Etiquette Classes in Central Florida

Forgotten Courtesy By Employers

Ginny Brown — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:37:52 +0000

In today’s economy, we all are lucky to have a job. What if you don’t have one and are looking for employment? There are many people who do not have a job at this time. I have read many articles about the long lines of applicants waiting to fill out applications for new jobs. Unfortunately, there are more applicants than job positions.

How does the above relate to manners and etiquette? After you have applied for a job, do you want to hear that your application was received? Do you want to know if you are being considered for the position? Do you desire to hear any comment from the employer? Yes, of course you do. Why would you go to all the trouble of applying if you weren’t serious about the job?

There have been many times that people have told me that they never heard one word from a prospective employer. Unfortunately, this has been happening even before the recent economic crisis. I understand that today there are many applicants applying for one job. What I don’t understand is the lack of response on the employer’s part. Where did common courtesy go with respect to acknowledging the applicant? Many may say that it’s too difficult to respond to all applicants. Well, I disagree. With modern technology, it’s easy to have a generic e-mail that can be sent. I personally know of people who have applied for specific jobs where the number of applicants isn’t high that never heard anything from the employer. What kind of impression is the employer giving to the applicant? I don’t believe that it is a very good one. There needs to be some acknowledgment on the employer’s part. Put yourself in their position. Would you like it if no one responded to you? I don’t think you would.

Manners and courtesy transcend all aspects of our lives. We must strive to remember this in all situations even if the situation seems a little overwhelming.

Ginny Brown

Email Ginny Brown
770-296-4159 cell

Proud To Be An American

Ginny Brown — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:09:55 +0000

As you have noted, I have been slack in writing on my blog. My apologies to those of you who read it. Since my last post, I have been out of state twice visiting with family, and I am out of state now working and vacationing. This post isn’t about etiquette. It is, however, about an important topic. This fourth of July was probably the best one I have ever experienced. I was with some family members and friends in The Villages, FL. We had so much fun being together, eating good food, listening to great music, dancing, and participating in Fourth of July events.

This was truly a patriotic 4th with golf carts decorated, people sporting red, white, and blue, bands playing patriotic songs, honor guards waving flags, etc. Whenever any patriotic song was played, I got goose bumps epecially when “Proud To Be An American” was played. It has been a long time since I have witnessed so many people showing their patriotism by standing and singing songs about our country. That was one of the things that made this so special to me.

The other thing that made this so special to me is the following story. My best friend’s son is serving in the marines in the new insurgence in southern Afghanistan. On the 4th, his company , one of 200 that had arrived in southern Afghanistan, was bogged down in a heavy fight with the Taliban. Every time one of our favorite patriotic songs was played, all I could think about was this young man who is being so brave and courageous for us. It gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. I have always been patriotic and think about all the service men and women who keep us safe. However now having someone close to my family being in harm’s way brought everything much closer to home. I wanted to stand and sing out loud when our favorite patriotic songs was played. It made me definitely feel very Proud to be an American!

After a long week of worrying and not hearing any word from this young man, I was extremely relieved to hear today that he is alive and well. His company made it through that very tough fight and right now they are fighting the heat. I offer all of our service people and their families my gratitude for their selfless acts of courage. I also pray that they will be returned home safely.

Ginny Brown

Email Ginny Brown
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

Thank You Note?

Ginny Brown — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:14:55 +0000

I enjoy reading Rhonda Rich’s column in the Sunday issue of The Gwinnett Daily Post. I think she is a very talented writer and has a great sense of humor. I have commented on her articles before in my blog. I pay special attention to her articles when they focus on manners. Sunday’s article was about thank you notes. She raised a point which caused me to do some thinking.

Basically what the article was about was the expectation of receiving a thank you note. I gathered from her article that Ms. Rich is a believer in thank you notes and practices this form of etiquette. I, too, believe in writing a thank you note and teach this in my etiquette classes. A point made in the article was to give with your heart and not have set expectations of receiving a thank you note. She pointed out that we never know what is going on in the person’s life who has received the gift which you sent. I agree with her totally. We don’t walk in other people’s shoes. As Ms. Rich said, the recipient could have a serious personal situation that they are experiencing. Life happens, and we don’t always get the thank you note written even though we have good intentions to do this.

