For college seniors with an eye toward graduation, the letters BMW might conjure up images of a shiny, new graduation gift rather than a well-appointed table. And you might think that the word “etiquette” would have these same students turning up the tunes on their I-pods. But you’d be surprised to learn that etiquette consultant, Jodi R. R. Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, has been speaking to sell out crowds on college campuses across the country. When asked why students are so interest in something (etiquette) seen as old fashion, Ms. Smith replied “because these students know that manners do matter.”

For almost a decade now, Smith has been working with college & university dining services and campus career centers to enlighten students on soft people skills, which are so critical to life-long success. We can all think of people we know in our own social circles whose manners could use a little polishing. When we are with someone who chews with their mouth open, who gobbles their food, or who blows their nose in a linen napkin, all we notice is their bad behavior. Smith often notes to attendees, “When someone has good manners, we notice the person; when someone has bad manners, that is all we notice.”

During her two-hour programs, students are taught how to handle a business meal from the moment of their arrival until the check is paid and the client is escorted to the door. As one client puts it, “Our students leave these programs feeling empowered and prepared.” Some of the students’ favorite etiquette tips from Smith’s programs are:

• Simon Says: A meal is just like the children’s game “Simon Says.” First you must figure out who Simon is for the meal. Simon is your host or hostess. Until Simon starts, you must wait.

• BMW: When looking at your table real estate, it is arranged in the order BMW; moving from left to right, Bread plate, Meal, and Water/Wine. Once you know what is yours, you can avoid eating someone else’s roll or drinking someone else’s wine. As for which utensils, you are safe moving from the outside in towards your plate.

• Forks From Across the Pond: There are two styles of dining; Continental and American. The Continental is considered the higher level since the fork and knife do not change hands. Once shown how the fork is properly held in the left hand, most students can master the method before the end of the meal.

• Potty Permission: As adults, if you need to leave the table, simply say “excuse me.” There is no need to tell everyone at the table when you need to use the bathroom, especially during a meal.

• Salt & Seasoning: One must always taste the food before adding salt and pepper. To season one’s food before trying it is an insult to the chef. Additionally, interviewers may penalize you for “taking action before assessing the situation.”

For job interviews, manners can make or break a candidate. Studies have shown that people presume competence based upon behaviors. Etiquette, however, is not just about being seen as competent. Etiquette is truly about confidence. When you know what the appropriate behavior is for a particular situation, you can feel confident that you are doing the right thing. When you are feeling confident, you are able to relax and concentrate on the interaction instead of worrying about what the other person must think.

Smith is single-handedly dusting off etiquette’s stuffy image. Students think of her as the etiquette consultant for The OC generation. Her use of humor and irreverent attitude has students laughing and learning from them moment the program begins. “I could not believe she was talking about how to politely burp at the table,” exclaimed one sophomore. The dining services staff loves Smith because she teaches students to respect themselves as well as others. This respect extends to and includes the wait staff and cooks.

Most of all, offering a gracious dining course allows campus foodservices to nourish students’ minds as well as their bodies. It provides students will the knowledge to comfortably handle any dining situation for years to come. Additionally, these etiquette programs afford dining services another avenue to reach out to their student population and make a positive difference in their lives.

To find out more about Jodi R. R. Smith or to e-mail her your etiquette emergency, please visit: www.Mannersmith.com.