A school of etiquette might conjure up images of Jane Austen novels, when well-to-do ladies elegantly sipped tea in lavish country gardens.

But Trudy Snaith is on a one-woman mission to bring some good old fashioned manners back to modern day Bermuda.

If you need the do's and dont's on a host of protocol pitfalls, Mrs. Snaith from the Executive School of Protocol is on hand to help you mind those all-important Ps and Qs.

Forget about gentlemen walking by the roadside in the rain so their female companions don't get splashed by a passing horse and carriage.

Her areas of expertise deal with 21st century social dilemmas: from tips on how to handle cutlery and napkins at posh restaurants, advice about penning thank-you notes, right through to sailing through meetings with German businessmen.

She said that many people thought of 19th century novels when it came to etiquette training, but stressed the rules have evolved over time to stay relevant. "These are skills that people really need to be successful in the modern world.

"I think there's a definite need for them," added the expert, who specialises in corporate manners and is now branching out into youth etiquette.

"But things seem to have fallen by the wayside.

"The family unit is not as cohesive as it used to be. People are not sitting down at the table as much as they used to and, because of today's world, children are growing up and not knowing these things."

As Mrs. Snaith, 56, outlined the way she aims to transform uncouth youths into savvy sirs and sophisticated misses ? while at the same time turning corporate slouches into protocol pros ? she gave five golden rules of good manners.

Sadly, we broke two before the interview even started ? turning up a few minutes late and arriving at the Fairmont Princess in a slightly bedraggled state after a quick dash across town.

First impressions are vital, she told us after we slowly regained some composure and finally stopped sweating.

She added: "The basic rule of manners is to consider the feelings of others.

"In a competitive world, people have become more self-centred and have stopped considering others so there is less chance of someone responding to you favourably."

In a diverse global economy, she reckons getting the low-down on international protocol is a must for any high-flying businessman hoping to claw their way to the top of the corporate ladder.

"The world is becoming more global and people need to be aware of different cultures," she said. "This is why international protocol is important, so you improve your chances of success by being prepared."

She listed numerous ways people can present themselves in a positive light in the world of work.

A limp handshake, she states as one example, won't help clinch many business deals. "If it's limp or cold or sweaty or firm you form impressions," she said. "You might not be aware of it, but you do."

Cultural differences between east and west also needed to be noted.

"If you went to some Middle Eastern countries, it can be normal to be kept waiting for 30 minutes before a meeting," recalled Mrs. Snaith. "It's helpful to know in advance that this is the normal procedure ? and that before you get angry no apology is needed."

In a bid to avoid such traps, Mrs. Snaith prepares country briefs for jet-setting executives sent to foreign shores. These fact-files contain cultural tips and a few handy phrases to get conversations started on a good footing.

Research into the German psyche recently threw up some interesting examples. As a result, anyone involved in a meeting in a Hamburg boardroom should not be surprised if they get a straight-faced response from their host.

"Most people think that smiling means things are OK," said the etiquette expert. "But not smiling in Germany does not mean that business is going badly."

Such subtle differences can prove crucial and she added: "People are not always prepared to adjust but it's important for business people here in Bermuda to be aware of differences.

"Anyone can deal with different situations if they are prepared for them."

The mother-of-two got interested in etiquette at the tender age of ten when a course she attended left a lasting impression.

Now her children have grown up ("perfect examples of etiquette and manners") and she had a little more time on her hands, her thoughts last year turned to revisiting protocol in a bid to make Bermuda more civil.

Mrs. Snaith has creditations under her belt from the Protocol School of Washington, The American School of Protocol and the International Association of Protocol Consultants.

But despite all that experience, how does she plan to transform the behaviour of potentially more difficult clients: youngsters and teenagers, a section of society not always noted for their decorum.

The first session, in the grand surrounds of the Fairmont Princess, sets out to help children aged eight to 12 prepare for the Christmas holiday season.

Topics include extending and accepting invites, writing thank-you notes, making eye contact, seating etiquette, navigating a menu and table talk. The aim is to give them "building blocks for a solid future ? through poise, confidence, integrity and leadership".

The December course will last for three hours, but Mrs. Snaith says that parents tearing their hair out about their children's table manners can often reap fast rewards. "They can see the results straight away, like when they see their children sitting up straight at the table."

Other 'Young Diplomat' seminars, some aimed at older youngsters, will help "tomorrow's leaders" fit into society by touching on good grooming, classroom behaviour and travel tips.

"Your presentation is very important," said Mrs. Snaith. "A lot of little boys think it's good to brush their teeth once a week."

She continued: "It's not hard for children to be reminded about good manners. Our generation is responsible for passing on these things to the generation behind us. If you don't, it becomes our problem."

Somerset-based Mrs. Snaith ? former owner of Bermuda's first full classical music store, Opus Encore ? says her sessions help parents juggling two or three jobs who simply don't have time to teach their children social rights and wrongs in such detail.

Some children might prove harder to work with than others, she says, although she denies that anyone is "beyond saving".

"A lot of behaviour you see is the influence of groups, but you have to tell youngsters what's expected of them and what's correct. Maybe somewhere along the line it will sink in and influence them later.

"If you put the information out there at appropriate times it's going to resurface when people get into certain situations, meaning their chances of success will be better if you follow certain procedures."

The former school nurse said the current climate meant that she rarely corrects rowdy children unless hired to do so. But she added: "Children need to be aware early on that they are sharing space with others. If not, it breeds a lack of responsibility."

She reckons Bermuda, where a simple 'good morning, how are you' between passers-by is still widespread, is receptive to etiquette improvement.

"The potential is there. It might be somewhat repressed because of the pressures of today's society. We've forgotten about doing these sorts of things because we are busy with the business of surviving to make ends meet.

"But it's important because it can make a big difference to our chances of success.

"Good manners are not expensive. It's something we all have in ourselves and can make our lives a lot richer."

And the etiquette expert certainly practices what she preaches. A short while after our interview, she sent a letter thanking us for taking the time to interview her.

For information about her courses, call Mrs. Snaith on 505 8358.