What does “finishing” mean?
Savoir-faire is the ability to say and do the right things in any social situation. Savoir-vivre means familiarity with the rules and customs of a polite society. In the past, ladies of the upper class European and American society attended finishing school, also called charm school that taught them social graces and etiquette as a preparation for entry into society. Today, finishing school is becoming ever more exclusive, reserved for the selected few due its high price standard.
Why attend our online finishing course?
I created this online course, based on the traditional curriculum of traditional European finishing schools with an international and up to date context. I attended various finishing schools while I was living in UK an found what I have learnt immensely valuable and life-changing. Etiquette is not just about following the rules and protocols but also being a kinder and more considerate and tolerant person. This course comprises of every important details of what I have learnt in my finishing schools and a lot more based on my research. I believe that the knowledge you will learn in this course can have a huge impact in your social and professional lives. It prepares people to become more polished, cultured, graceful and confident!
Who is the teacher?
My name is Rayne Kee (Ph.D.), the founder of Art of Living Institute, Asia’s leading online finishing school that aims to empower people with the knowledge of international etiquette and social graces to build social ease and confidence. With a psychology background and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from UCL, I have developed and adopts a philosophical view of life and happiness. Instead of pursuing happiness that solely comes from achievements in the future, I think that life is unpredictable, and true happiness comes from having every present moment well lived.I have been actively researching, creating, and teaching etiquette courses and have been on various talks in local schools and universities.
Key Lessons Introduction
Dining Etiquette
Dining Etiquette is perhaps the most important lesson in etiquette education. There is a saying that nothing is as revealing about a person as table manners. This class includes every knowledge and detail about European dining etiquette, from what to do when you enter a restaurant, after sitting down, how to place your napkin, how to use the napkin, general rules that no one will tell you, place setting, how to use the utensils, the silent service code, how to have challenging food, drinking, and lastly, a demonstration on how to fold an elegant napkin.
Personal Image
There is a saying that you should always put your best self forward. Why? On one hand, how you look influences how you feel about yourself. On the other hand, it influences how others see and treat you which indirectly affects your experience of the world. For example, studies have shown that people take less than a second to form a first impression of someone based on how he or she looks. This course includes a comprehensive list of lessons such as personal grooming, poise and deportment, body language, facial expression, voice and elocution, social media management, and the art of elegant dressing including general rules of elegant dressing as well as what to wear for occasions.
Social Graces
Social Graces covers a range of topics that help people to navigate through complex social situations with ease and confidence. It’s about being empowered with the knowledge of knowing what to do or say in any social situations. The topics include polite introduction, how to make an impression when doing handshake, social kissing, the use of first and last names, name card etiquette, how to make an impression entering and leaving a party, conversation do’s and don’t, what to do when unexpected things happen and etc.
