Tourism & Hospitality | Friday 24 March, 2017 5:00 am |

In a bid to develop their social graces, 22 people from different government and private sectors in Sharjah have recently been given lessons in the do’s and don’ts of table manners, the management of social mishaps and the niceties of dining etiquette at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre (JRCC).

Organised by JRCC, the two-day workshop, which included participants from the Executive office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, the Executive Office of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Sharjah Ladies Club, Sharjah Business Women Council, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, and a number of JRCC’s agents, covered the essentials of casual and formal dining. Themed ‘Table Manners and Etiquette’, the sessions took place recently at JRCC, one of the largest and most prominent centres for organising and hosting conferences, official meetings and social and private events in Sharjah and the Northern regions.

The workshop addressed a number of topics on etiquette protocols (which date back more than 500 years), including the formalities of handling food, the essentials of manners, and the appropriate posture and conversation at the table. Participants were also schooled on managing mishaps and how to control them with the least inconvenience possible.

Hanan Al Mahmoud, Director of JRCC, believes the event was an ideal fit for the centre’s portfolio. “We always seek to deliver premium services and with workshops such as these, we can demonstrate our ability to host exclusive high-end courses as well as the large events and exhibitions which we are known for on a regional scale throughout the year,” she said.

Nour Khouri Roumieh, CEO of Finishing Touch, the Academy of International Etiquette and Savoir-vivre, who conducted the workshop and awarded certificates to those taking part, believes etiquette can mean the difference between making relationships and burning bridges.

“This course not only deals with learning what is acceptable, it tries to define etiquette in terms of excellence,” she said. “We know first impressions are vital and so if someone perceives you as cultured and sophisticated in your initial meeting, that immediately paves the way for mutual respect.”

“There are so many intricacies in dining which many people are either completely unaware of or simply don’t understand and my job is to reveal what they are, what they mean and how to perfect them. The women who took part were all hugely enthusiastic and certainly enhanced their skills both as a host and a guest.”

Supported by “The House of Flowers” and “Tanagra”, each day of the workshop was divided into two parts – a theoretical session addressing theory was held at JRCC’s Zabarjad Majles, and a practical session including a full-course meal, and the dishes cooked at the practical session, which impressed all participants, were prepared by JRCC’s team of professional chefs at the centre’s Fairouz Foyer.