I received the loveliest wedding invitation to my best friend’s son’s wedding. I was flattered to receive the invitation since the guest list was quite limited due to the small size of the chapel chosen for the wedding. I enjoy weddings especially when you know a member of the wedding party well. I was unusually excited about this invitation as the wedding was being held in a place that I had not visited. It is a resort town I have always wanted to visit because of its beauty and quaintness.
Even though my friend was the mother of the groom and not in charge of the wedding, I knew the weekend affairs would be lovely because of previous parties I had attended given by my friend. This one was, however, going to be even more special. Some of the people hosting parties and attending the wedding are famous dignitaries. I knew the events would be first class and sophisticated. Often when a person receives invitations such as these, they immediately think “Do I know how to handle myself in this situation?” You know the reception will be a very formal dinner with four or five courses served. You think “Will I know which fork to use?” You also know that there will be many new people and some dignitaries who you will be meeting. You then think to yourself “Do I know how to greet someone properly and how to introduce people properly?” All sorts of etiquette questions run through your mind when you think of the type of situation you will be in at the affair.
Fortunately, I was taught etiquette at an early age growing up in my small hometown. Manners were just a way of life. I was most fortunate to have the benefit of learning manners and practicing them so that they became second nature. In most social situations throughout my life, I have felt properly prepared. After receiving my certification as an etiquette consultant, I feel even more confident of being able to handle myself in various social situations. I knew I could attend the wedding festivities and not worry about feeling uncomfortable or out of place with my manners. None of us likes to be placed in a situation where we don’t know what is proper. It embarrasses us, and this hinders our ability to shine as the wonderful people that we are.
If you feel the need to polish your manners, read an etiquette book or better yet, take an etiquette class. You will be amazed at how much you will learn, and you will find that it is not an overwhelming task to learn some new etiquette tips.
If you have had an experience where you were not prepared and would like to share it, please do. Or if you were in a situation and your manners led the way, please share this. Any comments are welcome.
Questions or comments are always appreciated.
Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell
on Feb 19th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
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on Feb 19th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
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