lasses teaching youngsters the do's and don'ts of festive decorum have proved a soaraway success. And the brains behind Bermuda's school of etiquette believes the sessions show that the future of modern manners on the Island is in safe hands.

Nearly 20 youngsters ? aged between six and 13 ? attended two classes at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, organised by Trudy Snaith, of the Executive School of Protocol.

The children got the low-down on penning Christmas thank-you letters, correct behaviour at the dinner table, seating etiquette, table talk and general introductions. The aim was to give them "building blocks for a solid future ? through poise, confidence, integrity and leadership".

Mrs. Snaith said the youngsters were "very good". And she said the biggest encouragement was that they all enjoyed it.

She added: "They were very attentive and followed instructions very well. It was a very positive experience. Every single parent said that their children had asked them when the next class was.

"If the children themselves are asking when's the next one, that to me is very good."

Cynics might suggest that a course in modern manners is a futile form of resistance to the hustle and bustle of a modern-day world that leaves little time for old fashioned politeness.

Mrs. Snaith, however, denies she's fighting a lost cause. "These are skills they take with them through life. It's not just a phase."

She said she was particularly pleased by the behaviour of the two young boys who attended last Saturday's classes.

"One was aged six, the other was 12, and both were shown how to seat a young lady at the table. They did that very well."

Somerset resident Mrs. Snaith, who has further classes planned, added: "Etiquette is in good hands in Bermuda. The children were very receptive."

Meanwhile, parents who took their little ones to the Fairmont for the masterclass in manners have given the sessions top marks.

And one said the course produced immediate results.

Gina Butterfield said her two daughters, eight-year-old Kayleb and Carmel, six, spent the rest of the weekend correcting her table manners.

"They pointed out the positioning of the silverwear after a meal and said: 'Oh mummy, it's not like that'.

"The one thing about kids, if you do something wrong they'll let you know about it. I said to Trudy, there should be a class for children and parents at the same time!"

The Warwick resident said the sessions helped her children learn "rewarding" old fashioned graces, sometimes ignored in the hurly-burly of modern life.

"It is important that children can dress up, go to a nice restaurant and know how to behave," she told .

"They can't eat out of a Kentucky Fried Chicken box all the time."

Mrs. Butterfield, who works as an underwriter, said she knew of firms that ran similar courses for staff in their mid 20s and early 30s, from all over the world, not just Bermuda.

"It's important to have these skills," she added. "So if you start installing these values in children then you will raise a well-rounded society. Good manners are always good, no matter what the season."

The course has clearly had some impact; Kayleb and Carmel were writing thank you letters to Mrs. Snaith when we phoned to interview their mum.

Donna Darrell's eight-year-old daughter Jaymie also attended the Fairmont finishing school.

"She enjoyed the class and wants to go again," said the Southampton resident. "I'm going to put her in for more."

Jaymie is now an expert in cutting food correctly and sitting down to dinner. "I taught her these things at home," her mother said. "She's a lady at the table anyway. This is just re-enforcing everything."