Protocol and Etiquette Dinner held for seniors

On Wednesday, April 1, 37 seniors attended the 11th annual Business Protocol and Etiquette Dinner for seniors, sponsored by the Student Development Counseling Center and Office of Career Services at Assumption College. Facilitator Carol McGuiggan said that 99 out of 100 executives agree that social skills are prerequisites to succeeding in business and social life. McGuiggan described that "The purpose of the tutorial is to teach students the importance of knowing and exercising appropriate business protocol, manners and etiquette. Today most business executives believe that being able to handle yourself at a business dinner or cocktail party is just as important as being able to conduct yourself in a boardroom."

McGuiggan has 24 plus years here at Assumption College as the Co-Director of the Office of Career Services at the Student Development and Counseling Center. She is also a member in good standing of the National Association of Colleges and Employers and is also a member of the Massachusetts Educational Recruiting Consortium. Additionally, she has developed four specialized Professional Development Seminars for seniors and was also awarded the National Association of Colleges and Employers Management Leadership Institute certification in 2001.

"I have always had an interest in professional development which includes gaining skills and abilities in many areas and on many levels," McGuiggan said. "I pursued several schools of protocol, underwent numerous trainings and received certifications including etiquette for Asia and the Pacific Rim. I continue to learn, and fine tune my skills. I enjoy it."

Assumption's very own Marriott Room in Taylor Dining Hall was transformed into a beautifully decorated restaurant-like dining room. The white linen table cloth was delicately decorated with all the place settings you would experience at an upscale restaurant topped off with a colorful flower center piece. The business casual attire of the students completed the scene of a business dining situation.

Once all the students had arrived and were busy looking over the displays around the room which portrayed proper dining etiquette, McGuiggan asked the students to gather around and asked the students to loosen up with a nice fun clap. She then made a point to thank Eric Swindle who is the Director of Student Activities, and the person who schedules the Senior Programming Series.

The tutorial began with the teaching of a proper handshake and introduction. The students were then taught the proper way to sit, how to unfold their napkin and that there is a silent language within your place setting; your utensils tell you everything you are going to partake in the evening. Stephanie McCaffery, who is the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, then blessed the evening and meal before the students were served.

The dinner was provided by Sodexo Food Services and consisted of five courses. As the students ate, McGuiggan demonstrated what they should be doing with her large wooden fork and spoon. It was then explained that she carefully chose each item they were served in order to teach them a lesson. The meal consisted of soup, bread, salad and an entrée of chicken served with vegetables and a baked potato. They finished with sherbet and fruit cup.

The atmosphere was relaxed and fun with her bubbly personality and comfortable jokes. For example to help them remember how to properly eat soup she taught them the rhyme "Little ships go out to sea and then return to me."

This was not just a lecture on how to behave at dinner, but the students were actively involved and laughing the whole way through. They were encouraged to ask questions on anything concerning dining etiquette. The questions ranged from what to do if there is a bug in your soup, to how to react if you spill something on someone else. Open to share her own embarrassing stories, McGuiggan told the students "To handle it with dignity and with grace. Try not to upset the whole table. Of course if you spill on someone else say you are sorry. It is important to indicate to that person to send you the cleaning bill, even if they decline you keep insisting until they tell you to be quiet or actually send you the bill."

One important issue that Carol stressed was the topic of alcohol at a business interview. Carol informed the students of the decision made by The Executive Committee of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, also known as NACE, that employers are strongly discouraged from serving alcohol as part of the recruitment process. She told students that if the CEO decides to drink they should simply say "no thank you" and that they should not be put in a position to feel they have to drink.

At the end of the dinner, McGuiggan requested the students pick a spokesperson from each table and share what they learned tonight. Brittney Gorham spoke for her table stating that "We learned where to place our utensils when we finish our meal" Other responses included how to pass the salt and pepper correctly and also the correct way to pass the bread.

After completing the tutorial each student received a certificate of completion signed by program sponsors President Francesco Cesareo, Eric Swindle and McGuiggan. McGuiggan informed students that this would be a good component for their portfolios.