Students, young alumni learn table manners count

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Knowing where to place your knife and fork after a meal may not be something students need to know to earn their degree. But it appears they understand the importance of this knowledge when entering the workforce.

This was made evident by McMaster's Alumni Association's most recent student/young alumni event, “Etiquette Dinner”, which attracted nearly 200 participants.

“More students are realizing the importance of improving their etiquette ease when preparing for a job interview,” said facilitator Lorna Somers, vice-president of the McMaster University Foundation and senior campaign director for the University. “They are more aware that etiquette is used as a way to measure and evaluate people and know getting a job is partially influenced by what your table manners say about you.”

This is the second time McMaster has hosted an etiquette dinner for students and young alumni. More than double the amount of participants signed up for this event, which sold out almost immediately.

“The Alumni Association's etiquette dinner was great fun and very instructive,” said Rod Morrison, director of Alumni Advancement. “Thanks to Lorna Somers, our guide for the evening, it was thoroughly enjoyable to learn more about the “do's and don'ts” of all aspects of business dining. And with close to 200 students and alumni participating, we know the Alumni Association is offering people something of real value.”

The event took place in the CIBC Banquet Hall in the McMaster University Student Centre and was catered by McMaster's Hospitality Services. It featured an interactive five-course dinner that walked through general etiquette practice with a focus on table manners and the finer points of formal dining.

For more information on upcoming alumni events and other services for students and young alumni, visit http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/students/index.cfm.