Cotillion

[AustinTink]

Did any of your kids do cotillion? What did they get out of it?

My son was invited this year, and we declined. I may *force* him to do it next year. He is not the least bit interested.

 

[kacaju]

Did any of your kids do cotillion? What did they get out of it?

My son was invited this year, and we declined. I may *force* him to do it next year. He is not the least bit interested.

What is cotillion?? I havwe never heard of it.

 

[AustinTink]

What is cotillion?? I havwe never heard of it.

I wonder if it's just a southern thing?

He is young, so it would be junior cotillion. An example...

http://www.nljc.com/

"Junior Cotillion, with a three year curriculum, is designed to give young people instruction and practice in the courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them; to give them thorough training in standard ballroom dance; and to provide opportunities to practice and enjoy these skills at memorable parties, balls, dinners and events, complete with decorations, refreshments, favors and prizes."

 

[LuvOrlando]

Ohhh, that sounds so glamorous. Is it co-ed? I always assumed it was a meet & greet for a certain subset of society (wealthy or prominent families), sort of like a neighborhood 'frat/sorority' program designed to make introductions. The closest I've ever come was the Cotillion I saw in "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil"

 

[Tink888]

I think it might be more of a southern thing. We have never had it in this area.

As a girl/woman, it sounds like a lot of fun. Having two sons myself, I can understand why your son wants no part of it. The idea of watching paint dry probably sounds like a more enjoyable experience to him.

Given the opportunity I'd might enroll my sons. With boys, you can never have too much practice learning social graces.

 

[kirbsam]

havent heard much of cotillions since the howells annual cotillion on gilligans island. the one that the skipper thought he didnt get invited to. saddest episode there was.

 

[kacaju]

Is this a big thing in your area? Do your friends children all go? I would never force my kids do to something like that unless it was something that many of their friends also did.

 

[marcyinPA]

Must be a southern thing....nothing remotely close to that up here in the NE! I don't think I could get my boys to participate in something like that....

 

[Tinijocaro]

When I was in music grad school in Akron, OH, we used to play for cotillions. They would hire a small orchestra to play the Blue Danube Waltz and other nice dancing songs. The kids were all dressed up-suits for the boys and fancy dresses for the girls.

I wouldn't ever force my child to go to that.

 

[asta]

My daughters did this when they were in 6th grade. Around here it is only a one year thing for most of the students. I think it is a great idea. They learn all of the basic manner things such as table manners, how to politely go through a buffet line, how to introduce yourself and others and a few basic dance steps. My favorite were the dance manners. They had two formal balls. The rules were that each boy had to ask a girl to dance with them for every dance at the ball. They were not allowed to ask the same girl twice. The girls were not allowed to say no. That gave everyone experience and helped give the boys courage to ask someone. (The number of boys and girls in each class were evenly matched. There was always a waiting list for girls but they were looking for guys.)

 

[TLuvsD]

My D did COtillion in middle school (in California). It only meets about 6 times a year or so, one is a costume party. Lots of focus on basic dances, manners. The last year is Supper Club, including basics on which fork to use, handling a buffet line, etc. She had fun, but was with a group from her school. I think the kids ALL got a lot of out it. My neighbor's son joined (after D) and she thinks he got a lot out of it, too.

 

[NCRedding]

My DD did cotillion for 2 years in 5th and 6th grade. I asked her to do it the first year, and was surprised that she wanted to do it for a second. In our community, we have a good number of boys who are also interested so it was an even mix of boys to girls.

She got an introduction to dance steps, formal etiquette, and a chance to see her classmates in a formal social setting. I thought it was adorable seeing the girls dressed up, and all the guys in their blue jackets, ties and khakis. DD and friends enjoyed it and still make reference to it 7 or 8 years later.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

LOL, my DS16 referenced, Mrs. Cox, his cotillion coach a few weeks ago. We were at a funeral and he said, "Gentlemen keep their jackets buttoned until they are seated." I guess some things do stick with them!

 

[jackemail]

Grandson did it in 6th grade---didn't particularly hate it or enjoy it. However, when his sister made it to 6th grade and was thinking of opting out, he blasted her by saying "You have to go because it helps you with your manners".

Of course, he probably wanted her to go because he had to. She ended up loving every minute of it.

 

[AustinTink]

Thanks for the feedback. A little background. Most of the kids at his school were invited, and I'd say that half chose to participate. Of those, about half really enjoy it.

Cotillion was a big thing when I was growing up. My siblings and I were invited, my parents declined. My dad said he knew the people who ran it and he would never trust any of them to teach his kids proper etiquette!

 

[AustinTink]

My daughters did this when they were in 6th grade. Around here it is only a one year thing for most of the students. I think it is a great idea. They learn all of the basic manner things such as table manners, how to politely go through a buffet line, how to introduce yourself and others and a few basic dance steps. My favorite were the dance manners. They had two formal balls. The rules were that each boy had to ask a girl to dance with them for every dance at the ball. They were not allowed to ask the same girl twice. The girls were not allowed to say no. That gave everyone experience and helped give the boys courage to ask someone. (The number of boys and girls in each class were evenly matched. There was always a waiting list for girls but they were looking for guys.)

This is what I like. We have always enforced table manners and proper social etiquette in our home and out in public. I feel like I would get less eye rolling if my boy could see all the other kids doing the same. Because right now I'm just the etiquette police and "nobody else does that, Mom".

 

[AustinTink]

My D did COtillion in middle school (in California). It only meets about 6 times a year or so, one is a costume party. Lots of focus on basic dances, manners. The last year is Supper Club, including basics on which fork to use, handling a buffet line, etc. She had fun, but was with a group from her school. I think the kids ALL got a lot of out it. My neighbor's son joined (after D) and she thinks he got a lot out of it, too.

You see this is the what's going on with my son and the other boys. All their friends that are girls are doing cotillion, so it has sparked a slight bit of interest.

 

[AustinTink]

My DD did cotillion for 2 years in 5th and 6th grade. I asked her to do it the first year, and was surprised that she wanted to do it for a second. In our community, we have a good number of boys who are also interested so it was an even mix of boys to girls.

She got an introduction to dance steps, formal etiquette, and a chance to see her classmates in a formal social setting. I thought it was adorable seeing the girls dressed up, and all the guys in their blue jackets, ties and khakis. DD and friends enjoyed it and still make reference to it 7 or 8 years later.

This! What a nice change that would be. Even though the kids wear uniforms to school, they still manage to look sloppy!

 

[Keli]

The southern gentleman....that reputation is probably due, in part, to Cotillion.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I recall lucyanna girl (Penny) here posted about her daughter, The Dark Dancer (Sarah) here, doing a cotillion some years back. You might send Penny a PM, here is her link.....

http://www.disboards.com/member.php?u=79230