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I am a fan of teaching kids manners. I've always thought that it's primarily the role of parents to help their children learn the basics of etiquette.
Apparently I am wrong.
Instead, parents should be sending their kids to a class called The Art of Etiquette at Montage Laguna Beach while their "parents can schedule spa treatments and a poolside lunch at Spa Montage."
I'm serious. That is the exact pitch I received. Pay someone else $200 to teach a kid manners and mom and dad chill by the pool, get a message or mani/pedi (for an additional cost. A basic manicure starts at $65).
Here's the course description:
- Day-to-day Manners and Etiquette: Please and thank you, self-respect and respect for others, respecting cultural differences, appropriate dress for today’s young people, “Netiquette” – cell phone and Internet etiquette
- Common Courtesies: Name tags, shaking hands, eye contact, introducing yourself and others, how to address adults, comfortable conversation skills, standing, sitting, walking and posture, writing a simple thank you note, and telephone etiquette
- Dining Skills: Napkins, silverware, styles of eating (American and European), place settings, serving yourself and others, dining out, how to read a menu, tips on tipping, how to deal with dining accidents, thanking your host and hostess
- Tutorial Luncheon: Practice makes perfect: use all the etiquette and dining skills previously discussed in an actual four-course dining experience.
Children's etiquette classes have been offered and attended for ages. I'm sure some folks think they are cute and fun. There's a part of me that thinks that as well. But it also reeks of pawning off Parenting 101 responsibilities. (Shoot, maybe $200 is a steal? Can they teach the kids to do laundry and clean their rooms too?)
But in all seriousness, why not involve the parents instead of shooing them away? Why not empower moms and dads with the tools to teach their own kids gain confidence through solid manners? Leading by example has to still stand for something.
Separating the idea that mom and dad chill at the spa, what's your take on sending kids to fancy etiquette/manners classes? Should they be learning this from their parents?
