Suzanne Nourse (Canada) 

Founder and Director of the Protocol School of Ottawa 

www.EtiquetteOttawa.com

The Protocol School of Ottawa opened for business in 2004.  I was certified by The Protocol School of Washington in 2002 and continued in my college teaching job for a couple of years.

My main focus is Corporate/Business Etiquette, International Protocol and Medical/Dental Office Professionalism..  To round out my programs I developed Afternoon Tea & Etiquette and that is what my first client wanted.

Fulford Place is an historic residence/museum in a small town, Brockville, south of my home city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They conduct guided tours and also have a lovely, little tea room.

I set up my tea display of tea paraphernalia in the grand salon.  The guests sat at chairs and tables. How grand.  After my presentation we all made our way to the tea room.  Afternoon Tea had been included in the fee for the afternoon.  I’m a believer in practicing what is discussed – so, let’s have tea!  I table hopped and answered questions as the participants enjoyed their finger sandwiches and scones. I quickly learned that the facilitator does not have time to eat or even drink.  I think I left several barely touched cups of tea at various tables.

Since this was my first paid job as an Etiquette Consultant I was nervous.   It was exasperated by driving to an unfamiliar town, road construction detours, and my own non-existent sense of direction.  A quick stop at a gas station for directions soon had me back on track.  Being compulsively early I needn’t have worried about the time.

That first experienced reinforced with me the need to be early, that participants like to look and touch relevant objects, and that I needed to be more aware of my own need for body fuel.  I now pack snacks and a drinking glass.  Most organizers set up the speaking area with bottled water.  As an Etiquette Consultant I refuse to drink from a bottle while speaking. 

I am thrilled to report that this first experience as an Etiquette Consultant lead to repeat sessions with Fulford Place.  To me, that says it all.

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The next Etiquette Consultant who will share her personal experience will be Sabine Schwind von Egelstein from Germany.