I'm a Northerner with manners...
 

I went to private school in New York, and it was part of our education to become well rounded people. We had an annual trip to a French restaurant for lunch so our French teacher gave us a brief but thorough ettiquette lesson. Her parting words were, "Don't do anything to embarrass me or our school!"
When I arrived at college, I couldn't believe how many people hadn't received similar lessons. It was true what my teacher had said," You don't notice manners until they are lacking."

Etiquette Lesson Ideas
 

I think it's wonderful you are having etiquette lessons. When I was an undergrad, we had an etiquette social with Kappa Sigma. Our house mothers hosted the event. The Kap Sig mom actually had taught classes on etiquette in the past. It was kind of like going to dinner with a lesson. It was a lot of fun and well-received.

Another idea is to get a local 5-star restaurant or caterer involved. You could have a social with another chapter. The restaurant or caterer might conduct the seminar including dinner as a trade for giving the restaurant/caterer business for other socials or formal.

Good luck!

Greek Dinners
 

Our chapter VP Social initiated our first ever foray into etiquette. She organized a dinner with one of the fraternity's pledge classes and our new members.

Everyone had a great meal AND learned the finer points of dining. The dinner was cooked by collegians from both chapters so it was really special for the new members.

I agree with everyone so far. Although in this day and age etiquette seems to be overlooked, it is an essential skill. My parents always took us out to formal restaurants from the time we were able to sit properly at the table. We were brought up knowing how to conduct ourselves at the table and I'm still amazed at how many of my friends don't know what side your bread plate is on.

I'd love to see a return to "old-fashioned" graces. *sigh*

I wasn't saying anyone had a stick up their a$$, I was just merley mentioning how different life is in some places. I did not intend to be rude.

Ah sorry if it sounded like I was offended or anything.. definitely not actually. I definitely agree with you though. I've done a bit of travelling around the US and can see HUGE differences in different areas.

LHT
Kevin

What does that mean? What are the HUGE differences in different areas? :confused:

Well.. I am from California.. and although I personlly know what forks and such to use at a dinner... and can safely say that MOST californians are generally polite... (we say please and thank you.) A lot of the more FORMAL manners such as calling your friends' parents "Mr. and Mrs" when you're younger .. and guys taking off their hats inside... is not generally done I think it would be a very cool thing to have ettiquite lessons at our meetings.. especially those dealing with business/interview ettiquite. If anyone out there knows someone in Cali or can suggest a good book to pick up weekly tips I would be appreciative. :D

Cream, as far as the huge differences... Two of the brothers I was with in one case came from eastern Oklahoma. This is a "small town" type environment but not too long ago it boasted the highest murder rate per capita in the US. When you're driving out there you hear dueling banjos playing in the back of your mind... Not only to the guys I know from there have no clue about ettiquette, they automatically don't trust anything that's not laid back.. Nothing against them personally that's just the way they grew up.

We road tripped up to Lexington, Virginia last summer for the Sigma Nu College of chapters. One of our guys as soon as we crossed the border basically decided he really didn't like Virginians.. too formal =)

The west coast as far as formality levels go is a direct opposite of the south.. And of course the northeast is kind of in between.. there are areas that are like that your major urban areas are more like Cali at heart.

I of course can't speak for EVERYONE out there because every individual has their own ideas of what is polite, etc.. It just seems like there's a different 'feel' to different parts of the US.

(and of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong)

LHT
Kevin
MT5
University of Central Oklahoma

Etiquette differences
 

I don't think it matters where you are from - either you are brought up right or you are not.

I'm from KC and there are people here with great manners and class, and there are people without. I know people from the east coast, the west coast, the south, the north and Canada -- class, manners and thoughfulness as well as the opposite all exist.

Etiquette is about understanding the situation you are in and being able to make the best choices for your actions.

kcjayhawk1- First let me say KC is one of my all time fave places-there are a lot of Ks/Mo people on GC!!!

Start with your basic ettiquette, throw in a little charm, add a dash of the old Southern accent...KILLER combination!

Some posts back, reference was made to lessons for formal dinner interview. This is soooo important. Sometimes, it isn't the applicant that is being interviewed...it's the spouse. How will this COUPLE fit into the corporate world.

Thanks justamom!

I love KC - a very under rated town!

You're so right. You just never know.

OK. It's funny because I've had people say straight to my face that they think that New Yorkers are rude. The funny thing is they don't realize that I am a New Yorker and that they are being rude and insulting to me. On the rare occassions when I do encounter a rude New Yorker, they are usually from somewhere else. ;)
Dueling banjos. lol!

JWOW, HEHE, Secret between us!

KC hell yes!:) MO HAWK 1 sent PM!

Trying to figure out a Hawk in MU Land?:confused:

Damn we need to get a Gathering in KC for GC and other not in town GCers!

JAM, fast update, Last Vampire test showed 218 instead of 657! Go Figure!:D

Back to fried foods, ice cream and Grape Juice!http://www.plauder-smilies.de/lach.gif

Damn, we need a road trip to KC! Beer And BBQ!
Da Best! Catered by Gates!

:)

Ettiquet, Learn now so wont step on Boobies and Weenies when get out in the real world!

First time I was in A French Resturant in New York, I said what the hell are all of these forks and spoons for!

In Europe, I learned to eat with both hands! Food Sucked= Yogurt on my post toasties and Pork and Beans on Fried eggs! NOT!!!!!!!

Wow Nellie, sorry, I love my Lobster tails and Shrimp! Gawd I love finger food!

Well maybe Tacos, Tostadas, Refers, BURITOS! ALSO!:cool:

Well, grad school calls....needless to say my parents are disappointed about my Jayhawk to Tiger conversion. Both great towns, though.

We do need a GC gathering in KC. We should start a Happy Hour gathering. Like at the 'Falloon or Charlie Hoopers.

I like your etiquette advice. Just a few weeks ago, I had to explain to a Coordinator that it isn't appropriate to get drunk in front of your clients...unless of course you're a stripper or a bartender at the Peanut.


**Just when you think you're not in Kansas anymore......

Re: Etiquette differences
 

I wasn't speaking on whether people were brought up right or not; my parents taught me manners and I consider myself to be incredibly polite and I DO know what fork to eat with and so on.

What I was talking about was brought about when people said they went to charm school or were debutantes....etc. Where I am from people have no less manners but we don't have these things. It would be culture shock for me if I were thrown into this environment. I am so far removed from that type of life that it is like something from a storybook or something. I guess my small school is more laid back because my sisters would honestly laugh at me if I told them we should be taking ettiqette lessons. It just isn't a priority over getting a degree and we have enough to do already. Sororities where I am are VERY different than in the south. THere is less formality and the "southern sorority girl" doesn't really exist here. I mean no disrespect in saying this; I would love to experience that once in my life. I just know from reading other threads about how Rush differs from north to south, etc. that there are major differences. I'm not about to disrespect this other way of life, I like to learn about it. There's nothing wrong with being different.:)