(40~44) Table manners aren’t child’s play. Children who don’t learn to wait their turn for the potatoes or to chew with their mouths closed may face challenges later in life—especially in their careers. “The number one reason people lose a job is they don’t ‘play’ well with others,” said Mary Spencer, director of placement at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Three times a year, the school offers etiquette and interpersonal skills workshops for students preparing for job interviews. Lunch or dinner is often part of job interviews. The prospective employer not only takes note of what the candidate says, but also how he or she handles details of dinner—from selecting menu items to finessing conversation. “Table manners are considered shorthand for other aspects of etiquette,” said Margery Sinclair who teaches etiquette classes for both children and business clients. “If table manners are fine, the rest of their social skills are considered good as well. Etiquette refers to all of the rules governing behavior. Manners refers to one’s personal behavior.” If children develop good manners, they grow up with respect and consideration for others and tend to have more friends. As Spencer highlighted, “Children who grow up with a knowledge of etiquette will reap the benefit in their life.” Therefore, MSOE started offering its workshops on etiquette after getting feedback from business owners and students about skills that needed honing, such as what to wear to an interview or how to handle dinner. Stressing table manners from childhood through adulthood sounds a bit old-fashioned, but it is part of the lifelong education and pursuit of happiness, according to both those who teach etiquette and the professionals who validate its importance. Sinclair started teaching children’s etiquette about 15 years ago. “Parents are so glad I’m doing something like this,” she said. “I’m not doing anything that can’t be taught at home, but it is independent validation of what is taught at home.” That’s why Claire White enrolled her 8-year-old son in a recent etiquette class. Claire is excited that her son has helped her learn something she doesn’t know, such as the difference between European- and American-style eating, or how to do with napkins when leaving the table. A couple of years ago, parents started asking Sinclair whether she offered classes for grown-ups. Now, she mainly teaches adults through corporate etiquette dinners. As Sinclair argued, etiquette is coachable, yet it’s very sad when someone deserves a promotion based on work skills, but doesn’t get it because they lack social skills.