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Original poster

OMG surely this is a joke?

130 replies

TwigTheWonderKid · 17/10/2018 17:32

Ladies & Gents?!

Or does everyone send their 8 year olds to this kind of class and I have been a negligent parent?

OP posts:
Teddy1970 · 18/10/2018 21:19

Where is the OP?

hmmwhatatodo · 18/10/2018 21:19

I agree about the course titles, it may be somewhat off putting for some. Also, I would worry about my 13/14 year old not being confident enough to be in a class with 17 year olds. I definitely see an interest in one day courses on social interaction and confidence/wellbeing (not so bothered about correct way to lay a table or how to eat tricky food if I’m honest). I do see a market for half hour confidence building, manners, dealing with new people, being polite etc for after school clubs actually. Good luck. Where will your London venue be by the way Zoe?

LookImAHooman · 18/10/2018 21:28

Crikey. I was expecting four figures - £350 sounds very reasonable. I’d certainly consider a course for mine in a few years.

hmm I saw Marylebone mentioned.

Noviceoftheweek · 18/10/2018 21:34

Such a fabulous idea. I can think of quite a few people who could benefit from a course like this. Very best of luck with it. Smile

Gwenhwyfar · 18/10/2018 21:34

This is who you made me think of OP

now Lauren
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Harries

legolimb · 18/10/2018 21:36

Sounds like a great idea to me.

I can think of plenty of people (children and adults) who would benefit from some etiquette lessons.

Can I have a job please?

ChiaraRimini · 18/10/2018 21:45

Good God can you not teach your children social skills? If not I'd suggest the parents go on the course.

AllAtHome · 18/10/2018 22:01

Read he thread for very good reasons why people might not be able to do it themselves - autism in the child or the adult, or coming from overseas (social skills/ good etiquette is not always the same in different countries).

stellabird · 18/10/2018 23:53

I read that in the US, some teachers in low socio-economic area schools have "gentleman's clubs" for boys who have no fathers , and have poor social skills. The teachers educate them about things like handshaking, making eye contact, dressing appropriately , eating at the table. More power to them - I'm sure this is a good thing for children to give them social confidence.

Rebecca36 · 19/10/2018 00:03

A lovely idea but I don't see why such classes cannot be incorporated into the school curriculum and also at home.

Stillme1 · 19/10/2018 02:16

This would be an amazing course for so many people of all ages.

I watch a lot of tv progs. where there is a lot of eating such as Come Dine With Me and the way some people handle cutlery sets my teeth on edge. I see people when I am in restaurants who seem to have no idea how to use cutlery or how to chew food.

I had some visitors to my house. They were mothers and children from year 2/3. I had the table set and served up at the table. The young children sat in their seats and ate with as much politeness as they could manage. Their mothers lifted their plates from the table and proceeded to the sofas where they sat with their backs to the arms and their feet up on the cushions eating with a fork only. There were sufficient places at the table for everyone to sit at the table. There was conversation around the table but the mothers did not join in with that having their own conversation,

The young children were clearly not used to eating at the table but they seemed to love it. I wonder how much of a chance these children will have with parents who don't seem to know what a table is for.

I was brought up with all meals at the table complete with tablecloths suitable for the meal served, and cutlery. I think it is going to be a lost art in the future. I am not the spinster aunt!

Graphista · 19/10/2018 04:24

While I think the classes are great the content is fab and useful. It saddens me that this kind of thing is no longer taught within other organisations as they used to be.

I've been a scout and guide leader in the past and I appreciate they're wanting to "modernise" and keep kids wanting to go but I remember when things like this came up in various badges.

Hopefully I'm wrong but from what I see of these orgs now it doesn't seem to be the case any longer.

Also Blush thought I'd done a good job with dd (at least she doesn't shovel her food in with fork only and barely an inch between nose and food like her father!) but I do wince ehen she calls her friends homes landline phones and if anyone but friend answers doesn't introduce herself, ask how they are before asking politely for friend, no it's just "hi is Gemma there?"

