Search - American Dining and Entertaining Etiquette; Manners for the Table on DVD

Good but scarce and non-fully illustraded advice

P. Caetano | Maineville, OH United States | 08/31/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The advice in this DVD is good: Ms. Kern spends most of the time filming a table, explaining in detail how to navigate your way in several table settings, what each utensile and plate is for, what is the correct order for glasses, how to hold the fork, etc. However, in that long sequence she is alone and the plates and glasses are empty. Thus, for instance, when she describes how to interact with the other guests at the table or deal with the food in front of you she is just describing what you should do instead of actually showing you what to do. Well a book can do that. I bought a DVD on etiquette expecting to see a display of good manners rather than, mostly, having them described to me. Nevertheless, I was not able to find a better DVD on etiquette so I would recommend this one."

Interesting

A. Y. Smittle | Winchester, VA United States | 08/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This really was a helpful video on dining etiquette. Its interesting in that you go right into Ruth's house and use her silver and china to work on your manners and presentation. Now, my one complaint was that the bulk of the video was on how the fork and knife were proportioned, napkin placed, etc. I was looking for a bit more on hostessing and entertaining, etc. You get what you pay for---you see how to set a table for luncheon, formal and dinner parties. What fork to eat with, which glass to drink from, etc. I was hoping for a more well-rounded video on all topics, as well as a greater time length. But I feel I have gained something. Try to see if you can rent it from somewhere and save your money! (Library? Video Store? Used off Amazon.com?)"

Hated It

Shrylene Langston | 06/19/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased American Dining and Entertaining Etiquette; Manners for the Table as a training tool for our young adults participating in our annual cotillion. After previewing the tape, I am very disappointed. Ms. Kern is quite boring and would not hold the interest of me as a 43 year old adult. I would not torture our youth by forcing them to watch this video. There was too much discussion on wine and where to serve the guest and no real demonstration as I expected. May I suggest you redo the video and have actual people at the table. Demonstrate how the table should be arranged, the place setting, etc. Also consider showing real people having a meal utilizing the proper instruments. Include proper conversation and provide tips for various negative encounters (spill water or beverage, how to request additional food, what to do if you don't like the food on your plate, etc.) that may occur and how to recover from them. Do a video just for young adults demonstrating how men should seat women, show bad manners vs. good manners, etc."