Etiquette lessons for teenagers

[mamhaf]

This sounds very Hyacinth Bucket - but I've realised my teenage dds have a lot to learn about good manners.

Despite my best efforts, their table manners and general awareness of polite behaviour in public are lacking at times... and I don't want it to hold them back.

Being typical teenagers, they don't listen to much I say.

Has anyone here had any experience of the short courses advertised online which teach these sort of things in a way that might have a lasting impact on them? I'd hope it would give them more confidence in social situations they'll encounter in future.

Thanks!

[FallenCaryatid]

Are they interested in learning etiquette?
Otherwise you are just wasting your money, and the thin veneer they will obtain after a course will be lost in a month.

[mamhaf]

The eldest one is because of her career aspirations - she wants to fit into different situations. i was thinking of something for her initially and seeing how that goes.

[FallenCaryatid]

So how much refinement do they need? Learning to call things by their posh names and how to use all the variants of silverware with aplomb?
Or more basic manners, such as rules of conversation and polite behaviour in public?
How do you model things at home?

[FireOverBabylon]

Do you have a "nice" occasion coming up where you could justify going out as a family for a meal in an expensive restaurant? You could prepare your teenagers in advance at home to cope with several sets of cutlery, talking in several small groups around the table etc. I guess this is what you mean, a good grounding in manners and not eating with your mouth open, rather than how to address a Viscount or Archbishop.

[mamhaf]

The latter - e.g how to behave as a house guest etc. I model well at home, but unfortunately dh was brought up with appalling manners and they've picked up on some of that.

I realised when one of the dds leaned across a stranger on public transport to pass me something that she needed to improve her awareness.

[FallenCaryatid]

Oh, I noticed you mentioned online courses. How will they get to practise with real people?

[mamhaf]

We eat out a lot so that's not so much of an issue, and they criticise dh for eating with his mouth open. Actually, he's probably in need of it more than them, but that's a whole new thread!

[mamhaf]

Courses advertised online - I googled earlier and loads came up. They are face-to-face (and expensive) which is why I wondered if anyone here had good, or bad, experiences of them.