Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Lyndy Janes of the Workshoppe inspects her pupils' fork technique during an etiquette class.

Workshoppe owners bring out an etiquette survival kit

By Sarah Lombardo

Lyndy Janes and Sue Fox have taken what many parents and grandparents cringe about and turned it into a successful business and a series of videos soon to be available for the less-than-mannerly members of society.

The Etiquette Survival Kit videos were created by Fox and Janes, professional models and owners of The Workshoppe, located at 14419 Big Basin Way. The kit comes in two versions, one for adults and one for teens, and--like the classes The Workshoppe has been offering for more than a year--covers the pitfalls and proper manners of dining and socializing. A third video also teaches how to set a table when entertaining.

"The demand for what we have been doing and the response has been incredible," Janes said of the classes and private etiquette lessons she teaches, "so we came up with the idea for a video."

Fox, who takes care of the business side of the operation, said that since it opened in 1996, their business has received a great response from parents.

"When we tell people what we do, adults laugh," she said. "They say, 'I can't believe you are making a business out of this. It is so needed.' "

The Workshoppe began with etiquette for teens but has since expanded to include classes for adults, small children and businesses. There is not a single person who couldn't benefit from good manners, Fox and Janes said--especially here in Silicon Valley.

Janes instructs students of all ages in the basics of dining etiquette (including how to eat difficult foods), table settings and use, extending and receiving invitations, and the dos and don'ts of dining, such as where to put one's fork and knife when finished with a meal. Deportment, or modeling, is also covered, from manners at home and handshakes to conversation and listening skills. Basic appearance and confidence-building, Janes said, also play a part in her classes.

Filmed on a local soundstage, the videos employed untrained teens. To ensure that the videos would be natural and fun, Janes did not give the teens scripts or lessons beforehand.

Although negotiations are ongoing, Fox said many Bay Area stores and catalogs have shown an interest in the videos, which are scheduled to sell for $29.95 each, with the table-setting video included.

Janes will continue to teach classes at their Big Basin Way location and at the P.S. I Love You tearoom next door. Janes said she enjoys her classes because of how happy it makes parents and significant others to see loved ones transformed and because of how her students' self-esteem is raised.

Her students seem just as happy with their instruction.

"I was on my way to France to stay with a French family, so I thought it would be a good idea to learn European table manners," said 11-year-old James Lustenader. "Now I don't worry about making mistakes and looking stupid in fancy restaurants."

For information on the videos or classes, call The Workshoppe at 741-8307. They also have a Web site.

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