For any visitors who don’t already know me and would like to know more about my experience and what I offer my etiquette students, I wrote a summary of my journey here. It has been quite a voyage, and doesn’t cease to be fascinating and rewarding work.
My name is Rhoda, and I am from Northern Ireland, living in Geneva, Switzerland. I came here after university, to study with a violin teacher. I moved away a few times, always for music, living in Maastricht and spending a lot of time in London and in Nashville. Travelling for my music almost non-stop for those years was incredible, but eventually I wanted to be based in one beautiful place and to build something from there.
I chose to return to live by the shore of beautiful Lake Geneva, which is the land of the famed Swiss finishing school, and in doing so, was given the opportunity to pursue something that had intrigued me for my whole life.
In the beginning, I was mostly looking for some materials to teach etiquette to my children, as I wanted them to have the same education as the royal children. I grew up in the UK, always very aware of The Queen, Princess Diana and her two sons, Princes William and Harry, and following their lives and progress. I knew that they understood some ways of being and interacting that were taught to people only in certain social circles. Even as a child, I grasped that this knowledge would be incredibly valuable and that it equated to access and also influence.
Before long, this looking around for good books had evolved into an etiquette teaching business, teaching children in my own home. After some local advertising, my very first class had 17 sign-ups from enthusiastic families, so I knew I was onto something. I then ran a weekly etiquette club for children, all in my home, with various friends and assistants helping me with the classes.
Along the way, one of the children’s mothers asked me for a private course for herself. She was mixing socially and in business with members of royalty and she wanted a comprehensive course in social and business etiquette. This woman told me the kinds of scenarios that she was finding herself in, and described how she wanted to have flawless behaviour, like the royals’.
By that time, I had certifications in teaching children’s etiquette, business etiquette, and had studied international etiquette and protocol. So I combined these with my own experience and designed a programme for this client. It was only a few days later that another woman asked for the same.
Soon after this, I was approached by several royal families to teach their children.
Since then, I have had the opportunity to build a breadth of experience and to give my clients the flawless behaviour that allows them to lead in any situation.
Between then and now, my clients have approached me with all kinds of requirements and requests. I have helped them achieve a variety of outcomes, for example:
# The original women and others like them who are mixing with royalty and want to know their behaviour is impeccable;
# Ladies who want to uplevel their dating, and build strong social circles;
# Wives of businessmen and diplomats who want to know they are an asset when with their husbands in social and business situations;
# Women who want to become more influential in their community;
# Those who want to build a strong business and social network;
# Women and young ladies who want to converse and interact meaningfully as introverts;
# To develop a beautiful, feminine walk and posture (this is one of my favourite things to teach as it’s among the fastest ways to increase confidence and elevate one’s presence);
# To become more graceful and elegant;
# To attend formal events (and elegant dinners with their husbands!), and to shine wherever they are.
I also provide corporate trainings for staff and sales teams, including subjects like business etiquette for events, dining etiquette, hosting and entertaining, hospitality, cross-cultural trainings, and luxury selling.
The children’s work that inspired this business continues as I teach private courses and events for individuals or groups of children and teenagers. A few times a year, I offer group classes that are advertised publicly.
I feel incredibly privileged to do what I do, and I love the variety of work and the different clients that I support.
If you would like some information on what’s coming up at Swiss Etiquette, please see the events page on this website, or email me below for a brochure and to discuss your needs in full discretion. Your email goes to info @ swissetiquette.com.