I don’t know that I expect a note when I send a gift or do something for someone. Yes, I do like receiving them, and I try very hard to send thank you notes. However, I think we all need to remember that we don’t give with the intention of receiving the note. We don’t need to judge the person who doesn’t send us the thank you note. Having said this, I believe that it is still good manners to send a thank you note and especially under normal circumstances.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

Tips for Graduates

Ginny Brown — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:23:06 +0000

While listening to the news this morning, I heard the story about the difficulty college graduates are having obtaining a job. These are indeed hard economic times. The news clip which I was watching interviewed three recent college graduates with good credentials. All three were being told the same line “We are not hiring at this time”. How frustrating for these young people who are ready to be a part of the job force. While times are difficult, there are some things which you can do to set yourself apart from others.

Make the best first impression that you can. Dress appropriately. Check your appearance for overall neatness. Make sure your hair is combed, clothes are pressed, and shoes are polished. Check your hygiene, make sure your breath smells fresh, go easy on the cologne or perfume, and be conservative with the amount of appropriate jewelry worn.

In addition to the above, look you interviewer in the eye. When meeting your interviewer, shake their hand and shake it correctly. Don’t give a limp handshake and don’t give a bone-crushing shake. A tip to remembering his/her name is to repeat it after he/she has introduced himself/herself. Check your posture. Holding yourself tall gives an impression of confidence. Don’t dominate the conversation. Be prepared to ask questions. Before you arrive, do your homework on the employer. Research the company’s background so you can ask intelligent questions. Here again, look the person in the eye when speaking.

After the interview, write a thank you note. This shows appreciation for the interviewer’s time , shows respect, and keeps your name in front of the other applicants.

Questions or comments are always welcome.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

The Villages, Florida

Ginny Brown — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:26:37 +0000

Recently, I had the good fortune of spending time in the 55+ VERY ACTIVE community of The Villages, FL. This truly is an incredible

Lake Sumter Landing Town Square

place. The video which the marketing department sends out does not do the place justice. It is a beautifully landscaped area all accessible by golf cart. There are two town squares which have entertainment every night of the year. It’s just amazing. There are good restaurants, good shopping, movie theaters, and centers offering plays and other forms of entertainment.

The Villages also has The LifeLong Learning College. I went to an open house for its summer session. I was quite impressed. You could learn anything from Shakespeare, glass fusion, painting, to belly dancing. As you can see, the variety of classes is outstanding.

In the summer, The Villages sponsors Camp Village. This offers different classes/activities for grandparents and their grandchildren. How cool is this! The child experiences something new with their grandparents while visiting them. I believe that my etiquette classes would be a great addition to this. The classes are fun, interactive, and informative. This is a wonderful way to have your grandchildren polish their manners in a fun way. The classes would also prepare these youngsters to accompany their grandparents to any of the country club restaurants.

Comments or questions are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
Email Ginny Brown
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

Summer Etiquette Fun

Ginny Brown — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:51:22 +0000

Summer is almost here. Summer is a great time of the year. I always looked forward to summer almost as much as my children did. Schedules are more relaxed, families tend to do more, people enjoy more outside activities, and there is just a bit more cheerfulness in the air. This is a time when families can relax and move at a slower pace without all the stress of the school year. Summer is also a time to keep your children busy with fun and enriching activities. Have you thought about a manners class for your child/children that’s fun but also teaches them some new things? This is a great class to add to your child’s summer program.

Please check out the website for more on topics covered in the manners classes.

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

http://etiquette-blog.com

Casual Protocol in the White House?

Ginny Brown — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:10:38 +0000

This post is not about politics. I do not discuss politics unless it’s with family. I have read and have received articles concerning our current President and his wife. The articles which I’m referring to relate to their relaxed style of protocol. I know that etiquette in today’s society has gotten very lax compared to our parent’s generation and even my generation. However, I still believe that it is in our best interest to have and to use the best manners which we possess.

The articles which were sent to me made references to the more casual style dressing by the First Lady which was displayed on our president’s European trip , the style of greeting towards heads of states ,especially the Queen of England, and to the lack of decorum for picture taking. As I stated, this isn’t about politics. It is however about decorum and protocol or as some in the media have said lack of protocol.

