Welcome

Polite Society School of Étiquette offers a variety of courses. Beginning Étiquette Course, Afternoon Tea Étiquette Course, Protocol, Decorum, & Savoir-Faire Course, and The Story of Tea Course. Étiquette tutelage is presented at speaking engagements, instructional webinars, school seminars, private dinners, and specialty tea events. The School's mission is to educate adults and children in customary codes of conduct with an emphasis on everyday social skills. History of étiquette, social graces, dining principles, table setting instructions, appropriate dress attire, protocol, decorum, and other useful étiquette techniques along with the essentials of preparing a “Proper” Afternoon Tea are incorporated in the curriculum. Polite Society School of Étiquette provides rules for living in our society that will enable students to feel comfortable and confident in all social situations. All courses include foods and beverages as teaching aids. Interactive online training courses are available.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

The excitement of Christmas is inextricably linked to well-loved tradtions: decorating the tree with glittering baubles and colourful lights, hanging capacious stockings by a blazing log fire, and wrapping up warm for Midnight Mass in a snow-covered village church. But there are other, lesser-known customs that take place around this sceptred isle at Christmastide: some stretch back into the darkness of pre-Christian times; others are recent inventions that combine fun with charitable aims. What they all have in common however is spectacle, goodwill, and for those who practise them - simply the Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without them.

I am thrilled to share with you the following traditions from English Home Magazine.

BOXING DAY MEETS

There are few sights more stiring than that of an English fox hunt: mounted followers resplendent in scarlet coats; magnificently-muscled hunters, straining at the bit to gallop over hill and vale; and baying hounds twitching to pick up the scent of their quarry. December 26 marks the biggest day of the year for most hunts, which nowadays chase scent-drag trails instead of foxes.

TOM BAWCOCK'S EVE, MOUSEHOLE

At Christmas time in the 16th century - so the story goes - the inhabitants of Mousehole (pronounced 'Mowzel') in Cornwall were facing starvation. Stormy weather had imprisoned boats in the harbour and food stocks had dwindled to almost nothing. But Tom Bawcock was not going to be beaten. He braved the waves to land seven different kinds of fish to make a huge 'stargazey' pie; and just in case the hungry villagers doubted his success, the pie was baked with the fishheads poking through the pastry.

His feat is celebrated on December 23 when the landlord of The Ship bakes another stargazey pie, and elderly villagers are handed fish-shaped biscuits, to the accompaniment of songs by the Mousehole Male Voice Choir.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

I am thrilled to share with you the following traditions from English Home Magazine.

THE MUMMERS

"Roast beef, plum pudding and mince pie - who likes that better than King William and I?" chant the Marshfield Mummers: the Old Time Paper Boys every Boxing Day, as they take to the streets to perform an age-old play complete with sword fights, violent death and hope-filled resurrection. They are part of the mummers' tradition, with roots in medieval times, where troupes of actors stage fold-plays featuring characters such as Father Beelzebub, good St. George, and the evil Turkish Knight.

The Marshfield Paper Boys, with their rich west-country accents, earned their name thanks to the elaborate costumes they make out of coloured paper. Farmer Dick Knight has performed with them for 60 years: "At one time, almost every village in England would have had mummers but Marshfield is probably the only one where that custome has never died."

WASSAIL

"Waes Hael", the Saxon for 'good health', was a midwinter drinking toast of sweet, spicy punch, shared in a communal cup that became known as the Wassail bowl. In early times, carol singers would 'wassail' door to door in return for gifts of money at Christmas and New Year. By the end of the 17th century, when cider-making had become a staple industry, the wassailing ceremony was also practised in orchards to guarantee a good harvest.

Stay tuned...more tomorrow...

Sunday, December 9, 2012

21 DECEMBER - ST THOMAS' DAY

A Traditional Christmas in England

ST THOMAS' DAY

21 December

Once the day when adult members of each parish would give small amounts of money to their poorer, elderly neighbours. This was known as 'Thomasing' or 'Mumpsing'.

Merry Christmas

Sunday, November 11, 2012

THE CHRISTMAS CALENDAR

Discover a key date in this festive season

Historic beginnings

11 November

A day of feasting and jollity which coincided with the annual slaughtering of livestock in preparation for winter. In the 4th and 5th centuries this feast day was in preparation for the strict Advent fast that began the following day.

