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Class Teaches BH Kids Good Manners
By:Kendra Kozen – Courier Staff
July 25, 2003Beverly Hills children are learning to become young ladies and gentlemen this summer through a six-hour etiquette course offered by the City of Beverly Hills. One session took place this week at Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Beverly Drive.
“If you learn the rules at an early age then you won’t have to correct bad habits later on. When children know what to do they feel comfortable and can be themselves,” said course instructor Maggie O’Farrill.
With over 20 years experience instructing children, teens and young adults in practical social skills, O’Farrill has served as Program Director of the Margarita O’Farrill School of Personal Development (founded by her mother) and now runs her own training program, Basic Tips.
“I was exposed to a lot of formalities as a child; since I was little my family stressed etiquette,” said O’Farrill, who grew up in Mexico City and often dined at the home of her uncle Romulo O’Farrill Sr., the Irish Consul General.
Among other social skills, the course teaches table manners, table setting, body language, introductions, listening skills, and first impressions. O’Farrill uses a hands-on approach, engaging students through practice with a real meal, interaction, games and activities.
“I tell the students learning how to act is important because if you’re doing something funny or awkward people tend to focus on that behavior rather than the conversation and if you make a good first impression you leave doors open for the future,” said O’Farrill. “Every rule––I call them ‘tips’ for the kids––has a reason and when the kids understand the reasons it makes sense to them.”
According to Senior Recreation Supervisor Chris Best, O’Farrill’s classes, which he describes as a gentler approach focused on consideration and inclusion rather than strict rules, have been popular since the city began offering them three years ago. He said the city offers the course several times throughout the year and was recently approached by the television show “The Osbournes” and Ellen DeGeneres’ new talk show and Los Angeles’ radio station Star 98.7’s evening drivetime show with Ryan Seacrest and Lisa Fox, all interested in using the program in bits for the shows.
“I often have parents disappointed because we don’t currently offer the course for their families and teenagers,” said Best.
Winnie Pak, whose nine-year-old son Julius attended the class this week, said a friend recommended the program and she sent her son to enhance his social skills.
“No matter how much we try to teach as parents, hearing from someone else makes more of an impact and hopefully learning with other kids they will have fun,” said Pak.
Students like seven-year-old Petra Chalmers said they learned a lot and have fun practicing eating the meal. This week the students enjoyed waffles and cereal.
“Usually at home I put my napkin under the knife and spoon; I learned from Maggie that it goes under the fork,” said Chalmers.
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