and while I know it is OK. I would rather make it a bit more nice or formal. SO....how would I do that?

Like how would I word the invitation in russian?

Here is my idea and you can tell me if it is ok.

В честь вашего дня рождения,
Tы сердечно приглашены на обед в
пятницу, 27 марта 2009.
Ресторан имеет ваш выбор.

or

Просит удовольствие вашей компании
на обед в честь вашего дня
рождения в пятницу, 27 марта 2009

How is this?

Also, is there any particular artwork that might be used in such an invitation?

Lastly, as a man being invited by a woman ... what would you like or not like?

Any and all advice much appreciated.

Thank you!

"Ресторан имеет ваш выбор" doesn't make sense in Russian. Did you mean that he gets to choose the restaurant? If so, you can write something like

В честь твоего дня рожения
я приглашаю тебя на обед
в пятницу, 27 марта 2009.
Ресторан - на твой выбор!

Frankly, I would be embarassed if a lady invited me to dinner in a restaurant and offered to pay for my dinner... Especially on my birthday. But since you've already done it verbally, he probably understands your intentions, so it must be okay.

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

"Ресторан имеет ваш выбор" doesn't make sense in Russian. Did you mean that he gets to choose the restaurant? If so, you can write something like

В честь твоего дня рожения
я приглашаю тебя на обед
в пятницу, 27 марта 2009.
Ресторан - на твой выбор!

Frankly, I would be embarassed if a lady invited me to dinner in a restaurant and offered to pay for my dinner... Especially on my birthday. But since you've already done it verbally, he probably understands your intentions, so it must be okay.

Yes he gets to choose the restaurant.

Really it would be offensive for a woman to offer and pay as a gift? Hm ... I must ponder this.

He seemed to be happy about it. But then again ...I am still getting to know him.

рожения <--- what is this? It is not translating for me?!

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Yes he gets to choose the restaurant.

Really it would be offensive for a woman to offer and pay as a gift? Hm ... I must ponder this.

Offensive, no. Embarrassing - for many men, yes /

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

He seemed to be happy about it.

Then it must be ok!

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

рожения <--- what is this? It is not translating for me?!

A typo
It should have been "рождения"!
Local typo gremlins are completely out of hand!

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

He seemed to be happy about it. But then again ...I am still getting to know him.

I wouldn't worry if I were you. You told your friend about your plans in advance, and he was happy about it. I think he would hinted at least if he were not entirely comfortable with that idea. Probably he thinks like an American now (or tries to).

Most Russian men would be rather uncomfortable about this situation. There's sort of a rule: "man should pay for a lady in a restaurant, or he's not a man". Even splitting the bill is not very common (bit it happens, of course). And only absolutely money-less or immoral individuals are supposed to let women pay for them.

You know .... I think the more I get to know russian men in general the more I really want one of my own! Sigh ...........

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

Local typo gremlins are completely out of hand!

dang them buggers!

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

I wouldn't worry if I were you. You told your friend about your plans in advance, and he was happy about it. I think he would hinted at least if he were not entirely comfortable with that idea. Probably he thinks like an American now (or tries to).

Well he has been here approximately 10 years now. So maybe he thinks a bit differently. I would not say so much though. It is something about his demeanor and his words. Hm ....???

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Most Russian men would be rather uncomfortable about this situation. There's sort of a rule: "man should pay for a lady in a restaurant, or he's not a man". Even splitting the bill is not very common (bit it happens, of course). And only absolutely money-less or immoral individuals are supposed to let women pay for them.

hahaa ....

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Most Russian men would be rather uncomfortable about this situation. There's sort of a rule: "man should pay for a lady in a restaurant, or he's not a man". Even splitting the bill is not very common (bit it happens, of course). And only absolutely money-less or immoral individuals are supposed to let women pay for them.

hahaa ....

If a woman made me such a gift and I'd accepted it, all my friends call me gigolo for sure! Sorry, emeraldeyez, I meant no offence, but it's just the way how we look at these things here, at Russia.

Technically, the way the invitation is written doesn't necessarily imply that the inviting person is paying for both. Even though I have lived in the West almost half of my life, I would still not allow a lady to pay for me, no way. Depending on what our relationship is, I could let her pay for herself, since I've been in situations where the lady didn't feel comfortable with me paying for her either, and I wouldn't want that.

You can however bring him a small birthday gift, it's perfectly acceptable.

Originally Posted by Basil77

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Most Russian men would be rather uncomfortable about this situation. There's sort of a rule: "man should pay for a lady in a restaurant, or he's not a man". Even splitting the bill is not very common (bit it happens, of course). And only absolutely money-less or immoral individuals are supposed to let women pay for them.

hahaa ....

If a woman made me such a gift and I'd accepted it, all my friends call me gigolo for sure! Sorry, emeraldeyez, I meant no offence, but it's just the way how we look at these things here, at Russia.

mmmmmmm .....I understand. I find it a shame though. Because it IS a gift after all. And no offense taken. Really.

Originally Posted by Pcloadletter

Technically, the way the invitation is written doesn't necessarily imply that the inviting person is paying for both. Even though I have lived in the West almost half of my life, I would still not allow a lady to pay for me, no way. Depending on what our relationship is, I could let her pay for herself, since I've been in situations where the lady didn't feel comfortable with me paying for her either, and I wouldn't want that.

You can however bring him a small birthday gift, it's perfectly acceptable.

Again I understand.

I think it is incredible that the men would want to pay.

I wish that here in America there was still Chivalry where women LIKED being women and men treated women like they were women. SIGH .....

You see I am totally NOT a feminist and really miss things like .... men opening doors for women, things like that.

So again ....I think I need to find my own russian guy to have. LOL

ANYWAY ... I did ask my friend if he minded or felt it would be embarrassing for him to let me pay.
He said he is fine with it. He realizes it is a gift. He said if it was any other time he would not allow it.
PLUS ...he stated it is not like any of his friends would know ... so .....

Off to dinner we go.

Кстати говоря, dinner - это обед или ужин?

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

PLUS ...he stated it is not like any of his friends would know ... so .....

Aw, guilty pleasures..

Have a great time, emeraldeyez!

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

PLUS ...he stated it is not like any of his friends would know ... so .....

Aw, guilty pleasures..

Have a great time, emeraldeyez!

We went Monday night. It was a great time. Just talked and ate. No more, no less. LOL

Thanks for the good wishes gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by Cocos

Кстати говоря, dinner - это обед или ужин?

Каково различие?

If to say about Russian tradition, a host provides food and drinks, guests bring their gifts. A party can take place at home, at a restaurant or even at a picnic (why not), the sex does not matter.

Originally Posted by Cocos

Кстати говоря, dinner - это обед или ужин?

"dinner" is by definition the main meal of the day, so depending on social habits of a person you talk to it could be either обед or ужин. In the States it usually happens in the evening, after work, so ужин.

Originally Posted by emeraldeyez

I think it is incredible that the men would want to pay.

I wish that here in America there was still Chivalry where women LIKED being women and men treated women like they were women. SIGH .....

Women did that to men. They went all the way about being 'equal'. Now they reap the fruits of it.
Still, a man should remain a man no matter how 'equal' women think they are. )))