Poised for the Future: Charm Classes in Indy

Classic and Contemporary Etiquette

When Indianapolis Propylaeum event and marketing director Elizabeth Turner thinks of etiquette, she pictures Julia Roberts fretting over which fork to use in Pretty Woman. The courses Turner coordinates with etiquette coaches at the Propylaeum address that dilemma and more, turning the old mansion into a popular destination for elementary-school field trips at which kids can enjoy learning proper table manners—especially once the food arrives.
From $20, by appointment only. 638-7881, thepropylaeum.org

The Etiquette and Leadership Institute of Indiana

In company president and founder John Scott’s eyes, manners and etiquette are all about making others comfortable. Scott strives to instill that in his students, ages 5–18, through lessons in social dancing, dressing for success, and table etiquette at locations throughout the city.
Next up: Little Ambassadors Etiquette Seminar (ages 5–7), $40 for one session or $75 for all three, Oct. 3, 10, and 17. 888-354-4639, eliindiana.com

Etiquette Indianapolis

Owner Renae Weghorst credits her childhood piano teacher with convincing her of the importance of posture, eye contact, and poise. Weghorst focuses on role-playing to develop self-confidence and kindness in graduates of her manners boot camp. “You don’t think this is important now,” she tells her students, “but you’ll look back on this as something that separates you from the pack.”
Next up: Holiday Dinner Boot Camp, $75, Nov. 6 (ages 5–11) or Nov. 14 (ages 12–17), 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 903-9902, etiquetteindianapolis.com

Excellence with Etiquette

Christie Herron noticed a lack of manners while working as a recruiter in corporate America. She left in 2008 and began traveling around Indy, teaching do’s and don’ts to children and adults. Herron puts a special emphasis on treating people with kindness.
Next up: Modern Manners for Teens (ages 13–17), $88, Oct. 18. 426-7585, excellencewithetiquette.com

Table-Etiquette Classes

Hailing from across the pond, Tina Jesson has been giving Indy residents a dose of proper dining manners in her Carmel teahouse, Tina’s Old English Kitchen, since last October. Her three-course table-etiquette dinners incorporate lessons ranging from how to hold silverware to how to properly pour and drink tea.
$25 per person, Tuesday and Thursday evenings by appointment. 565-9716, tinastraditional.com

MORE: A Baby Boomer reflects on the lessons she learned (and rejected) at the Greenwood Sears.

This article appeared in our September 2015 issue.