NCIS Mentor Teacher Ms. Roletti connected with Kelsey Waters from California Manners, an organization dedicated to teaching individuals about etiquette. Kelsey was able to join NCIS on Thursday, October 24 to provide students with the confidence to navigate any social situation with grace and ease.
According to their website, California Manners is "dedicated to empowering our neighbors in Southern California with the skills and confidence to navigate any social or professional situation with ease and grace."
Kelsey’s presentation was wide-ranging and gave specific details for proper etiquette. She began with a lesson on greeting and handshake – always with the right hand, web to web, firm, but never crushing . Followed by the importance of eye contact and taking a moment to note the color of the other person’s eyes to make certain of your contact.
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She then gave tips on how to remember a new acquaintance’s name. Her advice was to say their three times in context. For example, "Oh, Dolores, how wonderful to meet you. Dolores, may I introduce you to my friend, Chester? Chester, I want you to meet Dolores."
Lastly, conversation focusing on Who, What, Where, When, and Why questions. Moving beyond, “Where are you from?” To, “Tell me a favorite memory of where you grew up?” or “Tell us about a food you have enjoyed recently?” The trick is to connect people you are talking to with good and positive memories. This is not only more fun but also deepening the emotional connection.
The core of Kelsey’s presentation was the table – confidence, grace, and ease – and a lot of good manners and good advice for all those glasses, plates, bowls, and silverware. Kelsey shared that as you sit facing toward your table setting, think BMW (like the car) for Bread (the plate to your upper left), Meal (the plate centered in front), and Water (the glass to your upper right). Alternatively, solids to your left and liquids to your right. Your napkin should always be folded neatly in half, on your lap, with the open end toward you.
She then mentioned that when the bread bowl is placed in front of you, do not serve yourself first. First offer to the person on your left to take a piece, then the person on your right, and then you can take a piece before passing the bowl around the table to your right. Always pass to the right.
Mostly, dining is not about the food, it is about the conversation and the people you are with. Eat slowly, small bites, and savor, especially the good company you are sharing this experience with. Salt and Pepper are married and inseparable, always pass together, and do avoid humming or making yummy noises while you chew. NCIS students enjoyed learning about manners and proper etiquette and look forward to Cotillion!