From English Home Magazine

Enjoy this Christmas Season

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Tis the season

Tis the Season....

I will be sharing some fabulous tidbits about the Christmas as I did last year.

I hope you all enjoy. I will begin tomorrow with November 11......more later......

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Featured in TEA in TEXAS - November/December Issue

I am thrilled to be featured in TEA in TEXAS, a travel and lifestyle magazine about people, products, and unique events for tea lovers and travel enthusiasts.

TEA in TEXAS

FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF READING

It’s that wonderful time of year for celebrating! Thanksgiving offers us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our many blessings. Hanukkah and Christmas usher in those long awaited, and much planned for, special times spent with family and friends. If part of your celebrating includes gift giving, you are in luck. The following new ‘tea reads’ will not only captivate you, but they will also likely find themselves on your gift lists.

The Art Of The Social Graces
by Bernadette Michelle Petrotta

In the hustle and bustle of today’s society, it often seems that etiquette has become a ‘thing of the past.’ However, tea parties offer the perfect opportunity to teach proper tea protocol not only to ladies ‘young in age,’ but also ladies ‘young at heart.’ The charming book entitled The Art of the Social Graces, by Bernadette Michelle Petrotta, is an excellent resource for your personal library. This compact, easy to read book includes detailed illustrations for table settings as well as helpful hints for entertaining at parties, whether small or large, informal or formal. Of special interest to tea lovers is the included section on Victorian Afternoon Tea where Petrotta shares “instructions on making the perfect pot of tea, illustrated tea settings, and dining etiquette for scones, savories, and petits fours.”

The Art of the Social Graces shares a brief history of etiquette which will provide readers with an understanding of why it is an important part of our everyday lives. The information presented on introductions, invitations, table settings, graceful dining manners as well as how to choose appropriate attire enables readers to be gracious hosts and/or guests no matter the occasion. “Whether you are a homemaker, business professional, or student… it will empower readers with confidence and learning essentials that will be life changing.”

Ms. Bernadette Michelle Petrotta is an author and small business owner, married, and has a son. In 1996 she founded the Polite Society School of Etiquette which offers “a variety of courses, speaking engagements, seminars, individual training, and instruction at private dinners and tea events.”
If your ‘cup of tea’ includes traditional teatimes and love of things international, the following two books will have a special appeal.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

NORTHWEST TEA FESTIVAL - OCTOBER 6th & 7th, 2012

The Puget Sound Tea Education Association

I am so excited to be speaking again at this fabulous event. I will be speaking on tea etiquette. I have provided information below regarding the festival. Their website is http://www.nwteafestival.com/

Come visit us
- October 6th & 7th 2012 -
Be a part of our celebration of the exciting world of tea.

The Festival is a fun and educational event about the multifaceted world of tea. Our goal is to provide experiences covering all aspects of tea, from the cultural to the historical and the sensory to the scientific.

Bringing together authors, industry experts, buyers, retailers, artists, and educators, we hope you learn something new and expand your enjoyment of this most fascinating of beverages!

About PStea --
The Puget Sound Tea Education Association

In 2007 the PStea organization came into existence to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the introduction of tea to Europe. The first tea from China arrived in Amsterdam in 1607 changing forever the drinking habits of Europe and, ultimately, the Americas.
To commemorate this anniversary, five Seattle based tea companies -

Barnes & Watson Fine Teas
The Perennial Tea Room
Teahouse Kuan Yin
Village Yarn And Tea
Tea Geek

- all came together and created an organization whose goals are to expand the knowledge about and promote all aspects of tea, from the cultural to the historical and the sensory to the scientific.
With a vision of an organization providing information and education on tea in all of its cultural formats as well as its variety of styles. The Northwest Tea Festival was begun as the first step in this process. It is our goal to expand our educational focus to regular programs throughout the year - dinners, tea tastings, trips to countries of origin - all of these are potential endeavors of the PSTea. We invite you to join us and share and expand our vision.
The Northwest Tea Festival is brought to you by The Puget Sound Tea Education Association (PStea).
Bringing together authors, industry experts, buyers, retailers, artists, and educators, we hope you learn something new and expand your enjoyment of this most fascinating of beverages!
Our founding members are:
Deborah Barnes, Village Yarn & Tea
Michael Coffey, Tea Geek
Marcus Gramps, Teahouse Kuan Yin
James Norwood Pratt, author of New Tea Lover's Treasury
Julee Rosanoff, Perennial Tea Room
Ken Rudee, Barnes & Watson Fine Teas

