Let us Introduce Ourselves…..
Bienvenue and Welcome to Etiquette Exceptionnelle!
We are thrilled that you are here and welcome You to a new stage in your personal growth and self-improvement.
After all, the Best Investment is in Yourself…….
Here at Etiquette Exceptionnelle, we have always been passionate about teaching those mysterious codes containing the keys to High Society.
We specialise in teaching French Savoir-Vivre, which is the French word for both etiquette and living elegantly. Come and learn in beautiful Burgundy at our live-in Finishing School every Easter and August and practise what you have learned when you visit some of the finest chateau’s in France to take tea with a Countess or visit the vineyards of Champagne and Beaune.
And for those of you who wish to integrate into British Society we also teach a range of subjects such as British dining, afternoon tea, dress codes, particularly for the season and correspondence. Poppy is a fully certified etiquette consultant in both grades one and two with The English Manner and Beaumont Etiquette.
We are able to teach in London, Burgundy and Zurich and we are proud to work with our colleagues Madame Etiquette in Paris and Maria Liassides Etiquette London.
The understanding and practise of Exceptional Etiquette will help YOU navigate life’s challenging situations.
Empowering you to speak to others with confidence, feel at home in any social situation, and improve your relationships with your colleagues enabling you to progress in your career.
Our Founder Poppy Bouet was so enthused and empowered by her self-improvement that she sent herself to four separate finishing schools including the European Dining course with Institut Villa Pierrefeu in Switzerland. She then completed with Distinction The English Manner and Beaumont Etiquette Train the Trainer course which is the gold standard worldwide in Etiquette training. The English Manner was founded by Alexandra Messervy who had previously worked for the Royal Household.
Poppy completed both Grades One and Two, the latter including teaching by Protocolbureau who have organised events for the Dutch Royal family and Paris Fashion week and who train diplomatic and household staff for royal families and governments around the world. And in the past year she has undertaken further private study with a member of the French nobility who also served France as an Ambassador in an extremely distinguished career.
Our raison d’être is we can teach French or British Etiquette in English or French to people in France, Britain or Switzerland.
Our difference is that we do not just explain the How….. We also explain the Why as well as the history, culture and reasons behind these mores which are usually known only by Certified Etiquette Trainers and members of High or Polite Society.
Etiquette & Savoir-Vivre is not simply how to hold a knife and fork (although our Dining Etiquette courses are extremely popular). There are other important elements of Social Etiquette such as Poise and Confidence. Body Language and Business Etiquette. Conversation and Entertaining. As well as Correspondence and Protocol.
The best version of yourself is only an email away…..
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS PUT TO ME:
Question: Networking intimidates me, I just want to make friends. Why would I need to learn all of this extra information?
Answer: Networking is actually only that – making friends through talking to people. We each live in a community. Learning to live and make friends within our community is the key to feeling we belong. When you learn how to approach people effectively, reading body language, it is far easier to socialise. Taking a simple conversation to a deeper level is how we make personal connections and integrate to society. There are simple tools to help you whether you are living in the city or country. Etiquette can be a great equaliser giving us all the chance to improve our lives and lifestyles no matter the circumstances into which we were born. Don’t forget the expression – “Your Network is Your Net Worth.”
Question: Are Manners useful in a Business Context?
Answer: People generally want to do business with those with whom they feel an affinity, a connection. Your business colleague needs to trust you to behave correctly in a professional and social setting. Manners are a kind of handbook, a universal standard by which we all agree to behave to facilitate feeling at ease in any situation. When you are comfortable you generally perform at your best. And nothing succeeds like success !
Question: Why does one need to know French or European dining as well as British? And what is Continental?
Answer: British dining should only be used in Britain and the Commonwealth although it is also used at Diplomatic events and frequently at formal occasions in America.
“Continental” is actually a misnomer. It was a term created in America to describe how people eat in Europe. However, the two methods are entirely different.
The French way of eating which is called European Dining was created in the Court of Versailles by Louis XIV and has had the same rules since the eighteenth century.
British dining is completely separate and although there are no apparent records as there are in France it most likely dates from the nineteenth century.
Therefore there is no such thing as “Continental dining” except as a description used in North America.