'Panache That Pays' Pays Off

Thursday, the 4th, students and faculty of SCC participated in the “Panache that Pays”, an etiquette dinner seminar which trains individuals for business dinners and formal parties. Hosted by Martha Toebben, head of the Etiquette Institute, this one hour dinner dress performed each portion of a meal one would encounter in a formal situation.

“I wanted to learn Etiquette of dinner, and how to establish my self in a business setting” said Patrick Payton, SCC student and participating diner.

Starting with the crudites (finger veggies), participants were shown the motions of which silverware to use during appetizers, which way to pass the bread, and how to hold and cut your entree meat. All of these skills are particularly important in how to present yourself as a man or women of refined taste.

“Yeah, it will be useful, when I get older. On business meetings, I can show off my abilities and knowledge of what to do or not do” said Elizabeth Ache, another SCC student at the event.

For the most part, the seats were filled with middle aged women, but several younger couples could be seen learning Etiquette together. All, however, were equally transfixed with the awkward processes of the meal.

The event cost $10 for faculty, $5 for students, and every seat was filled. This was the 7th annual Panache that Pays, and if the turnout is any clue, there will be an 8th.

For more information on Panache that Pays, or about the Etiquette Institute, you can log on to www.mariaeverding.com.