In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Teaching manners to kids, Hogwarts-style

(The Globe and Mail) The Havelock Academy in northeast England is taking a new approach to teaching etiquette to children. The academy's housemasters have have found inspiration in the Harry Potter series. The academy is holding regular Hogwarts-style banquets to give its students a sit-down meal experience. A number of the children at the academy in Grimsby, one of the poorest parts of England, are less familiar with a traditional meal around a table, and more used to eating fast food in front of the television. The students, aged 11 to 16, are curious about this kind of dining experience, and putting it into the context of a Hogwarts style banquet makes it fun and appealing.

1.

Etiquette: sound old fashioned and stuffy?

The Etiquette Class
The Etiquette Class was founded by Janet Watson, an etiquette coach based in Calgary. She offers lessons in etiquette specializing in dining, business, and international situations. Watson is certified as an etiquette consultant, and has personal experience in business and social etiquette. She is also the "Etiquette Expert" for the online magazine, Sweetspot. The services offered by Watson's consulting business do seem geared toward adults - particularly professionals. Her teachings are meant to encourage "an awakening in the public domain of the importance and efficacy of etiquette as an enabling and enriching learning experience - one that contributes to a more graceful, at-ease way of conducting oneself."

2.

Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette

USA Today - Books
This is the mother of all etiquette guides. First published in 1952, Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette serves as a guide in many a household. The book is not meant to be read from cover to cover. It is a reference book, and is meant to be used as a guide on a number of daily tasks. "Mindful etiquette" is what this book is meant to instil. The intention of the book is to help its reader communicate well with others and feel more confident in social situations. If an individual is familiar with the appropriate behaviour for each situation, he or she can be more relaxed in public. Covering topics such as family and private life, business, dining, dress and grooming, the book addresses "all the major questions of etiquette."

3.

Etiquette + Encyclopedia

Emily Post Institute
This website is an encyclopedia on etiquette. An "etipedia," if you will. It covers a bevy of information on manners and appropriate behaviour. From weddings, business, to social media and the everyday social encounters, EmilyPost.com will direct a your question to the right source. Though the first Emily Post book, Etiquette, was published in 1922 and the Emily Post Institute (EPI) was established in 1946, it keeps with the changing times to offer etiquette guidance to even the most modern young person. "Acting as a social civility barometer, EPI elucidates new manners for today's world based on core values of honesty, respect, and consideration."

4.

Psst… Table manners still matter!

Reader's Digest
Table manners are lost on far too many. As the introduction says, even the slurping of soup or using a tooth pick at the table is all it takes to cross the line from fine dining to faux pas. This short article offers a mini-refresher course in proper dining etiquette from Louise Foxx of the Etiquette Ladies, Canada's Etiquette Experts. Regardless of how casual an evening meal, table manners should always be present. A few points include keeping a glass at arms length if you are the recipient of a toast. You should never drink to your own toast. You simply nod and say, "Thank you." Another rule is that food should be allowed to cool on its own and should not be blown on. Though they are often forgotten, appropriate table manners are integral to any meal.

5.

Waving the finger of disapproval

Etiquette Hell
This website is an account of over 6,000 first-hand stories of poor etiquette written by people who are tired of dealing with appallingly bad manners. Etiquette Hell considers itself a grassroots movement which provides "cyber peer pressure on society to change the bad behaviour." Jeanne Hamilton, a writer and professional wedding coordinator, is behind the movement. The etiquette website links to her own wedding etiquette website, Hell's Bells, which is also complete with tales of bridezillas and weddings gone awry thanks to inappropriate behaviour. For the person who seeks a passive aggressive way of venting their frustration over poor manners, Etiquette Hell is the place to do it.