By Delarita Ford
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

Elbows off the table. No chewing food with mouths open. Have a firm handshake. Establish eye contact. Make a good first impression.

There is a segment of the population aware of those social norms. However, being polite is not a skill people are born with --- so certified etiquette instructor SueAnn Brown, of Scottsdale, devotes time to train children on proper etiquette in various situations and settings.

She offers another round of her etiquette workshops and classes for teens and pre-teens beginning in January at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, 10755 N. 124 St. in Scottsdale.

“I was looking for something different for the summer,” Scottsdale resident Suesan Johnson said during a phone interview on what prompted her to enroll her child in etiquette classes.

“I always like to teach my kids something valuable during the summer.”

Although “tennis is great,” said the mother of three who enrolled one of her daughters in Ms. Brown’s etiquette class, she stated the importance of all of her daughters participating in etiquette training as an extracurricular activity with life-long benefits.

She added that she liked Ms. Brown’s teaching methods, which were not condescending but rather built children’s confidence enough to shake hands and look someone in the eye.

Calling the classes valuable, Ms. Johnson appreciated how students are willing to accept learning about manners from an expert on things such as elbows off the table when they may not readily accept hearing it from their mom, she said.

Likewise, Ms. Brown teaches teens, 13-18, in interactive college prep courses, preparing them for social and business situations they may face as young adults navigating the next phases of their lives.

They learn about college and job interviewing tips, posture, conversing, etiquette for social media, dating, dining and more.

Pre-teens, 9-12, learn important social skills including telephone etiquette, personal grooming and hygiene, writing thank you notes, common courtesies, and the like, followed by a special graduation ceremony at the end of the course.

Ms. Brown, who recently released a training video called “Teach your kid’s dining etiquette and table manners in four easy steps,” demonstrated being polite by promptly answering the following questions for the Independent:

• Is an etiquette rule broken if you tell your age for interested readers? Yes

• Are you an Arizona native; if not, where are you originally from?

I’m originally from upstate New York and moved to Arizona when I was six. I grew up in Paradise Valley and went to Chaparral High and I am a graduate of Phoenix College. Right after college, I went to Los Angeles to pursue my love for fashion at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

• What does your family consist of, ie: spouse, kids, pets, etc.?

I have a wonderful husband and a son that is in law school in San Diego. I have a gecko lizard (thanks to my son); two cats, Lilly Bell and a 19-pound Ragdoll cat named Max. I also have a show horse named Sunny. She is an American Saddlebred and I show her at WestWorld and ride every week. I’ve been riding horses for most of my life; it is my passion.

• Why was it important to teach etiquette classes to children?

I was concerned with what I was seeing with our society’s lack of compassion and respect for others. I wanted to make a difference and teaching children how to be kind and respectful to others is the key! Because of the digital technology in today’s world our children, teens and adults are losing their social skills and spending too much time on cell phones and social media. We need to start practicing face-to-face good old social manners!

So, I started my children and teen classes. I went on to create business etiquette programs for corporations. Many large companies and corporations like Marriott and Charles Schwab and even the San Francisco Giants minor league baseball team have also hired my company to educate and polish their employees’ social etiquette skills. I travel nationally, training all over the United States.

• How long have you been teaching those classes?

I have been teaching for almost seven years (I can’t believe it). Time flies when you love what you do.

• Where did you first learn etiquette and by whom?

I grew up in a different world where we had Home Economics in school that taught us how to sew and cook. My parents were sticklers about manners and my mother was a local actress and entertained frequently. My two sisters and I learned social skills and how to entertain at an early age.

• What are some etiquette basics people should know?

Make a great first impression when first meeting someone. Have a good handshake and smile. Practice the Golden Rule, “Treat others like you would like to be treated.” Use “Thank you,” “Please” and “You’re welcome” often. Be mindful of your cell phone when around others. Practice empathy for others and have good table manners.

Parents, please sit down to eat as much as you can at the dinner table. It is a great way to teach your children table manners. Also, limit your child’s screen time. Enroll them in sports as it will help them with their social skills working with others, good exercise and great for building confidence and leadership qualities.

• How do you view those whose etiquette is sub- or not up-to-par in public?

I try not don’t judge others. I just created an Adult Etiquette Workshop to help those who wish to help themselves.

• What do or did you do for a living?

I worked in the corporate world for many years in various executive positions. I spent eight years as a corporate trainer and workshop leader for an international image and skin care/cosmetic company. I am a licensed aesthetician and have worked as a make-up artist and taught classes at talent and modeling agencies.

• Anything else interesting that you would like to share?

I am proud to say that our classes do get results! Parents tell me that their children start to enjoy setting the dinner table for the family each night. After taking just one of my classes, parents immediately begin to see small changes and major improvements in their child’s behavior and manners at home. It is so rewarding to see the change in them when they first came into the classroom and when they leave the class. They leave feeling confident because they know how to act socially.

Visit: itsallaboutetiquette.com.

Delarita Ford
Reporter | Surprise
@AzNewsmedia

dford@iniusa.org

Starting my media career in 1994, rumor had it that newspapers would not exist much longer. Years later, the newspaper is still around and so is my passion for storytelling and capturing life’s moments for the community.