I do believe that at all times we need to strive to put our best foot forward when meeting someone. It says a lot about ourselves and the respect we have for others and ourselves. I know the White House has a protocol staff which is there to instruct the President and First Lady on issues of protocol.

I am interested in what you think about these articles and pictures which have been written and shown during and since the President’s trip abroad. Is there a more casual presence in the White House? Are people blowing this out of proportion? Is our country being represented in the best light as far as protocol is concerned? What are your thoughts?

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

http://etiquette-blog.com

Corsages and Boutonnieres

Ginny Brown — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:29:50 +0000

As I mentioned in a recent post, prom time is near. Gentlemen do you dread picking out a corsage for your date? Young ladies do you dread receiving your corsage wondering if it will go with your dress? Here are a couple of tips for you and your date. First if your date asks you what kind of flowers you would like, give several choices. Also tell him the color of your dress so the florist can make helpful suggestions. Girls, ask your date if he wants his boutonniere to match the color of your corsage. You don’t have to spend a fortune on these as there are lovely choices that are more reasonable then the traditional orchid.

What happens if your corsage arrives, and it clearly does not go with your dress? A good solution to this is to pin your corsage on your evening bag. You don’t want to offend your date with his choice. So this is a good way to handle this situation.

Now, where do you put the corsage and boutonniere? The corsage may be worn on the shoulder, or wrist if it is a wrist corsage, or pinned to your evening bag. As for the boutonniere, it goes on the lapel of the man’s jacket where the buttonhole is. On both the flowers point upward with the stem pointing down.

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

http://etiquette-blog.com

Do You and Your Child Know How To Set A Table Properly?

Ginny Brown — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:43:38 +0000

Do you know how to set a table properly? If you have children, do they know how to do this? Have you taken the time to teach this skill to your child/children? This is a basic skill that we all sometimes take for granted. Our child/children are old enough at age three to four to start learning the basics of setting a table.

The basic rule in etiquette is to be gracious and respectful. If I am a guest in a home and unconsciously notice that the table is set incorrectly, obviously the gracious thing to do is to do or say nothing. It’s just like the dentist meeting someone and noticing their teeth or the landscaper noticing a yard that’s unattended. It’s not a conscious thing they are doing. That’s their business. Since I teach dining skills, I do notice the table setting. It’s just an automatic thing. I am never judging the person at all. I would never say or do anything in this situation. The last thing I would want to do is insult my host. Remember having etiquette is about being respectful.

Teaching your children how to set the table is a great lesson and can be a fun one. This is a skill I teach in my classes, and the children really enjoy learning this.

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

http://etiquette-blog.com

Tips for Prom Night

Ginny Brown — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:20:40 +0000

This is the time of year where teenagers are anxiously awaiting prom night. Other than graduation, it is the most anticipated event of the spring for high school teens. Here are a few tips to help you make a good impression on your date and the parents.

Check your appearance. Make sure your clothes are pressed and clean. Check your personal hygiene. Be sure to check your breath. You don’t want to knock your date over with bad breath! Instead, knock him/her over with looking the best that you can. Watch the perfume and cologne. Don’t go overboard with the good smelling fragrances. Comb the hair, tuck in the shirt tail, and polish the shoes . Now put on a great smile and have fun.

Meet the parents. Whether you are nervous or not, you want to make a good impression on your date and the parents. When meeting the parents shake their hands and look them in the eye while introducing yourself. When leaving, tell them it was nice to meet them. Young men remember to hold the door for your date while leaving the house and while getting into the car. Your date will be impressed with your manners.

Eating at the restaurant. You want to remember that you are trying to make a good impression. Remember to chew with your mouth closed, don’t talk with food in your mouth, no burping, don’t put your face in your plate and shovel your food in like it’s your last meal, put your napkin in your lap, don’t use a toothpick, and young men please hold the chair for your date. This is your time to shine with your date and friends.

Remember to thank your chaperons for giving of their time to make prom night possible. It takes a lot of community effort to host prom. People appreciate it when their efforts are recognized.

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

http://etiquette-blog.com