Teach Your Children Well....

A few months ago my 12-year-old son convinced me, once again, that we should eat dinner at one of those "all you can eat buffet places." 

Naturally, kids loves these places. It's a carnival of pizzas, mac and cheese, ice cream, brownies, cookies, pies and more fried items than a Southern truck stop on a country road.

Yes, there are vegetables and meat choices, but the competition is tough when the child is exposed to so many other more exciting, albeit less digestible, choices. 

Of course, I acquiesced, as mothers do - all in the name of that precious little smile and joyful sound of, "Thanks, Mom," that we long to hear before the ringing anthem of "Why not," "That's not fair," and, "You never give me anything I want," replaces the sweeter years of communication.

So, here we are in trough capital, herding through the stations for our selections finally finding our way to our booth... where we will use a card to alert staff whether we are finished or not by the appropriate placement of said card during multiple trips back to the pen.

Taking our seat and beginning with the same set of standards we always use, whether casual or elegant dining - we place our napkin on our lap.

As we begin to enjoy -- and I use that term lightly, I notice in the sea of chewing faces, a very -- and I mean VERY -- large man. In fact, my son and I were both convinced he was a Sumo wrestler.

He is with his family of about six or seven, and he literally takes his fork and commences to stab a slab of prime rib -- I'm serious,  the entire large piece of meat --then raise what was easily a half pound or more cut of beef,  to his mouth and begin to chew off of the edges.

I can't describe to you the look on my face but I did notice the fear on my son's.  He was sure I would say something that could be overheard.  But those comments are reserved for teaching my own child and for paying students.  Let's face it,  it is bad etiquette to point out bad etiquette! 

However, it is truly never too early to begin teaching your own children proper dining etiquette.  It will serve them well as they rapidly grow before your eyes and head off to their first college or employment interview.  Heaven forbid it is over breakfast, lunch or dinner, as many are, unless you've not done your job first. Not only is their dining dexterity and knowledge going to be on display, but their social skills will be quietly scrutinized as well. How they shake hands, when they begin eating, what they order, how they eat it, topics of discussion and much more, are all necessary and important tools in a civil society.

We should strive for these acts of civility, not just to get a job, but to foster a more pleasant experience amongst each other. Whether in a public restaurant or just hanging at a family celebration, using good table manners, having polite conversation and respecting others allows everyone to enjoy their time wherever they may be.

Private Dining Etiquette

CONGRATULATIONS JACK!!  Great time at the Del Mar Brigantine with my student for a 2 hour private dining etiquette course.

Sorority-Alpha Xi Delta Etiquette Luncheon

Fabulous group of beautiful and professional young ladies enjoyed a four course dining etiquette luncheon at The Lake San Marcos Resort on Sunday, November 13th, 2011.  See all the photos on our Facebook page Photos at:http://www.facebook.com/magnoliaetiquette

Girl Scout Troop # 1213

What an awesome and  beautiful day we had for the presentation of Social and Dining Etiquette basics to Girl Scout Troop # 1213.  Scout Co-Leader Melissa Ramsay was a big  help for our event at Villa La Rocca.  She helped with the serving of our pretend "filet mignon" (a Danish pastry in reality), took photographs, and assisted the girls with their Thank You note exercise.  Thank you so very much Ms. Ramsay and congratulations to all the girls!!  See all the photos on our Facebook page Photos at:  www.facebook.com/magnoliaetiquette

Girl Scout Troop 863

It was my pleasure to present Social and Dining Etiquette basics to the young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 863 on November 2, 2011.  They were such an attentive group and really enjoyed practicing their skills.  Congratulations to the "super troopers".  I'm very proud of you. ~ Ms. Flanagan

Children's Etiquette - October 2011

I've had such a wonderful time with this group of darling children.  This Sunday, they will celebrate at the wonderful Francesca's Italian Kitchen for the Graduation Dinner.  Look for follow-up pictures of our Halloween Tablescape for this event.

This was "Patriotic Tablescape Day".  The children really enjoy a different tablescape each class and we talk about it to engage them in cultural conversation.  The dining lesson focused on dessert, utilizing the dessert fork and dessert spoon.

At this lesson, the kids REALLY had a fun time donning our Mardi Gras masks and discussing the famous New Orleans holiday.  Students practiced their utensil skills today with the serving of a salad and grilled pork roast.

The children enjoy the "soup lesson" on our "Beachcombers Tablescape Day".

On our "Safari Tablescape Day", the students practice holding their stemware by the "bowl" of the glass to avoid accidents at the table.  Adults get a different lesson in this technique.

I Love To Sing!

I've been singing live since I was 17 years old.  After 35+ years, I finally went into a studio and made this CD. Bittersweetly, I finished it and was able to give it to my Dad before he passed two months later.  He loved to hear me sing and that meant a lot to me.

I know, this has little to do with etiquette, but it's a glimpse into my personal life and other joys besides teaching civility, manners, and all things elegant!

So, if you want to check it out, just click on the link below.  Hope you enjoy!

Jonnie Fox CD

China Syndrome

Wow....went to my local Salvation Army store just to see what's new in tea cups/saucers/pots expecting to see a few things and the store was moving their location so EVERYTHING IN THE STORE WAS $1.00.  AND...not only that, if it was a SET of anything (2 or more), it was STILL $1.00.  You guessed it...a set of china with 45 pieces was a $1.00.  I was there at 9am, no advertising, no one knew about it until you got there and if two lovely samoan women hadn't arrived 30 minutes before I did, I would have REALLY SCORED.  They filled four grocery carts with thousands of pieces of china....but....fortunately, they didn't grab these so look what I got for $20 yesterday!  Now....where to put it, where to put it.....

July 2011Teen Etiquette Seminar

Our recent Teen Etiquette Seminar in July was open to teens ages 13-18 and was a great success.  Held at Villa La Rocca, our private residence, eight teenagers learned Social and Dining Etiquette along with Job Interviewing Skills.  

The kitchen island was filled with "teen friendly" and healthy choice foods that included fruit, cheese and crackers , 3-tiered plating of assorted cookies, basket of individual chip bags, granola bars, fresh veggie tray with dip, assorted beverages and water.  

 Bowls of nuts and candies were on the training table and the kids enjoyed the freedom to snack throughout the seminar while respecting the time constraints of covering so much material. 

Above, students take their Preview Quiz at the beginning of class.  Below, they practiced public speaking by drawing a phrase ticket from a bowl and presenting a "one minute speech" to their classmates.

Below, students show their dining skills.

A super fabulous congratulations to all eight well-mannered teens!

Our next Teen Etiquette Seminar will be held over a two-day weekend period with Ages 11-13 on Saturday, September 24th and Ages 14-18 on Sunday, September 25th.  

For this particular seminar, the students will enjoy a Four Course Dinner once the "training table" has been quickly converted to the "dinner table" with the help of my two high school assistants.  They will be serving, removing and cleaning while we work through the dinner/tutorial.

"Beach Day" Fun

This is a "mock up" of one of the Tablescapes I use to teach my students.  On the real lesson day, I use fresh flowers and have the stemware out.  I'll have to capture a new photo next time we have "Beach  Day".  This is the day the students learn about the "Spoon".  They are served soup for one course and parfait for another and learn how to properly hold and use the soup spoon, and how to properly secure the parfait glass while eating.