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.

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Classic Style Buffet Dining

From: The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

Classic Style Buffet Dining Buffet means “sideboard” in French. Basically, the word buffet has more than one meaning. In one sense it is a piece of furniture used for placing food upon. Another meaning for the word buffet is a variety of cold and hot savory dishes. In classic style buffet dining, the host or hostess should place the food courses on the buffet along with dinner plates, flatware, stemware, and napkins. Dinner plates are placed on the opposite side of flatware, stemware, and napkins. The food courses are placed in the middle of the buffet. The host or hostess may help serve their guests, or guests may serve themselves. Ladies are served first. As soon as the guests are served or have served themselves from the buffet, they should find a comfortable place to sit and eat. Guests do not need to wait for everyone to be served in order to begin eating. The host and hostess serve themselves last.

Flowers, candles, or other decorations may be placed on the buffet provided there is sufficient room.

Coffee, tea, liqueurs, stemware, cups, and saucers along with dessert plates and dessert utensils are placed on a separate table. An additional table should be included for used plates.

Learn étiquette and manners with one-on-one training in the comfort of your own home.

Visit www.PoliteSocietySchool.com for more information!

Newest book included in training!

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Learn étiquette and manners with one-on-one training in the comfort of your own home.

Visit www.PoliteSocietySchool.com for more information!

Newest book included in training!

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Friday, November 13, 2020

Ça va de soi partnership with Polite Society School of Étiquette

GREAT OFFER!

EXCLUSIVELY FOR FIRST FIVE APPLICANTS

DECEMBER 1, 2020 – DECEMBER 31, 2020

ENROLL IN ÉTIQUETTE CLASSES

RECEIVE FREE $100 VOUCHER FOR BEAUTIFUL CASHMERE CLOTHING

RECEIVE FREE ÉTIQUETTE BOOK ON MANNERS AND DRESS ATTIRE

Beautiful Holiday Specialty Knitwear Outfits

www.çavadesoi.com

FREE étiquette and manners book entitled:

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea.

www.PoliteSocietySchool.com

INVESTMENT of $75 for two personal one-on-one étiquette classes.

Étiquette online classes include:

Brief history of étiquette, introduction methods, conversation techniques, guidelines for entertaining, illustrations for formal, informal, and family style table settings, Continental and American style dining styles, history, usage, and care of all tableware that includes flatware, dinnerware, stemware, and crystal, appropriate dress attire instructions, personal grooming guidelines, history of tea, types of tea,

tea pairings and tastings, tea food dining instructions, and other useful tea information.

Here is how to apply:

Send an email to Ms. Bernadette M. Petrotta at: BMP@PoliteSocietySchool.com

Ms. Petrotta will instruct you where to send $75.

Upon receipt of your $75, you will receive your requested specific date

for your personal on-line étiquette class via Zoom.

You will receive your personally-autographed étiquette book.

You will also receive your $100 free clothing voucher from ça va de soi via email.

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Ça va de soi partnership with Polite Society School of Étiquette

GREAT OFFER!

EXCLUSIVELY FOR FIRST FIVE APPLICANTS

DECEMBER 1, 2020 – DECEMBER 31, 2020

ENROLL IN ÉTIQUETTE CLASSES

RECEIVE FREE $100 VOUCHER FOR BEAUTIFUL CASHMERE CLOTHING

RECEIVE FREE ÉTIQUETTE BOOK ON MANNERS AND DRESS ATTIRE

Beautiful Holiday Specialty Knitwear Outfits

www.cavadesoi.com

FREE étiquette and manners book entitled:

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea.

www.PoliteSocietySchool.com

INVESTMENT of $75 for two personal one-on-one étiquette classes.

Étiquette online classes include:

tea pairings and tastings, tea food dining instructions, and other useful tea information.

Here is how to apply:

Send an email to Ms. Bernadette M. Petrotta at: BMP@PoliteSocietySchool.com

Ms. Petrotta will instruct you where to send $75.

Upon receipt of your $75, you will receive your requested specific date

for your personal on-line étiquette class via Zoom.

You will receive your personally-autographed étiquette book.

You will also receive your $100 free clothing voucher from ça va de soi via email.

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Learn Étiquette with personal one on one training @ Polite Society School of Étiquette

Learn étiquette and manners with one on one training in the comfort of your own home. Visit www.PoliteSocietySchool.com for more information!

Newest book included in training!

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Friday, October 2, 2020

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

POLITE SOCIETY SCHOOL OF ÉTIQUETTE

PRESENTS TIPS ON CONVERSATION TECHNIQUES

Stimulating conversation is considered an art. Learning to express thoughts and opinions diplomatically may either come naturally or may need to be developed over time. Effective delivery will allow people to enjoy a conversation with you. The best conversations are calm and quiet interchanging of sentiments where there is no competition and no vanity.

The following questions are conversation starters:

How is the weather?

Who is your favorite entertainer?

Who is your favorite actor?

How do you spend your free time?

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

Have you taken any vacations lately?

What would be your perfect weekend?

Do you enjoy the theatre?

Do you have any cultural pursuits?

What are your personal interests?

Have you read any good books lately?

Are you very active or do you prefer to just relax in your free time?

The following topics should never be included in public conversation:

Any part of a person’s body, hair, hair color, or disability

Money

Politics

Religion

Sex

Family

Love life

The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

Visit website for personal online classes and books @ www.PoliteSocietySchool.com

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Étiquette during this time...

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Safety is the guideline right now and it is important to protect ourselves and others. Be respectable and considerate.

Polite Society School of Étiquette not only teaches common courtesies, it teaches you how to dine properly with others.

Please see my book for everything you need to know. You can also take an online class. Please email or call to schedule. Go to PoliteSocietySchool.com for more information.

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

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.