Red Carpet Manners, Dating Etiquette & Coming of Age Celebrations

From Oscar Night to Your Own Big Night...
 
               February 2009
 
 "MITZVAH MANNERS"
 
 February 22, 2009
4pm to 7pm
A Cow Jumped Over the Moon 
 
Torah
 

The Bar or Bat Mitzvah is an important coming of age ritual in a     Jewish child's life.  The "Mitzvah Manners" course is designed to assist the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child with everything they need to know in order to shine with grace and ease on their special day.  Jewish culture, customs and proper etiquette are explored as they relate to this time- honored celebration.  In addition to the etiquette instruction, the program includes a 45 minute ballroom dance lesson emphasizing the Jewish dances, as well as a formal, multi-course tutorial covering all    aspects of the table and dining experience.  Only a few spaces left.  Click here to enroll now!  

  
"Every Party Dilemma Has A Solution All Its Own"
 
Party Planning
 
If you are in the midst of planning your child's coming of age celebration, a recent article published in the Jewish Journal can help you avoid several party dilemma's and provide you with on spot solutions. Click here to read complete article!
"The Boychick Affair"
 
  
Boychick Affair
 
If you're in the mood for a hilarious interactive show, we hear "The Boychick Affair", about the Bar Mitzvah of Harry Boychick, is a fun satire aimed at anyone planning a celebration with family and friends.  Mention Beverly Hills Manners and receive $10 off your admission. For more information, please visit www.boychickaffair.com.
 
ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR DATING SUCCESS!

Dating

Dating can be quite a challenge, especially when modern technologies lure us away from connecting with others.  Now more than ever it is important to nurture old fashioned human interaction.   Use these 8 etiquette tips to help you achieve dating success in any social situation.

1. Remember first impressions set the tone.  Take the time to make sure you are well-groomed from head to toe before leaving the house.  Don't forget to dress appropriately for the occasion.  

2. Enter the room with poise and confidence.  Stand up straight with good posture and your head held high.  Scan the room briefly and walk slowly and assuredly.  Watch others as they immediately take notice and approach you.

3. Brush up on current events.  Read a national newspaper, go online or browse your local cultural calendar.  It is most  appealing to speak with someone who is well-read and well-rounded. 

4. Pay attention to personal space.  An arm's length or 18 inches is the appropriate distance one should keep when conversing with others.  
 
5. Listen, be interested and ask thoughtful questions.  Try not to be too self-absorbed.   Instead, take a moment to find out what is unique and wonderful about the other person. 
 
6. Use proper table manners.  Refrain from picking at your hors d'oeuvres or talking with your mouth full.  The proper hold for alcoholic beverages is the following: white wine & champagne by the stem, red wine by the base, beer in a glass, not bottle.
 
7. Be discreet with your personal information.  You do not need to offer your entire life story in the first meeting.  Remain a bit mysterious to heighten the desire and secure an additional date.
 
8. Wear a good sense of humor and a smile.  It will help you appear younger and make you the life of the party!
 
Greetings! 

February is a month with countless opportunities to take us out of our normal routine and thrust us into celebration mode.  Valentine's Day is a perfect holiday to break out of your comfort zone and refine your dating techniques.  We recently enjoyed an opportunity to share our top "Etiquette Tips for Dating Success" with the attendees of the "Singles Mingle" event at Madame Chocolat in Beverly Hills.  Whether single or married, these practical morsels of advice are sure to enhance your next dating experience.  While the adults are busy brushing up on their dating skills, older children may wish to attend our upcoming "Mitzvah Manners" class on Sunday, February 22nd at upscale Kosher restaurant A Cow Jumped Over the Moon.  This unique program is designed for anyone about to embark on a coming of age celebration.  Parties, in general, are a welcome respite to our very hectic lives.  Our "Intermediate Course: The Party Perfect" on Saturday, February 28th at McCormick & Schmick's walks younger children through every aspect of the party ensuring future gracious hosts and hostesses.  Awards season has arrived and with it we have compiled our "Red Carpet Manners" list of what to look for whether viewing the awards shows at home or strolling down the red carpet in person.   Coming up next month, we'll bring you detailed information on our adult programs as well as our second season of "Manners Camp".  This year we are offering two one-week sessions in June and July with manners themes and accompanying activities you will not find anywhere else all under the same roof!  To learn more about these and other programs and events, please visit our website at  www.beverlyhillsmanners.com or contact [email protected].
 
