Saturday, March 18, 2023

Cotillion Class


Yes, I used to teach such classes in my home. From Southern Living:

For many who grow up in the South, cotillion classes are a rite of passage. Parents see them as a way for their children to learn social graces, while the children likely see them as a torturous excuse for wearing Sunday clothes on a weekday.

While different cotillion programs school their students in different things (some blend ballroom dance instruction with lessons in table etiquette, while others focus on dance), the overarching principle of cotillion classes is the same: Students are taught how to be respectful, polite members of their communities. It's about looking someone in the eye when you speak to them, holding the door for the person walking in behind you, and asking someone who's standing alone at a party to dance.

From who attends to social lessons learned along the way, here's the etiquette you can expect to learn at cotillion class.

What Is Cotillion?

It's this dedication to good manners and common courtesy, perhaps, that's made cotillion such a mainstay of Southern culture, where commitment to gracious behavior reigns supreme. For children, cotillion is another place where the manners and etiquette that parents teach at home can be publicly practiced and reinforced.

Who Attends and What Should You Wear?

From fourth through seventh grades, fall through spring, I spent my Wednesday evenings in a historic society hall downtown, clad in a tea-length dress, white gloves, and cream tights (going bare-legged was not allowed). Nowadays, dress codes are similar, though those tights may be optional. Boys wear long pants, collared shirts, a coat, and a tie. (Read more.)

 

And the difference between a cotillion dance and a debutante call, HERE.

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