Manners=Tools for Life!

It takes 12 to 15 seconds to make a good (or poor) first impression.  The majority of kids that come to a Manners Boot Camp (or other venue) are a wee bit hesitant.  Some cling to their parents, others find a chair and hunker down (aka poor posture) and attempt to be invisible.

...and in the middle of class a transformation can occur.  When they learn that manners help them feel comfortable in a social situation; they get it.  We role play.  Shake hands.  Practice introducing one another. 

When we have a dining tutorial they rise to the occasion.  They ask great questions too! 

Last week University of Texas-Houston Medical School held an Etiquette Dinner for some of their pre-med students. 

One such question was "What do I do with the lemon on my glass

if I don't LIKE lemon?"

 

I suggested:  1. discard it on their bread plate (if they have one) or 2. "plop" it into the glass without squeezing.  The drink won't taste lemony (since it wasn't squeezed) and yet it's out of the way.

Now, the pre-med students were NOT hesitant.  In fact, they were excited to be there; realizing the value of how to handle (everything) themselves at dinner while making an excellent impression. 

The gentlemen rose a bit from their chair when the young ladies excused themselves.  That was new to them.  And when they heard how it impresses "chicks" - I do believe it'll become one of their "tools."

That's how I look at manners - they are TOOLS FOR LIFE.  No matter where you come from, how educated you are, what job you have - IF you have good manners you automatically look more confident.
And these future docs must look confident!

We end class by shaking hands - a firm handshake, web-to-web, with good eye contact.  And again - no matter how old they are...they leave with firmer handshakes and a bit more confidence.

They've added a few tools to their tool box for life!