What is Etiquette? And what Elysium Finishing School Can Teach You?

Are technical skills more important than social skills?

Etiquette consists of the prescribed forms of conduct in polite society, and governs correct behavior of individuals, group of people or a group, it also means the good manners of an individual in his society or with his friends, family, relatives, connections or acquaintances.

Etiquette in social courtesies includes respect for friends and family, polite words and phrases, public group behavior, punctuality, walking, doors, cars, steps, standing, sitting. 

Etiquette for proper introductions and greeting include formal and informal, introducing yourself and others, remembering names, eye contact, hand shake, posture.

Etiquette in proper form and addressing means the way to use the proper title in any given situation. (Mr., Miss, Mrs., Master, Sir, Doctor), meeting important people, your parents friends, people with disability.

Etiquette in telephone manners shows the proper way to speak on the telephone, your voice, respectful greetings, messages, answering machines, call waiting, wrong numbers. 

Etiquette for keeping in touch includes correspondence, invitations formal and informal, and thank you notes.

Etiquette in international protocol will answer such questions as: what are the guidelines when it comes to international gift giving?, 
what body postures should one avoid when traveling overseas?, how many hours should one spend doing research on another country/culture?, how do the Japanese present business cards?, how far away should one stand when greeting someone from the Middle 
East?, what are some international travel tips for business women?

The Internet etiquette, or what we call today netiquette, would help you find answers to such new questions in your life like: what are the rules associated with e-mail etiquette?, why is e-mail etiquette so important?, are executives just lazy or are they totally unaware of technology etiquette?, should cell phones be banned from public places?, can an executive e-mail a thank you note?, when can one use a speakerphone?.

Etiquette for entertaining, hosting and being a proper guest deal with guest lists, invitations, seating charts, place cards, menus, toasts, serving and the art of conversation. 

Etiquette for the dining skills means the manners and etiquette for a formal and informal dining situation (Napkins, silverware, soup, bread & butter, meat and fish, fingerbowls), serving, handling accidents, eating various foods, tipping and setting a complete formal dining table.

Etiquette for a touch of beauty includes inner and outer beauty, your attitude, your image (make your first impression a good one), posture and poise, personal grooming,  hair and personal hygiene, graceful walking, sitting properly, fashion finesse, beauty makeover.

Etiquette in traveling, whether with your companions or with your parents, it includes safety precautions, make an inventory of clothes and put half of them back, travel light, respect the dress code, be kind to people who wait on you, do not roam away in crowds, carry identification. 

Etiquette in business will help you answer these questions: what is etiquette and why is it important in today’s business arena?, does dressing “business casual” affect one’s attitude in the workplace?, what are some tips to remember when dealing with angry customers?.

Etiquette at a party shows how you can politely end a conversation and move on to someone else?. It will answer such questions as: should women and men shake hands the same way?, what are some handshake styles to avoid?, what are some techniques for remembering names?.

Etiquette will also help you answer some sensitive questions while planning to entertain or to be entertained like: what foods should a person avoid when dining with clients/peers?, is dining etiquette important when interviewing for a job?, what are the top five most common dining mistakes?, what if you accidentally eat someone’s bread?, how should you handle the situation?, what are the seating guidelines when hosting a party?, what are the rules when it comes to toasting?, what are the silent signals of napkin etiquette?, what is the difference between the American and the Continental style of
eating?, 

When dining with a client, there are some etiquette guidelines to 
remember if you want to appear polished and professional. If you ask a client to lunch, it is your responsibility to choose the location. Arrive early, not just on time. Don't order anything or touch the 
glasses. Everyone in your party should arrive to a pristine table. 
Leave your napkin on the table until everyone is present. Give the maitre d'hotel your credit card number and signature before your 
guests arrive, this will eliminate the argument of who takes care of 
the bill. Figure out the seating arrangements ahead of time. Give your guest of honor the best seat in the house, usually the chair facing a nice view. Ask your server to serve the guest of honor first and to serve you last. Let your guests select their menu choices before you make your own. If your budget permits expensive items, make suggestions to your guest. Never let a guest eat a course alone. If your guest orders an appetizer, you should also. If your guest declines dessert, so should you.

Etiquette for modern bride also exists, for example for questions like: how long do I have to send thank you notes? One of the answers can be: if you can manage it in four to six weeks, so much the better. Remember, they should always be handwritten, and always on note paper, but of course, if you are really smart, you will write notes as you receive each gift.

Another question may be: How do we thank a guest for their monetary gift? the answer can be a simple "thank you for the gift", (never mention the amount), and tell the guest(s) what it is going to be used for (new furniture, savings, holiday etc). The most important thing is to thank the guest for being there and sharing your special day.

Etiquette is so many other correct manners that we have to adopt during various situations in our daily life.

- N.S. What about this year's program, I mean when the next sessions will start and at what date and when students can apply to join the school?

- F. D. W: Students can apply from now for the next session that will begin on October 7th this year, and we are prepared to receive more students from all over the world for the next session  which will start in January 2003.

- N.S.  Is there a limit on the number of students who would like to enroll for Elysium Finishing School various sessions?

- F.D.W. This is an important question, we request potential students to contact us as soon as possible to book their seats and fix their date of arrival to start the course, as the maximum students for 8 weeks session is limited to 30, however, up to 50 students can be accommodated for the 4 and 6 week course. 

- N.S. How to apply to the Elysium Finishing School?

- F.D.W. Well, the potential candidates planning to join the school should first send us a photocopy of their valid passport, their educational, professional or achievements background information, languages spoken, parents / tutor / guardian or sponsor's information and the objectives of joining the Elysium finishing School. We need these information for evaluation and assessment. Once we consider that the potential candidate is eligible to join the school, then we will require her to fill the application form after accepting our rules are conditions. I have to add here that the information provided to the school becomes 100% confidential property of Elysium and will not be used for any other purposes.

- N.S. What is the next step after the evaluation, and what about the visa for overseas students?

- F.D.W. Once a student is eligible for admission, we request her to complete the application form which is acted upon as it is received.
Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by a return letter by post or fax. Applicant will receive notice within 14 days of an acceptance letter or a letter declining the application. As for the visa for Australia, Elysium will arrange the forms to be sent directly to the applicant upon acceptance.

N.S. Do you have a message to potential candidates and their parents?

- F.D.W. Elysium Finishing School is a paradise for your loved ones to learn the essence of proper style, etiquette and manners, to embrace the essence of propriety protocol and learn to recognize the responsibilities of global social and environmental issues. Our course will start for you at the Elysium Finishing School in Brisbane but will never finish in your life and in your daily relations, whether among your family, your guests, your corporate or during your social events. "Your style will make the difference, Elysium Finishing School can do it!"