For teaching manners, catch them young

Gurgaon: Residents of the city need not worry if they do not know how to set a table, use the cutlery, hold a wine glass or how to sit in a car, for there are grooming and finishing schools to help them be better equipped in society, irrespective of their age.
Prerna Srivastava, a member of Lifelong Learning institute, in Sushant Lok I, who educates women above the age of fourteen, strongly emphasized that etiquettes, irrespective of place, are important to survive in this world.“It is a smooth transition from what you are and what you can become. Self-development and personal grooming are important to step out in this world confidently. Young girls and women play various roles in life, be it professional or personal, hence grooming in etiquette, manners, beauty, understanding relationships, etc. are very necessary,” she said.
People are trained in table setting, etiquette and manners, personal grooming, multi-cuisine cooking and eating, using cutlery, answering the telephone, party manners and for that matter even “dealing with awkward situations”. The training fee ranges from Rs 11,000 onwards. Many parents send their children to such institutes to learn the necessary etiquettes.
Sushil Kumar, who is conducting summer classes in table manners and etiquette classes for children, in M-8, Institutional Area, old DLF colony, Sector 14, said, “We teach children in the age group of six to 16 to become considerate and respect others’ convenience. We teach them courtesy and social etiquettes necessary to live in a harmonious society.”
Saloni, housewife and mother of a 12-year-old daughter, said, “If we train them young, one can rest assured that they will know the do’s and don’ts of social manners.” Parents believe that early training and grooming helps children and people settle better in life and its way.”
However, not every parent shares the same view. Monica, a mother, believes that etiquettes are to be taught at home, not in professional classes. She said that etiquettes can be built by being kind, polite, respectful and considerate of other people.
On the other hand, Kumar has a different take on the issue. He said that one should never doubt their child’s abilities. Children learn from the elders, hence it is the duty of adults to behave in the most courteous way possible.