Jadyn Iby
Staff Writer
An Alum from The College of Saint Rose, Robert A. Shutt, etiquette educator, presenter, and “shipwreck diver,” gave Saint Rose students a peek into what the world of business and interviews is all about, as well as some comedic relief about dinner etiquette this past Monday.
Shutt has done this presentation for years with, “…a lot of schools including Ivy leagues and also within the corporate world as well,” said Sharon Edwards-Grant, the director of the Career Center.
Edwards-Grant, a graduate from Northeastern University who majored in leadership and business was the host of the Etiquette Dinner this year. The Etiquette Dinner has been around for years; “It’s been long before me…Every year that I have been here we’ve done it in the spring,” Edwards-Grant said. “It’s mainly to have our students ready…Some interviews are done over meals and there’s a way to do that, it’s the polished way of doing things.”
During the course of the presentation, Shutt gave many insights on the principles of fine dining etiquette. “It’s a very important career success skill…Not everyone understands the value of an experience like this,” Shutt said. Additionally, Shutt explained that “At a meal like this, it’s about conversations, relationships, and business.”
Shutt greeted each and every student/group during the first portion of the dinner, giving a perfect example of someone who knows how to network and converse with peers. Throughout the presentation, he asked if we had any questions for him, allowing for students to think critically and really gain knowledge during the presentation. The Etiquette Dinner wasn’t only a presentation for students, but an engaging and hands-on experience as well.
While participating in the etiquette dinner, students learned how to network, engage in conversations with new people, properly eat a meal while also conversing with fellow table members, which utensils to use for certain foods and portions of the meal, how to appropriately address people at your table, and how to be respectful and thankful for your meal and opportunity. Shutt stressed the importance of thanking your leadership (whoever is interviewing you or having the business), and said, “Send a handwritten thank you note or email. If you want someone to remember you and that you said thank you, it’s best to write a handwritten note.”
Kelsey Higgins, ‘27, and a major in marketing said, “…the dinner was a really cool opportunity to learn something that not many teach. While I don’t use proper etiquette daily, it’s good to know in case I need to attend a fancy dinner with business professionals.”
The event is a great opportunity for students to get to experience real world situations and make connections. “It builds your confidence, you walk away learning how to ‘Dine while you Shine,’” said Edwards-Grant. “It helps you to get prepared for the real world, it’s not just for interviewing. If you are employed, your corporation may have a formal dinner. You want to be comfortable in your skin, know what to do; you don’t want to just be wondering ‘What do I do here?’” she said.
“I think that the Etiquette Dinner is a great way, especially as a freshman, to get to know other students and faculty here, as well as learn more about the interviewing process,” said Lita Conklin, ‘27, a forensic psychology major. “I liked it a lot.”
Shutt concluded the dinner saying, “Always remember that as you travel through life, manners do matter and courtesy matters” a significant lesson for the leaders of tomorrow.
