The Grayson County 4-H Agent has worked with the Teen Club leader in an effort to increase the etiquette and manners skills of the teens in the county 4-H program. Basic manners and meal etiquette seems to have gone by the way-side over the years, particularly as technology has increased its presence in the daily lives of the teens. The club leader, formerly a state 4-H officer, has had an increased awareness of the importance of these skills for youth, not only for ‘fancy’ events, but in day-to-day functions in becoming well-rounded adults. Youth that learn these skills at a younger age have more opportunity to practice and hone them as they get older; this serves them well when they begin to enter into the workforce and become community leaders.

In program year 2019, the agent and leader only offered this to the Teen Club members, the lesson was presented to them at a club meeting. Those that were present at the lesson were then formerly invited to the dinner. They had to go through the process of RSVPing, mingling before the meal, and using correct meal time manners while carrying on appropriate dinner conversations. For 2019, there were 8 club participants that attended the dinner as well as a state 4-H officer.

For the current program year of 2020, the program was to Teens in Action (seventeen members) as well as SET Squad (sixteen members); several of the members are in both clubs. The agent worked to enhance the lesson activities to be more hands-on and interactive. Set up of the meeting room was at the Extension Office and preparing the challenges were done by the agent, items purchased were paid for with the agents program support. The twenty youth who were present at the etiquette lesson were split into 4 teams and competed in 3 etiquette events- table setting for non-formal and formal dining, manners trivia, and food fear factor. The teams received points based on correct placings of the dishes/utensils, points for correct answers, and points for first team to finish a food. The food fear factor played an important part as youth are less willing to try new foods or make rude comments about something they don’t like or think is gross; this gave them an opportunity to try foods that they may normally turn their noses up to.

At the Etiquette Dinner, eighteen of the youth RSVPed for the event held again at the Extension office with the three-course meal prepared by the agent. They were expected to arrive 5-10 minutes early and were given mingling assessment cards, similar to what state officer applicants have been expected to do. The youth, dressed in Sunday best, had to mingle and score each other on how well they held conversation, manners, and body language. With so many participants, the agent and leader split the group into two tables and chose two older members to be the head of the table to help maintain conversation at their respective tables. They were served each course of the meal and were expected to utilize their correct manners.

One month following the etiquette program, the youth present were assessed on four questions:

1. Since the etiquette lesson and dinner, I have been more aware of my meal-time manners. 83% said yes, they were more aware.
2. Since the etiquette lesson, I have practiced correctly setting the table. 50% indicated they have been practicing this skill.
3. Since the etiquette lesson, I have been more willing to try new foods. 75% indicated they have been trying new foods.
4. I enjoyed the etiquette dinner, and would like more opportunities to practice these skills. 83% gave a positive response that they would like more practice opportunities.

The agent and leader plan to work on coming up with opportunities for the youth to continue to practice their skills, they will also be encouraged to participate in the lesson next year. Additionally, the program will be extended to all clubs next year as it is a goal to continue to develop these skills among the 4-H youth in the county.