A New Etiquette Consultant in China and Why She Suggests You Try Crickets
At Manners To Go we are thrilled to announce a new etiquette consultant and teacher in Macau. Jenni Falkof is an American living in Macau and a new business owner, mother and teacher making a difference.
I recently trained and certified her to start teaching manners to children. Jenni has an interesting story and was such a pleasure to get to know. Of course, I asked many questions about her daily life in Macau. Read the full article below.
Moving abroad, to Asia no less, was incredibly daunting. Not only were there language barriers but the cultural differences were significant in addition to different perspectives on etiquette. We moved here when my daughter was 3 years old and she has golden blonde hair and light green eyes. Often times strangers would try and hold her, take pictures with her and touch her hair without asking. At first I was terrified but I learned over time, this was not considered inappropriate or strange to many who grew up here or in neighboring China. (Interestingly, I learned that anything gold is considered lucky. Many people believe touching my daughter’s hair will bring them good luck. I have an adult friend with beautiful blonde hair and it happens to her as well.)
Macau is a medium-sized city with international corporations and a strong economy, and it was quickly apparent the premium put on English language education here, even in local schools. However, language is not culture, and that is what truly excites me about this endeavor. By teaching manners, I hope to help bridge the cultural gap and enable my students to navigate cross-cultural relationships to create lifetime opportunities for them at home and abroad.
2. What do you think the young children of Macau have in common with American children?
Everything. It is a globalising society and children are truly at the frontlines. A local 7 year-old girl likes Frozen, Sofia the First and My Little Pony every bit as much as my daughter. I read about fidget spinners in the NY Times the same day I saw them for the first time at the local toy store down the street. And none of them want to do their homework.
3. What is the best advice you have given as a mom to another mother?
Trust your instincts.
4. What is one place everyone should experience with children?
There is no one place; instead, I recommend trying to experience everything as your child does. Experiencing the world through my daughter’s eyes has brought out my inner child and created a new wonder for even the most seemingly mundane things. For example, I have a path that I walk regularly for exercise, when my daughter got old enough I started taking her with me. She would ask questions and point things out that I so easily walked by almost every day without noticing. She really brings joy and wonder into life.
5. How do you like to start your day?
Oatmeal, coffee and the newspaper.
6. What is your favorite meal to serve to your children and why?
Prior to having my daughter, when my husband and I traveled, I was never an adventurous eater. He has always been willing to try anything and I have always been happy to watch. However, living in Asia, I quickly realized I would have to lead by example and have now tried and liked many things I never even considered food previously. (Jellyfish is one example that comes to mind.) Last year, my limits were truly tested while we were in Vietnam. We visited a cricket farm and at the end we sat down to a snack of fried crickets and spring rolls with crickets in them. My daughter really wasn’t sure about this, so much to my husband’s surprise and delight, I quickly picked up a spring roll and took a big bite before I could even think about it. My daughter followed suit and I can now proudly say we both ate crickets and I might even do it again. 7. What is your favorite book to read to children?
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
8. What advice would you give to your 21 year old self?
You cannot control everything. Learn to be present and appreciate the moment.
9. One woman you would like to be for the day?
Mother Nature
10. I can’t stop talking about….
Thailand. The people, the food, the landscape and especially the culture are all beautiful.
The journey of creating Manners To Go has become more than building a brand to me. The journey has become offering an opportunity for like-minded women and men to take control of their destiny and launch a business for the good of our society.
I can personally show you how to start and grow an etiquette business that allows you to do what you love and earn a profit while doing it.
Certified and Trained to Teach Manners to Children
Bernetta Brantley was a true inspiration. I looked forward to every training call that we had. She is funny, smart and so easy to relate to. I am thrilled to have her on the Manners To Go team. Congratulations Bernetta.
I asked Bernetta a few questions so that we might get to know her. Keep reading.
What excites me most about starting my own business teaching manners is that it’s a joy to be a part of the solution and not the problem. Often in today’s society, it appears as though manners and kindness have become a lost art. Our children are our future and it’s time to start with them so they can become productive members of society. Great manners open doors that may usually be closed.
What is the best advice you have given as a mom/grandmother to another mother?
It’s never to early to start. Always give hugs so that children that feel loved and become loving adults.
How do you like to start your day?
I like to start my day with prayer and a good cup of tea.
What advice would you give to your 21 year old self?
I would advise my 21 year old self to always do your best and find something that makes you come alive and do that. When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
One woman you would like to be for the day?
I would like to be Oprah Winfrey. I would like to experience the feeling of being able to help and make changes in people. There are many times I have the desire to Bless someone, but not always the resources to do so. I love being able to help others. There is an indescribable feeling in doing so.
Would you like to start a business teaching manners to children?
If you would like more information about teaching manners to children, click here for more details:
Over the years there have been so many requests to “shadow” me in person as I teach manners to children. We are thrilled to announce the opportunity to attend a “live” training. That’s right. You can spend two days with me in New York City. You and me. This is a private instruction with the two of us. This is your time, time spent focusing on you, your questions, your start up and marketing plan. If you read the testimonials from other Manners To Go licensees, you will understand that you receive more than you can possibly imagine when you choose our training and certification program. Additionally, you will enjoy the pulse and energy of the most dynamic and powerful city in the world.
