Local teens learn fine dining etiquette and social skills ahead of national conference
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A group of local teenagers spent Tuesday evening learning lessons in etiquette, confidence, and social interaction during a fine dining experience organized by Links Incorporated and the 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina.
The event brought together young African American men and women for a hands-on lesson in fine dining and social etiquette, aimed at preparing them for future opportunities both professionally and socially.
Three tables filled with students participated in the dinner, where they learned everything from proper table manners and utensil use to professional presentation and social grace.
“Now I’m gonna tell you, people because we don’t do this and we have kind of lost that social grace will look at you, but they will say ‘That’s a well-mannered man there’ and that’s what you want,” said Faye Jacobs, a volunteer with Links Incorporated.
Jacobs said the event was designed to help students navigate both business and social settings with confidence.
“If they’re dining, we want to make sure that they know what utensils to use,” Jacobs said. “We want to make sure that they know you don’t use the phone while you’re entertaining other people in business, how to introduce yourself to your elders, how to introduce your partner, those kinds of issues.”
During the dinner, Jacobs guided students through lessons on etiquette, conversation and presentation.
High school teacher Jeremy Brown said one of the most important lessons for students was learning to stay engaged without distractions from their phones.
“It’s tough in an environment like this to stay engaged and active, with your table mates,” Brown said. “It’s hard for even adults to keep that phone either away or face down and not be checking social media or texting. We really want them to stay engaged, make small talk.”
North Brunswick High School students Hilsyn Hardy and Tylee McKinney said they learned several practical etiquette skills during the event.
“Learning what type of cutlery there is such as a salad fork or an entree fork and how to seat women and also when to put a napkin on your lap when the host does it as well,” Hardy said.
McKinney said students were also taught proper etiquette when dining with others.
“Learning how to stand up when a woman excuses herself from the table and also waiting for the host to do something before you do something,” McKinney said. “For example, for the host to pick up their menu so you know when to do so.”
For some students, the event marked their first fine dining experience. The meal included Caesar salads, soup, chicken and filet mignon.
Kevin Briggs, president of the 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina, said the experience is intended to help students prepare for the 100 Black Men of America’s annual conference next month in New York City.
“The kids will be exposed to fine dining opportunities, so we wanted to make sure that as they’re competing for history challenges as well as financial literacy challenges and taking in certain sessions that they would be prepared to interact at a table and have their social experiences,” Briggs said.