We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Very best,

Lisa Gach�

"INTERMEDIATE COURSE: THE PARTY PERFECT"trees
Saturday, February 28th 11am to 2pm  McCormick & Schmick's
 
Children will spend an entire lifetime attending parties or acting as future hosts and hostesses of their own affair.  This three hour program for children ages 6-12 takes an in-depth look into the anatomy of a party through the lens of manners.  From the moment the date is chosen to the final thank you note, no detail is left uncovered.  These practical tips and advice will ensure your child is as wonderful a guest as they are a host. Program highlights include: Ballroom Dance Instruction, Appropriate Party Attire & Behavior, Stationary, Invitations & RSVP's, Thank You Notes, Punchbowl Etiquette, The Art of Conversation and Gift Giving & Receiving.  In addition to the instruction, the program includes a formal 5-course dining tutorial covering all rules of table and dining etiquette.  Click here to enroll now!
"Giving Thanks: The Right Way"
 
MomLogic.com
 
Beverly Hills Mannerslends it's expertise to MomLogic on the delicate issue of thank yous.  Modern technology has made it more difficult than ever to determine when it is appropriate to send an email or a handwritten thank you. In some cases, the answer is both!  Click here for complete article!
RED CARPET MANNERS
 
trees
February is the height of awards season and we have compiled our list of essential etiquette tips to help our celebrities on the red carpet and during the awards!
 

Dress appropriately and groom yourself for the occasion.  Too much cleavage (Selma Hayek) and see-through clothing (Renee Zellweger) is a distraction.  Clean up your act and take a good long look in the mirror (Mickey Rourke), it's time to trim your hair and your nails.   

Keep your breath fresh.  Awards day adrenaline coupled with nerves can lead to bad breath (Hugh Grant is known to top the list).  Arm yourself with plenty of mints to freshen breath so you will feel comfortable getting up close and personal for an interview or greeting a fellow attendee with a kiss. 
 

Be gracious.  Stop for interviews, sign autographs (Will Ferrell was named the worst offender by Autograph Magazine) wave to the fans and be thankful the public appreciates your talent and hard work.

 

Refrain from cutting into someone else's interview. (Gary Busey when he intruded on Jennifer Garner's interview at last year's Oscars).  Let everyone have their own moment in the spotlight.

 

Write and rehearse your acceptance speech. Prepare a few words on paper so that you do not forget to thank the people who are most important in your life (SJP when she forgot to thank hubby Matthew Broderick at the Golden Globes several years ago).
 

Leave the drama to the big screen.  If you win, keep it short and sweet.  Running into the audience and standing on top of the furniture is a bit much (Cuba Gooding Jr.'s acceptance speech for Jerry Maguire).
   

Know all the names of the nominees in your category.  In the event you win the nomination, you will want to make sure you do not forget the names of your fellow nominees (Kate Winslet almost forget to mention Angelina Jolie's name at the Golden Globes).
 

Don't chew gum.  Or at least remove it from your mouth before going onstage to accept your award.  Chewing and talking just doesn't look pretty (Adele at the Grammy's).

 

Stay sober.  Slurring your words and/or making awkward pauses while reading the telepromter (Whitney Houston at the Grammy's) is a dead giveaway that you're under the influence and that is simply unacceptable!

 Coming This Spring / Summer 2009
 
Announcement
 
Adult Classes
The ART of Conversation, Dating Manners and Etiquette Skills for Career Success
 
 Summer Programs
Manners Camp I - June 22-26th
Manners Camp II - July 27-31st
National Good Manners Day USA - Friday, August 21st
Beverly Hills Manners™
310.276.9078
310.276.9088
www.beverlyhillsmanners.com
[email protected]