Minding our Manners for Our Future

When people say the word etiquette images of tea parties, fine china and pinkies raised in the air come to mind. However in 2011 when 4-H teaches etiquette we aren't talking about your great grandma's etiquette. We are working on things that will help our youth now and in the future. Day 2 of 4-H Summer Fun Etiquette Day Camp is no different. We worked with youth in a variety of areas and even gave them the chance to practice their new found skills.
The evening started with an ice breaker on the top 10 rudest dining behaviors. Things like chewing with your mouth open, flatulence, and cell phones at the table made that list. After having a little fun with that we broke into groups again and hit the rotating workshops. Tonight the 15 minute workshops involved everything that has to do with eating. Christy Strickland, Family and Consumer Science Agent worked with the youth on place settings. Knowing where cups, forks, plates, and other miscellaneous tale setting go can be tricky. Mande Swisher, Tourism Extension Agent, worked with the youth on handling the tricky nature of a round table setting. Sometimes people grab the wrong plate, napkin or fork. Knowing which is yours can be an art form and is as easy as making a b and a d to determine what belongs to who. Aggie Rogers, 4-H Program Associate, reviewed all forms of etiquette when they played the etiquette board game. When is too late to call someone? How do you handle a rude caller? They covered it all and had fun playing the board game. Kerrie Roach, Horticulture Extension Agent, played rude behavior charades with the group. Each one drew a rude behavior and acted it out while pretending to be at a dinner. The group had to guess what the rude behavior was. Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Extension Agent, worked with the youth on how to use utensils. Should you line up your peas on a knife and roll them into your mouth? Learning what utensil to use when, and how to hold them and use them is important because it sends a message about you.
After the workshops the youth had a chance to practice. They were assigned two to a table and had to set their tables and host adults at their table. For the most part this was their first time meeting the adults who came in to have dinner with them. It was the youth's job to introduce themselves and make sure the conversation continued during dinner while minding their manners at the table. After a wonderful dinner the adults reported that they were quite impressed with our youth and their manners. Especially those who spontaneously offered their hand and introduced themselves. They were also quite impressed with the level of conversation and how well behaved the entire group was. Our youth reported that they feel more comfortable introducing themselves to an adult and carrying on a conversation with them. They also said they just might go home and start setting the table for mom and dad.
We would like to thank our volunteers who came in to help with this program, our youth and especially our parents who felt that this would be a good opportunity for their child.