While some will be spending Valentine’s Day with their sweethearts, a group of Simpson juniors and seniors will be learning about proper table etiquette in order to help them in the real world.

This is the second time Simpson has sponsored the etiquette dinner. Del Shepard, director of career services, hopes it will help prepare students as they approach graduation. During the event, a small group will receive instruction as to which behaviors they should have while eating at the dinner table during a job interview.

“A lot of colleges are doing this now,” Shepard said. “We want students to have a comfort level in being able to meet potential employers and have confidence and not worrying about which utensil to use.”

The etiquette dinner will be an important step in moving on after college, according to Shepard.

“More companies are using dinners as part of the interview process,” Shepard said. “[Gould] will talk about etiquette over a meal, proper eating etiquette, and what not to do at the table.”

In addition to career services, Greek Life also got involved in sponsoring this event.

“They’re contributing financially to help reduce the cost,” Lindsey Hunzelman, assistant director of student activities and Greek adviser, said. “They’re also helping to promote it in their chapters.”

Callista Gould, a certified etiquette instructor and host of the event, is no stranger to Simpson College.

“This is the second time I’ve been to an etiquette dinner, and I’ve been to Pi Beta Phi for a mother-daughter dinner,” Gould said. “I walked them through table manners.”

As a certified etiquette instructor, Gould has traveled the world instructing people on how to use proper etiquette.

“I go to businesses, colleges and various organizations and I walk them through manners,” Gould said. “I’ve also been to China to give a talk to Chinese students on American etiquette.”

During the event, Gould said she will focus mostly on manners, as well as proper behavior.

“I’m walking them through table manners,” Gould said. “I will also be talking about cocktail parties, luncheon or dinner interviews and host and guest protocol.”

Both Shepard and Gould stressed the importance of learning proper etiquette.

“It can make a difference in somebody’s career with how they behave at the table,” Gould said. “There are clues people learn from your table behavior.”

He also said Simpson hopes to make this an annual event.

“We figure by the time they graduate, every student will participate,” Shepard said.

All involved said that this event will be very beneficial to those who attend.

“We’re just hoping for a good turnout,” Hunzelman said. “It can be very beneficial to those going to the job market soon.”

Both Shepard and Gould stressed the importance of learning proper etiquette.

“It can make a difference in somebody’s career with how they behave at the table,” Gould said. “There are clues people learn from your table behavior.”

Gould also knows the impact of the event for the students who attend.

“It’s great that Simpson College hosts something like this, because it shows they really care about preparing students for the real world,” Gould said.