Just What is The Etiquette School of Birmingham? The Etiquette School of Birmingham is devoted to helping Alabama's adults and youngsters gain the confidence and build a personal image that will mean success throughout their personal and professional lives. Kathie Martin, APR, is founder and president of the school and a veteran of more than 30 years in the corporate world as a communications professional. The etiquette skills she teaches come from her professional and personal experience. A graduate of The American School of Protocol, she is the mother of a 12-year-old daughter and understands that learning etiquette is not a high priority in children's eyes The Etiquette School of Birmingham offers training to children and adults including social, business and travel etiquette as well as the etiquette of taking tea. Below is a sampling of the courses taught presently. Programs for Adults Let’s face it -- today's adults grew up in a different world than their parents. During the time we were growing up, etiquette seemed less important than it did for previous generations, so we either never received etiquette instruction or ignored it. Only now are we realizing the error of our ways.   To make matters worse, we have two types of etiquette to deal with: social and business.   When you eat out, what’s the proper way to eat bread? Spaghetti? Should you order a drink at lunch if the boss does? Should you open a door for the new female executive? Do you open a door for the boss’ wife? Must you wear hose? Just as we get the questions answered, more appear. That's because business etiquette is based on a different code of conduct than social etiquette and changes as business changes. Social etiquette changes much more slowly, but changes nonetheless.   The Etiquette School of Birmingham can help you fill in the blanks with business training for professionals and social etiquette for a new millennium.    -- SEMINARS for busy executives who want to make sure they are projecting the most professional image possible. These seminars can be conducted on-site for several employees of the same company, or outside the company with participants from several different companies. -- ONE-ON-ONE consultations with executives at a time and a location of the executive's choosing. -- IN A COLLEGE SETTING for soon-to-graduate students who wish to round out their instruction with etiquette skills that will help them project a positive image at job interviews and in social situations as well as give them a heads-up on business etiquette once they land that first job. -- SOCIAL ETIQUETTE instruction for dinner parties and supper club gatherings. Give your child the tools to handle social situations with ease. In today's fast-paced world, people who are able to handle social situations with poise have a built-in advantage as they achieve their life goals. The training for a child's successful future life begins early. As he or she learns academically and on the sports field, it's important not to miss other skills are often overlooked. Our programs increase children's awareness and self-confidence by teaching the crucial dining and social skills that play a large part in their development. We offer: Programs for Children -- TEA PARTIES for young ladies who want the experience of “taking” tea with all their dear friends. Whether it's a mother-daughter get-together or a child's birthday party, we'd be delighted to help make the experience one to remember. -- A CLASS ACT, a six-class course for girls and boys in 2nd through 5th grades. This course teaches the children how to make favorable first impressions with adults and other children, basic dining etiquette, conversation skills, and telephone etiquette. Includes a multi-course dining experience at a local restaurant. Small details make each student feel important. -- GIRLS' BEGINNING ETIQUETTE, a 10-class course for girls in 6th through 9th grades. This course also focuses on making positive first impressions, with special attention on personal presentation that includes skin care, posture and clothing choices. A visit to a local department store and a multi-course meal at an area restaurant are also part of this course. -- BOYS' ETIQUETTE, a 10-class course for 6h to 9th graders that's packed with new information for young men. In addition to covering introductions and new situations, the boys will learn all-important dining skills, telephone etiquette skills and the art of writing thank-you notes and accepting and extending invitations. They will learn general social etiquette skills and visit a clothing store for information on choosing appropriate clothing for various situations (the father is asked to attend). This course includes a multi-course meal at an area restaurant. -- INTERMEDIATE GIRLS' ETIQUETTE is the second 10-class course for girls in the 6th through 9th grades. Posture and walking, skin care and make-up, voice projection, the proper way to accept and extend invitations and discussion on what makes someone popular are class topics. Dining skills are continued with a restaurant dining experience and a speech. -- ADVANCED GIRLS' ETIQUETTE, another 10-class course, helps the student plan a wardrobe by pointing out fashion do's and don'ts, choosing clothing with natural fibers and in which colors to choose, using accessories to complete a look and the importance of responsibilities and attitude. We'll also go over the importance of exercise for mind and body and preparing for a job interview. HOW TO ENROLL FOR ADULT AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS: E-mail us at etiquetteschool@bellsouth.net. Ask us about additional scheduling opportunities for the summer and school calendar periods. Also inquire about our dining classes for corporate executives.   e-mail us at etiquetteschool@bellsouth.net Training provided by: The American School of Protocol®