Not rude particularly but not how I was taught.

Zoebirri · 19/10/2018 06:04

Dear Mumsnet,

I am pleased to see that my courses have caused discussion and debate. Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with their support, to those who have given me advice and feedback (I am always looking for this as a new small and local business - so please do keep it coming) and, of course, to those who have booked! I would never have expected to be trending on Mumsnet and it has been a wonderful experience. Thank you!

Please do stay in touch with us and follow us, it means so much to a small local business owner like me!

www.facebook.com/thesunningdaleacademy

Very best wishes,
Zoe Birri

Gwenhwyfar · 19/10/2018 06:35

"doesn't introduce herself"

I'm over 40 and it was not the case growing up that people making domestic calls introduced themselves unprompted. I always asked 'Who's speaking?'

I think I only introduce myself on work calls.

OutComeTheWolves · 19/10/2018 06:40

@Zoebirri I think it looks fabulous. I've long thought children who aren't taught these things end up at a huge disadvantage once they end up in the workplace.

I also think social media etiquette is hugely important. The amount of people you see with their phones out when they're in company really annoys me and I was at a funeral recently and the teenage granddaughter of the deceased was taking selfies while we were waiting for it to start.

legolimb · 19/10/2018 07:13

Stillme I agree.

The trouble is that children can't learn table manners etc from their parents if said parents don't know the rules in the first place. It seems to be the norm now to eat how you please, elbows on table, cutlery held in very awkward positions.

Those that say they should teach it at school might have a point. If only there was time in the school day.

I was embarrassed to be shown how to hold my knife and fork at school by the headmistress. I was in junior school - so I think about 8 years old. I hadn't been shown at home - which is odd as DM does use her cutlery correctly but I suppose just hadn't thought to make a point of ensuring that we children did. So since then I have been quite keen to try and learn correct table manners and passed it on to my own DS.

Luglio · 19/10/2018 07:26

Check out the Facebook page. Zoe is gorgeous Grin

MsJaneAusten · 19/10/2018 07:41

I would actually LOVE for my son to go on something like this. Zoe, it probably wasn’t your initial target market, but if you want to develop a wider / charitable aim, maybe talk to NAS or Barnardo’s about offering courses to autistic children.

Zoebirri · 19/10/2018 07:59

@MsJaneAusten - Thank you for this feedback - I love the idea. I will definitely be looking into it. Very best wishes, Zoe

ARoomSomewhere · 19/10/2018 08:05

I agree.
My ds has asd and dyspraxia so tries hard with table manners but the reality is shocking.
I do try but am aware he listens to Rules from School etc far more.
So a course for young people on the spectrum is worth considering, not just table manners but eye contact (am aware this is a trait) and introducing yourself. Much harder for this group so senstive outside input is something i would explore.

But yes in Schools ideally. Pigs might fly.

nottakenpersonally · 19/10/2018 08:14

Seconding the request for a course in Hampshire. Also for adults - I am realising that my manners are not as good as they could be and would really like to change!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/10/2018 08:18

Should be compulsory! We used to have a friend - no longer with us - whose table manners were so gross, we used to fight about who would not sit opposite him at the table. Talking with a very obvious mouthful,of food, mouth always open anyway, making pig noises, shovelling it in, ugh.

Zoebirri · 19/10/2018 08:53

Thank you @nottakenpersonally. We are looking in Hampshire (potentially Winchester) as a potential location for 2019.

Oakmaiden · 19/10/2018 09:26

Good luck with this, Zoe. I think it is a really interesting idea.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 19/10/2018 09:39

This looks great. The one for 8-12 year olds would be fantastic for my 9yo. Shame we're a bit too far away (Midlands).

Week 5 also looks really helpful... these are key skills useful right through to adulthood. Will be following you Zoe for more locations.

Week 5 – Emotional Wellbeing
Topics include: being assertive yet respectful, handling peer pressure, coping with bullies, managing exam stress and heavy workloads, simple techniques to help us cope with anxiety