Etiquette for aspiring partners
A US law is introducing a formal etiquette training programme for
its junior lawyers, I read in our sister title Legal Week today.
Apparently Mintz Levin is concerned about its associates' social skills. Among the awkward
social questions the course will deal with are: 'Where do you place your napkin when
excusing yourself from the table mid-meal?’, ‘What if my glass is
soiled?’ and ‘Is it OK to apply lipstick at the table?’.
One partner said: 'A young lawyer may have an excellent academic pedigree
and know the law down to the letter, but all of that may go unnoticed
if he or she lacks confidence in personal and professional interactions
or appears awkward in social settings.' (It's worth scrolling down to the comments section too)
Are there accountancy firms out there running similar courses? I'd love to know...
The comments section to that post is hilarious. But hey - what would I know about social graces.
Posted by Dennis Howlett | May 18, 2007 1:08 PM
I had a nose around for accountancy-related examples but haven't found any. Hopefully they don't exist. I heard a whisper of something similar at one Big Four firm in the UK, though it was more about meeting etiquette than social niceties.
Posted by Damian Wild | May 21, 2007 5:31 PM