In 1985, Mrs. Firth was inspired to bring social etiquette to the public education classroom. Development of a program entitled PromPrep™  led her to The Protocol School of Washington® to refine and polish her own skills. Specialized training along with her family's military background became the intellectual foundation for the creation of social etiquette programs now used in public and private education. She has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and business journals.

As a public speaker and instructor, Mrs. Firth has presented programs for The University of Pennsylvania Antique Show, Temple University. Bucks County Community College, private social clubs and major corporations.

Clients representing politics, business, and education have received etiquette and protocol counseling privately and in group-session. Mrs. Firth has developed programs such as White Gloves and Party Manners for elementary level and Protocol and Pleasures of Afternoon Tea for adults. To meet the needs of the aspiring business professional, she developed Dine With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, a four-course dining tutorial which includes interactive sessions on formal greetings, extending and receiving invitations, navigating safely at a business social, and effective business tactics -- a “must” for today’s “politically correct” world.



The Protocol School of Washington® is the first company to provide professional etiquette and protocol training and certification. Graduates of the school are providing the highest quality programs in North America and abroad.


Special Events

As an educator and curriculum developer,  Deborah Firth  has created specialty programs, some of which are listed below.  For more information, or to invite Deborah to participate in program custom designed for you, contact Deb via: 

  info@thebritanniahouse.com   and 610-256-5655.
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"Nothing indicates a well-bred man more than a proper mode of eating his dinner.  A man may pass muster by dressing well, and may sustain himself tolerably in conversation; but if he is not perfectly au fait, (up to date), dinner will betray him."   ....Agogos, 1834

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Business Etiquette
  Description Previous Locations


You Can Outclass The Competition with Social Intelligence !



 

 

 

If you ever get a choice between advanced physics and remedial dining skills, head for the knife and  fork...

Harvey Mackay,  Dine With The Sharks

 

 

Dress For Success

 

  

Executives on all levels require savvy and sophistication whether conducting business in private clubs, restaurants, or entertaining clients at home. This seminar provides tools and practice to give you the advantage in either situation.

  • Business Meal Strategies
  • Host/Hostess Duties
  • The Polished Toast
  • Silverware Savvy
  • Making small talk “easy speak.”

 

Bucks County Community College

Earl's, (Peddler's Village), Lahaska, PA

Princeton County Club

The Sedgeley Club,
Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive, Philadelphia, PA

The Radnor Hotel,
Radnor, PA

Lincoln Financial

The Moshulu

Philadelphia Cricket Club

 

Villanova University

Trident Mortgage

Dining Etiquette

 

Four - Course Formal Dining Tutorial

 This class is a three-hour class including a four-course dining tutorial one evening or Saturday/Sunday afternoon including interactive presentation and practice session.
Continental Style or American Style – which is best for you? This may be expanded to five, six, or seven courses.

Hotel Du Pont, Wilmington, Delaware

Historic Vickers Tavern, Exton, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Cricket Club

 

Cultural History of Dining

 "Rituals In Dining"

Ponder well on this point:  the pleasant hours of our life are all connected, by a more or less intangible link, with some memory of the table.

Monselet, 18th Century Gastronome

 

 This seminar is for dining historians, connoisseurs, and those interested in studying the traditions of the formal table.

There is a special emphasis on table design and the use of antique serve ware and vintage  flatware pieces on  the modern table.		 Chester County Historical Society, (CCHS) Antiques Show, West Chester, PA

The University Antique Show, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Main Line Newcomers Club,
Bryn Mawr, PA

Tea Etiquette &  Specialty Tea Programs

 

Tea 101

Including a brief history of tea, and four-course tea tutorial
     

“It is better to be deprived of rice for three days than be deprived of tea for one.”              Chinese Proverb


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Taking Tea for Business & Pleasure

Spanning 5,000 years, the history of tea is presented in an original and interactive program. Each evening is highlighted by tea-tasting and the enjoyment of one course of afternoon tea.
One and one-half hour classes, one weekday evening for 3 consecutive weeks, Includes study book, recipes, and valuable information exchange.