Consider this one time incredible experience…..( read on):
Premier Etiquette Training and Certification Program by Manners To Go
Our mornings will start early over breakfast to discuss the business portion of your immersion program. Then we will head to an exclusive boutique hotel on Madison Avenue to teach a small group of children. The first session will focus on social and life skills. Next, we take the children to lunch to teach table manners. After a quick refresh, we will spend time focusing on more aspects of the business. Then we will head to a chic French restaurant in SOHO for dinner. On Day two, you will have gain more experience and the opportunity to teach a similar program as the day before.
How This Works
Set a time to speak with me. Let’s get to know each other by phone. I want to hear about you and your passions and intentions. What are your dreams? Why are you excited about owning your business?
Schedule dates that work for your travel to New York City. Payment is required at this time and must be paid in full to reserve your training and certification.
The materials will be downloaded prior to your travel to New York City. This gives you the opportunity to become familiar with the curriculum.
The Cost of the 2-Day Immersion
$3900
Here is What You Receive
The Manners To Go™ curriculum
Easy-to-use lesson plans that state the objective, activities
List of items needed and room set-up for each topic
Suggested dialogue for the teacher to follow along while teaching
Role-playing activities for each lesson
Pages for coloring (ages 4-6)
Ready to use handouts that are beautifully illustrated and age appropriate
Building this brand and launching my own business has allowed me so many opportunities to travel to faraway and exciting places. From Portland, Oregon to the Middle East, I have taught social skills and confidence to thousands. You can do this, too.
So that you can learn more about Cynthia, we asked a few questions about her life on the Cayman Islands and why she is excited to start her business teaching manners to children.
I am convinced that good manners, combined with active listening, lead to a more rewarding experience in any setting.
2.
Tell us about living in the Cayman Islands
We are a British Colony, a melting pot of cultures and beliefs. Being one of the top financial centers in the world, life seems laid back, but can actually get quite hectic!
3.
If you were asked by a family traveling to the Cayman Islands for the first time, “what to do with their time”, what would you recommend?
Leave your cell phone in your suitcase, swim with the stingrays, check out an outdoor activity with your kids or take a picnic basket to any small public beach.
4.
What have you learned from your children?
Patience and resilience.
5.
What is your ideal morning?
Reading a newspaper from cover to cover or discussing world events over brunch with like-minded friends.
6.
What was your favorite book to read to your children when they were growing up?
After successfully teaching thousands of children to have good manners, my deepest desire is that I will be able to help you do the same.
Manners To Go is a national brand that gives you the edge and a very fast start to your business and class instruction. The material is witty, contemporary and beautifully illustrated.
Join Manners To Go for Charm School at the Eloise Boutique
Charm School is back. Join me at the Eloise Boutique on September 12, 2016 for “Simply Charming”. Good manners never go out of style.
Tea with Manners To Go and Eloise
As seen on the Today Show Website, “Sweetest Tea Parties for Mom’s and Kids”
Tea, manners and Eloise certainly go together. Join us as we sip tea, sit like a lady and learn to interrupt only if we must. At this event, children and their mostly companions, through role playing and games will master:
Eye contact
Handshakes
How to introduce themselves and others
How to hold a teacup
How to use a fork
How to eat a scone and a finger sandwich
Where to place their napkin
How to sit like a lady
What is a nosy question
Don’t forget to reserve your spot. Oh, and Eloise says to “charge it please”!
Here are the details:
Date: September 12, 2016
Time: 2-4pm
Reservations are a must: Call 212-546-5460 to reserve your spot/table
This is a mother/child event. Feel free to bring family, friends and of course a mostly companion.
Children love attending programs from Manners To Go™. The instructions are upbeat and the focus is on learning in a fun creative manner, rather than one that is judgmental or stuffy. In a Manners To Go™ session, a child learns the action, why it is done, and how it feels. The outcome is a confident and happy child. Studies have shown that children are more receptive to etiquette instruction by a third party.
Through games and role playing, your children will learn eye contact, a good handshake, how to be a good friend and much more. The Manners To Go program encompasses a combination of modalities (ex. visual, auditory and tactile) needed by children to enhance their ability to learn social skills.
If you are concerned about your child’s impression away from home, or you just want to offer your children the opportunity to be extremely confident in every situation, this program with Eloise at The Plaza is guaranteed to make a difference.
So that you may get to know Michele, I asked her a few questions. Continue reading to learn more about this Texas mom and her desire to start her own business.
I have always had a love for teaching children and young adults. Whether I was in undergrad as a speech pathologist helping children learn basic social skills or as a pharmaceutical manager developing young adults. I recognized that manners, just simple social skills, are a vital component to the success of a person as a whole. There is a need in our society and my area (Houston) for manners instruction and I wanted to meet that need.
2.
As a mom, what is your most favorite time of the day? My favorite time of the day is the morning with a cup of Community coffee. The kids slowly wake up and make it downstairs to sit and talk and on occasion and ask for coffee milk to drink with mom.
3.
If your day had one extra hour, how would you spend it?
At this moment in life one extra hour in the day would probably be spent driving to soccer, cheer or dance. I would appreciate that hour though because I know that very soon I will have no one to drive anywhere.
4.
What is/was your favorite book to read to your children?
The Little Red Hen: Why? Other than being able to create all types of character voices, I love that it teaches children the virtues of work ethic and personal initiative.
I look forward to seeing children, tweens and teens learn a new skill that they can take through life and use to develop a better “self”.
Learn More About Becoming Certified to Teach Manners to Children
If you are interested in starting your own business teaching manners to children, I invite you to have a conversation. Whether we decide to work together or not, I am confident our call will be full of insights.
Please pick a time that is most convenient for you. I look forward to our call.
Lisa Richey provides etiquette programs to businesses, schools, and individuals.
