Perfectly Polished : News Releases

Students attend leadership seminar at Gwinnett Center

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Alex Gonzales of Shiloh High school shakes hands with another high school student during an Etiquette of Leaders seminar given by Debra Lassiter of Perfectly Polished, The Etiquette School in Athens. Students learned several different dances to help illustrate how to use manners correctly and how body language is important for first impressions. The seminar was one of 11 given at the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team summit on Thursday at the Convention Center at the Gwinnett Center.

Good manners matter, officials learn

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Pity the poor uncouth politician.

He says “hi” instead of “hello” which administers a bone-crusher handshake. He flails his hands when he talks. He finishes his dinner roll in two bites and he wears his napkin in his collar. And for the life of him, he can’t remember names.

Uncouth may be popular at home, but when it comes to courting new business – especially foreign business accustomed to more formal interaction – his manners can leave a bad aftertaste.

So when Debra Lassiter, owner of “Perfectly Polished” in Athens told 45 city official from all over Georgia, “Even if it is the toughest piece of meat you’ve ever had in your life, you so not saw” – she had their rapt attention.

An effervescent etiquette expert who fancies the expression “Oh, my stars,” Lassiter spent six hours Saturday going over the do’s and dont’s of eating, body language and conversation.

Trained at the Protocol School of Washington, Lassiter teaches “Business Diplomacy and Protocol,” part of the 48th annual May’s Day Converence, which ends today at the downtown Hilton. The three-day affair is put on by the Georgia Municipal Association, with help from the Carl Vinson Institue of Government at UGA.

Attendees sat through dry discourses about personnel law, lobbying and risk management. But in Lassiter’s class, they made amusing discoveries about sophisticated schmoozing.

“I didn’t realize they had a corkscrew butter remover,” remarked Dahlonega Councilman Bill Scott. It’s actually called a butter pick.

Lassiter’s survey of manners included distinguishing a fish fork from a strawberry fork; the “roll in, roll out” method of eating; and how to hold a galss, a plate and a napkin and still shake hands.

“The only acceptable form of touching in the U.S. is the right-to-right handshake,” she said. And when shaking hands avoid the “bone-crusher,” the “fingertip” and the “glove” – a two handed-style that ministers tend to like.

Braselton Mayor Pat Graham confessed to the group she sometimes had to resort to the glove for defensive purposes.

“I have an elected official who is a hugger,” Graham said. “The way I handle him is with a glove handshake.”

Politicians get enthusiastic about their cities. But Lassiter cautioned them not to gesticulate.

“If you talk with your hands,” she said, “people don’t remember 93% of what you say.”

Fred Boykin, a city commissioner in Decatur, admitted he’s a gesticulator. And an interrupter. And he likes to sprint to the conclusion.

“I tend to do a lot of the things she said not to do,” he admitted. “To me, it shows how lackadaisical we’ve become in our culture.”

Councilman L.J. Williams, who drove more than five hours from St. Mary’s on the coast to attend the conference, said proper etiquette is the polish on the presentation.

“We want to be right in every respect,” he said.

That includes preparing to sip a beverage at dinner.

You always bring the napkin to your mouth and blot,” Lassiter said. “Then you are free to drink. If you are eating crusty bread, you don’t want that in your glass.”

And when it comes to entering and exiting a seat, always go right. No one was more surprised to hear that than Griffin City Commissioner Bill Landrum. For years, he said, he’s been going left.

It’s a wonder there hasn’t been an accident.

Published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday, January 23, 2006.

Breaking Down the Steps

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 04:00:00 GMT

No doubt about it, we are judged by first impressions, and those who know how to present a good first impression are heads above those who don’t.

That’s why more than 60 4th grade students at East Jackson Elementary School are learning the essentials of good manners each Monday morning.

East Jackson Elementary Principal Jennifer Norris, her PTO and her staff have supported the idea of preparing 4th graders this year. Next year these same students will get a second course while the 4th graders go through the basics.

“We understand how important manners are in helping students get ahead,” Mrs. Norris said. “I’m delighted we have this chance.”

Perfectly Polished, Inc., The Etiquette School program is a copyrighted program taught by Cindy Haygood out of Athens. The program was first developed in Washington D.C., as “the Protocol School” to teach children of diplomats and legislators the basics of good manners. The program was an instant success and has spread across the country. West Jackson Middle School also has a similar, abbreviated program, but this is more intensive.

Norris said. “I’m delighted we have this chance.”

“At the end, we’ll have a banquet, and we are looking forward to seeing how far they have come,” said Gail Elrod, the assistant principal.

Mrs. Haygood pointed out that the classes teach leadership skills as well as friendship skills and personal development. Grandmothers who in the future receive elegant notes of thanks from their grandchildren for presents may be in shock, but it will also help young people patch up the difference in cases of mistakes that hurt another. All are good life skills. Students also learn how to introduce people to each other, and the proper way to shake hands.

Mrs. Norris said that three classes are getting the advantage so far. Mrs. Norris participates in one, Mrs. Evans participates in one and Chris Wren, the school counselor, participates in a third, then they are prepared to ensure that students are practicing what they learn in the halls and grounds of the school.