 This is a survey course that can be customized and/or condensed to a 40 minute interactive presentation.   

Many programs have featured vintage tea impedimenta and a full color pictorial program is a favorite keepsake. 

 

 

 

 

Uncertain about the protocol of taking afternoon tea with a business associate?  Meet Deborah for tea and let her tell you of her most famous tea experience!

 United State Navy Wives Club, Willow Grove, PA

United States Air Force,
Military attachés to Generals

Merion Cricket Club, Bryn Mawr, PA

Bucks County Community College, Evening School Division, PA
The Radnor Hunt Club, Malvern, PA


Temple University Adult Evening School, Ambler, PA

The Questers

Mainline Newcomers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various Tea Rooms

The Bellevue Hotel, Philadelphia, Tea with Barbara Bush


The Gaiwan - Tea 201

An in-depth study along with a practice and use of a the 500 year old Chinese drinking vessel, known as the gaiwan. Includes the  tasting of three single-estate teas. Registration fee includes bone china vessel, and reading materials. Textbook purchase optional.

  

Best of British Tea Room, Chestnut Hill, PA & Lahaska, PA

The Antique Store in Wayne,
Wayne, PA
 

Story of the Willow Pattern

 

The story represented by the Willow Pattern is universally familiar.  It is one of the most fascinating of all romantic fables; with a Shakespearean overtone of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. 

We invite all to bring in their favorite example of Willow.

 

 

 

University of Pennsylvania Antiques Show:

"The  History of the Color Blue"

Samovar Tea



 

 

 

  

Explore the 5000 year history of tea while sipping fresh tea from a samovar. The mysteries of full leaf tea prepared in the samovar are revealed in an historical perspective.

  

The Radnor Hunt Club, Malvern, PA

 

The Art of Tea -

 Tea 301

 

  

Five major contributions to the art world are studied to reveal the history of tea and tea accoutrements. Class Size Limited.

  

The Britannia House, Lahaska, PA

Bucks County Community College, Evening School Division, PA

Tea Etiquette For Children 


White Gloves and Tea Party Manners™

     

A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, because a very nearly tea is one that you forget about afterwards...       

Winnie the Pooh,   A.A. Milne

 

 

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American Girl's Tea

  

White Gloves and Tea Party Manners™ is for young people ages 7 – 11. Civility and manners are promoted through practice in role-play situations. Emphasis on introductions, phone courtesy, and table manners.

 

Tea With Teddy™, a B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bear) celebration of tea and etiquette for children under 7. Includes private tutorial and the book, A Child's Introduction to Tea.

 

American Girl's Tea - typically ages 5 - 7.    A celebration of the joys of collecting, dressing,  adoring and befriending an 18" doll.  Bring your best friend to tea.
 

  

Girl Scouts

Various Private Homes

The Radnor Hotel, Nationally recognized Children’s Tea Programs, Radnor, PA

 

Featured in National Etiquette Week Photo Essay

Britannia House

Various Private Homes

 

 

 

Britannia House

Various Private Homes

The Radnor Hotel

 

Dining Etiquette for Young Adults

 

"Yo, Pass the Bread!"

             

 

 

 From The Golden Arches to The White House In One Day was designed expressly for a High School Chorus who was invited to perform at The White House. This is a “crash course” for students “on the go” who need to practice the skills of receiving-line protocol, formal introductions, and dining etiquette.

Public School Choir, with invitation to The White House, Washington, D.C

Trenton County Club
and various other private clubs.

Various private clubs cotillion classes.

Prom Prep™


“They Look Great But They Are Only Half Way There!”

 Developed and integrated with 2000 PA State Guidelines for Public Education: Family & Consumer Science Curriculum. Developed by staff professionals certified by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Education

Capitalizing upon the student’s natural enthusiasm for proms and related rites of passage, The Protocol School at Britannia House, has developed a seminar for students and trainers to increase civility, promote self-confidence, and most importantly, teach social responsibility. Seminars may be one-day or customized to the needs of your student community.
Topics include receiving line etiquette, prom promises & security, budgeting time & money, post prom plans, and being a master of disaster.