Polite Society School of Étiquette

Welcome

Polite Society School of Étiquette offers a thoughtfully curated collection of courses designed to cultivate grace, confidence, and impeccable poise. The following courses are offered. Beginning Étiquette Course — An introduction to the essential principles of etiquette, gracious manners, and confident social interaction. Afternoon Tea Étiquette Course — An elegant exploration of afternoon tea traditions, tea-table etiquette, and the art of hosting and participating in this cherished ritual. Protocol, Decorum, & Savoir-Faire Course — A study of refined conduct, formal protocol, and the discernment required to navigate social and professional settings with confidence. The Story of Tea Course — A captivating journey through the history, culture, and traditions of tea, celebrating its enduring influence on societies around the world. Étiquette tutelage is also offered through speaking engagements, instructional webinars, school seminars, private dinners, and specialty tea events. The School's mission is to educate both adults and children in the traditional principles of etiquette and the essential social skills needed for everyday life. The curriculum encompasses the history of etiquette, social graces, dining etiquette, proper table settings, appropriate attire, protocol, decorum, and other valuable etiquette practices. Students also learn the art and essentials of preparing and serving a proper Afternoon Tea. Polite Society School of Étiquette provides students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the expectations of society with grace, poise, and confidence, empowering them to feel comfortable and self-assured in any social situation. All courses include foods and beverages as teaching aids. Interactive online training courses are available.

Friday, April 1, 2016

The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea Book

The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea Book

From the book:

Making A Perfect Pot Of Tea

The round shape of the teapot was designed by the Chinese who used a muskmelon as a model. The shape is different from a coffee or chocolate pot. The rounded lower portion or body of the teapot is rounded to insure the tea leaves have the proper room for expansion during the infusion process. The lower placement of the spout on the vessel allows for the tea to be poured without interfering with the leaves.

The make a perfect pot of tea, boil fresh cold water in a kettle. Cold water is essential because it has more oxygen content and gives the tea a fuller flavor. While the water is boiling, warm the teapot with hot water. Once the teapot is warmed, pour out the water and put in the tea leaves. Use one teaspoon of tea leaves or one tea bag per cup of tea. Place measured amount of tea in a tea sock, a basket infuser, or a disposable paper tea filter. Metal should not be used. No metal should touch the tea while it is brewing. Once the water has reached its desired temperature, bring the teapot over to the kettle and pour the water into the teapot immediately. (Boiling water drops in temperature the moment you lift it from the flame). Cover the teapot with a tea cozy or place the teapot on a hotplate that is heated by a candle.

Always brew by the clock, not by the color. Every tea has its own distinct character. Different teas and herbal infusions require different steeping or infusion times. White, green, and oolong teas steep for about one to two minutes while black and chai teas and herbal infusions steep for about three to seven minutes. Steeping time also depends on several factors such as the tea family, the leaf size, and the amount of twist or roll in the leaf. Most tea merchants include brewing instructions on their labels. Every tea will taste better if it is "brewed rather than stewed."

Enjoy a fabulous cuppa,

Friday, December 25, 2015

Last four Seasonal Essentials!

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE FESTIVE SCENTS #9

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH #10

THE NATIVITY #11

THE CAROLS #12

Christmas simply would not be Christmas

without these traditional accompaniments.

#9 - THE FESTIVE SCENTS

Of all our senses, it is our sense of smell that is believed to be the most powerful in activating memories of bygone times. Little wonder, then, that many enjoy filling their homes with the scents of past childhood Christmases. From generation to generation, we pass down a tradition of using clove-studded oranges, bundles of cinnamon, eucalyptus and the fresh smell of pine to set a magical olfactory ambience.

#10 - THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

On Christmas Day, people across the land stop their activities to tune into HM The Queen's traditional annual message to her subjects. The time was chosen because in 1932 when King George V began the tradition, this was deemed to be the best time to reach most of the countries in the Empire live by shortwave radio from the transmitters in Britain. Today, the speech is pre-recorded and shown on television, but the importance of tuning in remains as strong as ever for most.

#11 - THE NATIVITY

As a charming re-enactment of the birth of Christ, this event reminds everyone of the origins of this most important of Christian celebrations. Earnest children dressed in makeshift costumes stumble through memorized lines, whilst adults hold their breath to catch every word, and parents smile or even shed a tear of pride.

#12 - THE CAROLS

Lilting lyrics are sung with gusto from door to door, around the piano or in church at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The compositions bring people together in musical nostalgia, and everyone has their favorite carol, be it We Three Kings, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or Silent Night.

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

THE PUDDING

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE PUDDING - #8

Christmas simply would not be Christmas

without these traditional accompaniments.

This rich concoction of alcohol-soaked dried fruits, citrus peel, nuts, suet and spices has long been the grand finale to the Christmas feast. Home-made on Stir-up Sunday (the last Sunday before Advent), the pudding often conceals a silver coin (traditionally a sixpence), which is said to endow good fortune upon the diner who finds it within their portion. The pudding is usually doused with brandy, whisky or rum, which is set alight to create a flaming spectacle before serving.

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

THE MULLED WINE

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE MULLED WINE - #7

Christmas simply would not be Christmas

without these traditional accompaniments.

Many of the comforting, warming drinks that our ancestors would have known have fallen out of favor. As author Jane Strutters reveals in The Book of Christmas, winter was the time of great experimentation with hot drinks from Bishop to Posset to Het Pint, which are rarely known today.

Yet mulled wine continues to be served. We are intrigued to try a fabulous recipe and the advice is to use a good quality wine when making it. And don't forget to top with a little freshly-grated nutmeg!

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Polite Society School of Etiquette: THE GIVING OF PRESENTS

Polite Society School of Etiquette: THE GIVING OF PRESENTS: 12 Seasonal Essentials THE GIVING OF PRESENTS - #6 Christmas simply would not be Christmas without these traditional accompaniment...

THE GIVING OF PRESENTS

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE GIVING OF PRESENTS - #6

Christmas simply would not be Christmas

without these traditional accompaniments.

To give is more pleasurable than to receive, our grandparents would often say. For many, this still holds true, at Christmas in particular.

Despite concerns of commercialization, it is the thoughtful and the hand-made and the time-consumingly sourced presents that still warm hearts the most - echoing, too, the giving of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In England these offerings are more correctly known as presents, whereas in American it is referred to as gifts.

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Friday, December 18, 2015

THE LAVISH FEAST - 12 Seasonal Essentials

12 Seasonal Essentials

THE LAVISH FEAST - #5

Christmas simply would not be Christmas

without these traditional accompaniments.

Christmas dinner is really little more than an expansion on a tradional Sunday roast, yet certain key extras elevate the meal into a ritual of expectation that everyone relishes.

A golden turkey replaced roast goose as the preferred centerpiece during Victorian times and sausage meat, chestnut stuffing, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, sprouts and 'pigs in blankets' (chipolatas wrapped in bacon) are the usual accompaniments. Pulling crackers and wearing paper crowns whilst eating is an unwritten rule in many households - the hats, once an emblem of the three kings, have now become a symbol of the British need to not take themselves too seriously.

Thank you English Home!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

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.