Post by Marc LeVine on Feb 17, 2007 14:55:32 GMT -5
WHEN MANNERS REALLY MATTER
Freehold Township school offers people lessons in proper etiquette
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/13/07
BY MICHELLE GLADDEN
STAFF WRITER
Maria Joyce has established a business based on one simple concept: Don't walk on other people's grass.
In 2002, the former marketing representative created The Protocol School of New Jersey, a Freehold Township-based firm that provides etiquette training. Although initially designed for school-age children, the firm now trains adults in the hospitality industry as well as those in the corporate and government sectors.
The word etiquette literally means keep off the grass, Joyce recently explained to a class of boys 7 to 12 years old. The word's origin came from King Louis XIV, who, through an official decree, instructed his dukes and duchesses to obey the signs, called "etiquets," in his garden. Later, the word was applied to a ticket for court functions that included rules on where to stand and what to do, Joyce explained.
"A gentleman is someone who is kind, thoughtful and polite," she said. "We shouldn't step on other people's grass. We shouldn't insult them or make them feel uncomfortable."
Joyce, 50, said many people are living fast-paced lives today, but that does not mean losing one's good manners.
"I am passionate about giving the knowledge that I have learned back," she said. "My mother traveled to over 65 countries, and I learned a lot about diversity and customs from her."
Business clients are schooled in the proper handshake — three shakes, not too firm but not too weak — to repeat someone's name back to them when they are introduced and to never interrupt people when they are speaking.
Adults are also taught proper dining skills — which utensils to use when, where to place their silverware when they are done eating, and to bring their food to their mouth instead of leaning in to eat it.
"She's giving people the tools to be in any social situation," said Athena Toto, outreach program coordinator for American Hospitality Group. Toto said that after hiring Joyce to conduct a seminar for 60 employees from the group's five restaurants, she decided to work with Joyce to develop other programs to be held at the restaurants for the community.
As a mother of two teenage children, Joyce continues to focus on programs for children. The company's program, "Modern Manners for Boys," aims to teach its students through what Joyce called a recipe for good behavior. The boys are taught not only how to properly introduce themselves to others but also about telephone and conversation etiquette.
"I think this is a good age to learn the proper way to speak to people," said Lisa Williams of Manalapan, mother of an 8-year-old who participated in a 2 1/2-hour program held Saturday at Brookdale Community College's Western Monmouth Campus in Freehold Township.
"I don't think kids today have any indication of this," said Yakov Fain of Manalapan, father of a 12-year-old who took part in the program. "It's a must for any educated person to learn how to behave."
Freehold Township school offers people lessons in proper etiquette
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/13/07
BY MICHELLE GLADDEN
STAFF WRITER
Maria Joyce has established a business based on one simple concept: Don't walk on other people's grass.
In 2002, the former marketing representative created The Protocol School of New Jersey, a Freehold Township-based firm that provides etiquette training. Although initially designed for school-age children, the firm now trains adults in the hospitality industry as well as those in the corporate and government sectors.
The word etiquette literally means keep off the grass, Joyce recently explained to a class of boys 7 to 12 years old. The word's origin came from King Louis XIV, who, through an official decree, instructed his dukes and duchesses to obey the signs, called "etiquets," in his garden. Later, the word was applied to a ticket for court functions that included rules on where to stand and what to do, Joyce explained.
"A gentleman is someone who is kind, thoughtful and polite," she said. "We shouldn't step on other people's grass. We shouldn't insult them or make them feel uncomfortable."
Joyce, 50, said many people are living fast-paced lives today, but that does not mean losing one's good manners.
"I am passionate about giving the knowledge that I have learned back," she said. "My mother traveled to over 65 countries, and I learned a lot about diversity and customs from her."
Business clients are schooled in the proper handshake — three shakes, not too firm but not too weak — to repeat someone's name back to them when they are introduced and to never interrupt people when they are speaking.
Adults are also taught proper dining skills — which utensils to use when, where to place their silverware when they are done eating, and to bring their food to their mouth instead of leaning in to eat it.
"She's giving people the tools to be in any social situation," said Athena Toto, outreach program coordinator for American Hospitality Group. Toto said that after hiring Joyce to conduct a seminar for 60 employees from the group's five restaurants, she decided to work with Joyce to develop other programs to be held at the restaurants for the community.
As a mother of two teenage children, Joyce continues to focus on programs for children. The company's program, "Modern Manners for Boys," aims to teach its students through what Joyce called a recipe for good behavior. The boys are taught not only how to properly introduce themselves to others but also about telephone and conversation etiquette.
"I think this is a good age to learn the proper way to speak to people," said Lisa Williams of Manalapan, mother of an 8-year-old who participated in a 2 1/2-hour program held Saturday at Brookdale Community College's Western Monmouth Campus in Freehold Township.
"I don't think kids today have any indication of this," said Yakov Fain of Manalapan, father of a 12-year-old who took part in the program. "It's a must for any educated person to learn how to behave."