Originally posted by: EvilYoda
they treat etiquette like something that matters.
Uhhhhh.....? You don't concern yourself with manners and etiquette?
[snif]Obviously he's some ill-bred Yankee.
Sorry, Jelly-boy, but Cotillion has been around for more than 100 years. It parallels the spring debutante's ball. It started as the means of the old rich southerns to keep and codify their traditions and ways before the civil war.
Basically, it's a class for manners, deportment, and ballroom dancing. Once a week for like ten weeks (yeah, three months), the teachers teach you:
how to receive guests to a party,
how to be presented/introduced into social settings,
what that little fork and extra set of spoons are for at the pricey restaurants
posture while eating
ballroom dancing: waltz, foxtrot, lindy-hop, tennessee waltz, virginia reel, etc.
and basic manners.
these classes were usually held for only the children of "higher society" and members of the country club.
It use to signal the beginning to adulthood, which really meant you learned how to network amongst the hoi-poli and peers.
I went through it [egads!] 23 years ago. I must admit it helped me with my postion at the dinner table. Also, you don't know how many surprised girlfriends (and dates) I had when they found out I could ballrom dance. Let's just say knowing how to dance increased the likelyhood of getting some after dancing.
especially since they also taught me how to wear a tuxedo and to tie a real bow-tie. kind of like james bond camp for me.
I don't know how much any of this still applies to your niece's generation as they will grow up. But table manners are always welcome in my house.
May I ask where your sister or brother is living (where your niece is taking this class)?
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