This etiquette school in Makati teaches kids 'lost art' of table manners

'Lost art'

With standard enrollment at P27,500 per child, a term with Gentle Folks Etiquette is a definite splurge, but the school's founders say parents invest in classes "because [etiquette] is such a lost art."

"Good manners is just a reflection of you in society," McHugh-Rodrigo said. "It is also showing kindness to others by how you act."

These days, people are more secluded than before, she added, which takes away the values of cooperation, teamwork, and consideration. 

"We're on our phones; we keep to ourselves. We don't really know anymore how to properly interact with others," McHugh-Rodrigo continued. "I think this is why etiquette is needed."

By practicing good manners and knowing how to correctly converse with people, you feel good about yourself and, consequently, you make other people feel good, according to the Gentle Folks Etiquette founders. 

"We are so much missing that in the world right now, making other people feel comfortable," McHugh-Rodrigo said. 

Etiquette in the digital age

According to both McHugh-Rodrigo and Francia, they can tell when students spend a lot of their time on gadgets. 

"Not only do they kind of have a [hunched] back, they [also] have their eyes down all the time," said McHugh-Rodrigo. "They also have a way of speaking."

One way Gentle Folks draws these kids away from their devices and out of their shell is teaching language skills. If students start using internet slang such as "LOL," they correct it first. "Language is so important, especially for face-to-face interaction."

Posture, the inability to maintain eye contact, and difficulty in introducing themselves are other indications of extended screen time. 

"Most of the kids who are on digital [devices] tend to not have good eye contact. It's very, very hard for them," she said. To remedy this, Gentle Folks holds staring contests, which tend to get "very, very awkward" for the teens. 

"But it gets them to loosen up and have [real] interaction with a human," McHugh-Rodrigo said. 

Ultimately, the etiquette lessons underscore self-worth. 

"A lot of kids nowadays, because they're online, they don't feel beautiful," McHugh-Rodrigo said. "At the end of the day, I think what etiquette teaches us is not just how to be kind to other people, but also how to hold some value for yourself."

Old-world etiquette

Gentle Folks Etiquette sets itself apart from other personality development schools because it focuses its lessons on manners around the table. They teach hand placement, sitting up straight, and holding conversations at mealtimes, among others.

Francia, who grew up in a Filipino household, considers the table etiquette lessons among her favorites in the curriculum as it teaches manners not common at a Filipino dining table. 

"I can't wait for my children to grow up and instill those [lessons in them]," Francia told L!fe. 

In the pipeline are lessons in Filipino-centered etiquette, herbal tea, and floristry. 

Aside from classes for kids from five years old to teens, with each class averaging 16 students, Gentle Folks also holds private classes for all ages either at The Peninsula Manila or at the client's home. 

Visit the Instagram page of Gentle Folks Etiquette for more details.