The Etiquette School Blog

What is a Finishing School?

I often see the words “Finishing School” labeling what in reality is just an etiquette program.  I suppose the consultants doing this believe that if their training has a lofty name associated with it, their business will be perceived as illustrious and their clients will have certain bragging rights.

I equate this to moms who now call what used to be a baby-sitter (or domestic help) their nanny.  Or the ladies who pretentiously announce that they are attending a High Tea, when in fact, it is a Low Tea or Afternoon Tea that they are going celebrate.

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a finishing school as: “A private school for girls that emphasizes cultural studies and prepares students especially for social activities.”

Vive la difference…in our Country!

When my stepfather, a man from a small homogenous Kentucky town, came for the first time to my son's school’s Grandparent’s Day, his comment was, “My goodness… that school is like the United Nations!” clearly referring to the ethnic diversity of the institution. 

My son jumped at the opportunity to “educate” Grandpa by listing the nationalities and religious backgrounds represented in his classroom.  I beamed!  My son, an elementary schoolboy, had “gotten it”!  He realized that the richness of this world is not in the sameness we share, but in the differences that we posses.

This is why, when I learned about the
defacing of property,  of one of our
foreign physician's home and the one on
DePaul University's campus, my feelings
ran the gamut from frustration to ire.

Children Misbehaving in Restaurants

Much has been said about "children misbehaving in restaurants". 

In the past, when communities were not as transient, seasoned friends and family members guided new parents towards correct child rearing.  Nowadays, many of us do not have the luxury of  living close to friends let alone family.  Therefore, when it comes to civility, parents and children are left to fend for themselves .

Parents hope that their children will learn proper behavior on their own, as they grow older.  Yet, children cannot be expected to behave properly, if they have never been taught to do so at home. This is why I have decided to weigh in on the topic.