Etiquette Lessons?

crazyleggedsigma · #1 11-06-2001, 05:20 PM

If you read my woohoo post, you know that I am my chapter's new Education Director. My main purpose is to ensure that my sisters are fulfilling their academic potential, and that steps are taken to help them if they need it. Also, I give 'education projects' at meeting from time to time. One thing I think we really need help with is etiquette/manners. We are not a Southern chapter, and many of our ladies are from the bootheel and may have not had exposure to formal training in this area. (I have an interest in social customs, so I read Emily Post for entertainment, but I realize that everyone else may not share my hobby.) Has anyone out there had etiquette lessons in their chapter (aside from the fraternity new member "open doors and stand up for ladies" type of thing)? How did it go over? Did you see any lasting results? Were you just preaching to the choir, or did the people who would really benefit attend as well?

(Moderators, just say the word and I'll start this again in another forum-I didn't know quite how to file this one!

)

CC

ZTAngel · #2 11-06-2001, 05:25 PM

I personally have never done it as a chapter but I think that it is a great idea! My mother had actually sent me to charm school back when I was in middle school (I'm from the South if that explains anything).

I hated it at the time but now, when I go for interviews or out for dinner with the boyfriend's parents, I always know the right questions to ask or even what fork is used for the salad. It's a great thing to learn!

AlphaChiGirl · #3 11-06-2001, 05:32 PM

This is an awesome idea! I'm actually considering teaching a course to middle schoolers on etiquette and carriage. Like you, I'm a total manners nut (I'm from the South

) and I scare all of my New England friends with my posture, table manners, proper stationery, etc. Of course, you don't have to go hardcore, but I think it's a GREAT idea. Also great for personal development. I think there are a lot of people who didn't learn this stuff coming up (for whatever reason) but want to learn, and you probably won't just be "preaching to the choir".

Let us know how this turns out!

AKAtude · #4 11-06-2001, 05:39 PM

I think it's a great idea as well. I had etiquette lessons when I became a debutante. By the way, you aren't the only one that reads Emily Post for entertainment.

GmuTeke · #5 11-06-2001, 05:39 PM

picture this, you're at a hypothetical function and lets call it "sigma formal"

You're seated down, you and your date in beautiful formal attire, and you see all the silverware in front of you. Now for all your prior semesters, you've taken silverware from a giant trough in the cafeteria, and you look down and see 2 forks, 3 spoons, and glasses everywhere, to the unititated, doubt and fear would paralyze you at this point...

BUT NO! you had etiquette lessons when you were a new member! you know the right way to eat and impress the non affiliated members with your poise and knowledge of culture.

definitely do a course on etiquette. your chapter will thank you for it.

PenguinTrax · #6 11-06-2001, 05:57 PM

Etiquette - absolutely. Especially before a formal or semi formal. Many places and organizations (Jr. League, Jack & Jill, etc.) hold etiquette courses for their young members. You can ask them for contacts and see if someone will donate time to the event. Also, don't forget to talk to your alumnae - if anyone is a wedding planner or similar they will have experience to share.

ladybug1116 · #7 11-06-2001, 06:23 PM

My chapter had ettiquette "lessons" a long time ago. However, they haven't done it for the past couple of years. I think it would be great thing to do for every pledge class though. We even have a cabinet position called "ettiquette chair." If utilized correctly, it can be a nice thing to have. Sometimes everyone needs a few basic reminders!

XO_Princess · #8 11-06-2001, 06:43 PM

What a great idea! I didn't do etiquette lessons in my chapter, but when I was in grade school, my mom sent me to "charm school", and I had to do cotillions and stuff (yes, I'm from the South, too

)-I didn't like it at the time, but now I'm glad I did it. Sometimes, when we're out at nice places, my boyfriend asks me, is this right? Or, what do I do here? And it's fun to be able to tell him.

Wine&Blue · #9 11-06-2001, 07:03 PM

Yes, yes, yes!!!! I think it is a wonderful idea. I did etiquette lessons as a child and so much of it has stayed with me. It really helps in ANY social situation - even job interviews. I think doing it as a chapter is a great thing.

(Excuse my enthusiasm, but I'm planning my wedding right now and if there ever was an etiquette hell, it's a wedding. You'd be surprised what some people don't know.)

mmcat · #10 11-06-2001, 07:14 PM

You cannot know too much. Doing things correctly is the difference between having power and none. It's amazing the difference little things make.
mmcat

AKA2D '91 · #11 11-06-2001, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKAtude
I think it's a great idea as well. I had etiquette lessons when I became a debutante. By the way, you aren't the only one that reads Emily Post for entertainment.

We had etiquette lessons when we came through...

MooseGirl · #12 11-06-2001, 07:17 PM

My GLO started etiquette lessons at our conclave 2 years ago...At first I was not impressed because Lunch took us 3 hours to eat and the woman teaching it was a bit snobbish (one comment that I and many others disagreed with was that one is not supposed to acknowledge or thank the servers at a banquet)

But overall it is helpful, so now once a year(usually founder's day) the division goes through etiquette lessons (but much quicker). Each chapter was also provided with enough booklets for each sister that describe situations and show diagrams of silverware.

So, if your sisters need it, go ahead and teach it...it is always nice to be able to go out for a nice dinner and know you are not making a fool of yourself.

tridgirl · #13 11-06-2001, 09:55 PM

Just make sure its relavent information we had a manners talk one time before fomal and it was random information that we didn't need to know for a formal at a country club. I understand we can used it in the future, but try to make it entertaining or you might just be putting people to sleep. Especially if people had manners a young adults.

AOIIBrandi · #14 11-06-2001, 09:59 PM

I had a speaker come and do a keynote address on etiquette to my chapter when I was Membership Ed. It went over very well.

The lady who spoke was a teacher, and taught a 1 credit hour course on etiquette which I was taking as an elective that semester. (I went to school in the South...)

If your school has a restaurant and hotel management degree, or something like it, I would start there. They probably have a teacher who would be happy to speak with your chapter.

BTW, if you like Emily Post you may want to try Letetia Baldridge's guide to Executive Etiquette. It talks all about etiquette in the business environment. Definitely good reading for any graduating senior

The1calledTKE · #15 11-06-2001, 10:14 PM

I think etiquette is a good idea. 6 years ago when I was still in school and a pledge; my pledge manuel had a chapter on etiquette. Its always impressive to know what to do in a formal situation. The things you learn can help you later in life and will alwaysbe a benifit. To bad they stoped putting it in the pledge manuels after I became a brother.