Polite Society School of Étiquette

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.

Monday, August 23, 2021

Proper way to drink Tea

Once you are served tea, you may pick up your cup of tea by grasping with you thumb and index finger. Contrary to popular belief, the pinkie should never be held upright, which is considered rude. Finally, tea is sipped, not gulped, and the cup is returned to the saucer between sips.

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 available on Amazon.

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Canapé - Where did this word come from?

TIMES GONE BY....

The term canapé comes from the French word for "couch." This makes sense if you look at the garnish as a person, sitting on a couch! I love this explanation!

Nonetheless, it is expected that a canapé be salty or spicy, as its job as an appetizer is to increase the guests' appetites.

more interesting facts coming....

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 available on Amazon.

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management (1861)

Isabella Beeton

The 1861 Classic with Advice on Cooking, Cleaning, Childrearing, Entertaining, and More!

As my biography says, I worked for the City of Los Angeles for 30 years. I loved my job, but the job I felt most happy with was my job at home. I loved creating a beautiful home and I just adored raising my son. I was very fortunate that I was able to take many years off work and I even worked part time during my City years. I can tell anyone who might wonder which job was the hardest! The stay at home was the hardest and the most rewarding - I truly was the "Commander of my Home" as Mrs. Beeton says in her book.

From Mrs. Beeton - As with the commander of an army, or the leader of any enterprise, so is it with the mistress of a house. Her spirit will be seen through the whole establishment; and just in proportion as she performs her duties intelligently and thoroughly. Of all those acquirements, which more particularly belong to the feminine character, there are none which take a higher rank than such as enter into a knowledge of household duties; for on these are perpetually dependent the happiness, comfort, and well-being of a family.

Monday, May 17, 2021

Handshaking - The Ultimate Greeting

Brief History of Handshaking

Handshaking—The Ultimate Greeting Shaking hands creates a favorable impression and influences others to do the same. The handshake is important because it is the accepted greeting in almost all countries. Always shake hands when: introduced to a person and when you say goodbye, when someone comes into your office to see you, when you meet someone outside your office or home, when you enter a room, when you leave a gathering, when you congratulate someone who has won an award or given a speech, and when you are consoling someone. Be sure to make eye contact. Smile while shaking someone’s hand. Smiling triggers positive endorphins. A firm but not overpowering handshake is usually a good idea. Be especially careful how much pressure you exert if you are shaking hands with an elderly person or if you are wearing heavy rings that might bruise. Be sure your handshake is both firm and brief. Count to three and let go. Also, use your right hand even if you are left-handed because most people are right-handed.

Always stand when shaking hands and never shake hands over a barrier (desk, etc.). In America, people usually shake hands with two shakes.

Historically, gentlemen would frequently carry swords since they could never be quite sure who their friends were. When engaging in combat, they would unsheathe their weapons using their right hand as the sword was carried in a scabbard on their left hip. Therefore, when meeting someone they considered a friend, they would show that they meant no harm by presenting their right hand away from the left hip, palm open, to confirm they were not holding a weapon.

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 available on Amazon.

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

Thursday, February 25, 2021

EASY ENTERTAINING

Entertaining is one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon people while creating memorable events for family and friends. It is a time for enjoying cherished friends, introducing family members to old friends, and creating an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming. One of the most welcoming aspects of entertaining is to create a beautiful table that will add brilliance and peacefulness to a meal. Mixing antique collections with contemporary pieces adds drama and a sense of the unexpected whether setting a formal, an informal, or a family table setting.

Hopefully, this chapter will inspire hosts and hostesses to entertain and also inspire guests to be entertained in the most elegant fashion. Above all, graciousness should be the most outstanding characteristic for all.

The first step to entertaining begins with sending out invitations. Invitations are very important and should be designed or purchased to fit the occasion. There is a lot of flexibility and variation to style, paper, color, and wording. There is also proper protocol for addressing individuals.

MORE ON MY LASTEST BOOK!

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

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

Visit www.PoliteSocietySchool.com for more information!

Enjoy!

Bernadette M. Petrotta

Founder & Director

Polite Society School of Étiquette

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

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.