NEW REVISED EDITION - The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

The Polite School of Étiquette presents Volume V, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition, featuring Social Graces, Étiquette History, Introduction Methods, Entertaining Guidelines, Correspondence Protocol, History of Tableware, Dining out Manners, American and Continental Style Dining, Appropriate Dress Attire, Personal Care and Home Management, History of Tea, Types of Tea, Tea Pairings and Tastings, Afternoon Tea in England, Tea Food Dining Instructions, and Formalities for Preparing a “Proper” Afternoon Tea. This revised edition is an updated compilation of Volume I, Volume II, and Volume IV with additional étiquette information and home management guidelines. The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition offers practical knowledge in basic social skills for all occasions and settings and includes useful information and advice to enhance one’s lifestyle in the social and business world. It takes the reader through a brief history of étiquette, offers introduction methods and conversation techniques, provides guidelines for entertaining, presents illustrations for formal, informal, and family style table settings, and explains the difference between Continental and American Style dining. It also provides instructions on the proper way to consume soups, beverages, tea, coffee, and various difficult foods. With beautiful photographs, exquisite china, gleaming silver, and stunning floral bouquets, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition delights the senses with elegant and picturesque table settings, antique teacups, and beautiful linens. Together these elements form the foundation for an elegant table setting. In the chapters dedicated to Afternoon Tea, detailed information is provided on the history of tea, styles of tea, types of tea, tea pairings with fruits and savouries, and tea tasting characteristics. Instructions are provided on making the perfect pot of tea for this charming custom that was once the hallmark of high society. Detailed guidelines are presented on how to set a proper tea table and how to set up a tea style buffet along with instructions on dining with savouries, scones, and petits fours. This newest volume illustrates various methods for conducting oneself gracefully in his or her professional life keeping in mind the importance of first impressions. The chapter on virtues contains important information on self-discipline, friendship, courage, and other aspects for living a good life. As a bonus, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition journeys through chapters on the history, usage, and care of all tableware which includes flatware, dinnerware, stemware, and crystal. Credit is given to Richard Osterberg’s book, Sterling Silver Flatware (Published in 1994 by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.) for much of this information. Mr. Osterberg’s passionate interest in antiques and silver began during his Vermont childhood. He was introduced to a goldsmith and silversmith from Scotland and over time developed an interest in English, Scottish, and American silver that resulted in several publications. Credit is also given to William Hanson, executive director and owner of The English Manner based in London. Mr. Hanson is widely regarded as the most trusted authority on étiquette and civility. His life’s work continues to be the training of royalty, government officials, diplomats, and VIPs who wish to integrate good manners into the global forum. Mr. Hanson’s expert advice is priceless. Whether one is a homemaker, business professional, or student, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition will empower every reader with confidence as he or she learns life-changing essential manners and practical skills while exploring the world of étiquette. It will serve as one’s treasury of gracious living and offer inspiration for curating welcoming interiors and entertaining for every occasion.

EMMA The Étiquette Cat: Meet Emma Book

Volume III, EMMA The Étiquette Cat: Meet Emma, is beautifully written and illustrated. This children’s book is about Emma Elizabeth, an adorable Ragdoll feline. She is about two years old and is the sweetest kitty cat. Mischievous and loving with an abundance of curiosity, Emma fancies herself as a well-behaved kitty and her daily quest is to please her mum. She loves to play and sometimes gets into a bit of trouble, but her mum is very forgiving and gently corrects her. Children will instantly fall in love with Emma as they try to emulate her good manners. They will also enjoy her appetite for treats and her delightful personality. Gaylen Whiteman, an extremely talented artist who lives on picturesque Whidbey Island, beautifully illustrates Emma’s bright blue eyes and her gorgeous furry coat. Gaylen, who signs by her first name, captures Emma’s curious personality as she is featured near mum’s tea table, antique tub, and other interesting areas of her home. The book also includes a fabulous healthy English Scone Recipe, a Mock Devonshire Cream Recipe, and a Blackberry Fruit Spread Recipe for parents to make with their children along with a short explanation of the word “etiquette,” a child’s place setting illustration, and a family-style place setting illustration.