Etiquette dinner serving up some class

Why in the world would anyone want to attend an etiquette dinner?  I asked myself the same question a couple of years ago when I had the opportunity to go for the first time.  I fiddled with the idea for a few days before deciding. At the very least, I would get a good meal out of the deal.

I went that first time expecting a few of the basics – which fork to use, how to spoon soup, etc., most of which I already knew.  However, by the end of the dinner, not only had I learned a few things, I had a few laughs and got to know my table mates a little better.  I had a lot of fun and a good meal!
I have gone ever since.  I drug my roommate along last year and though she was very unenthused about the whole idea, she did end up coming and had the same experience I did.

So, what is so special about the etiquette dinner?  Sponsored by Sodexo Catering and led by Ken Allen, the dinner gives students and faculty a chance to socialize in a semi-formal setting and learn about proper etiquette they can use outside of their college career. 
This is important because at some point, you might go out to a quasifancy business dinner and wish you had known some of this useful information when you end up feeling uncomfortable because you aren’t sure how to handle courses being served or the multiple forks and glasses. 

Worry no longer about that discomfort once you’ve been to the etiquette dinner!
Allen is sure to answer any questions, no matter how silly or simple, and you don’t even have to embarrass yourself. 

There are slips of paper on the table which can be filled out with a question and given to a server at any time.

I very much like the etiquette dinner, and though the material is similar every year, the experience is still very fun. 

One thing that would be really fun, would be if Sodexo or other campus services could provide other etiquette workshops similar to the dinner to cover other aspects of manners that can be used in the long run by students.

Perhaps a party etiquette workshop that covers everything from what to wear for certain parties, RSVPs, coming with and without a date, if you can dance/socialize without said date, and how to leave gracefully (without feeling obligated to stay longer).
Students would use something like that for work or acquaintance dinner parties, as well as other parties that may arise in a person’s life. 

Another kind of fun idea, though not as professional, would be dating etiquette.  This could cover anything from who pays, who can ask who on a date, how to break-up with someone benevolently, without ugly consequences, and how to communicate effectively with the person you’re dating. 

Students might use that kind of workshop information straightaway, or later after they leave college and are on their own. 

These types of workshops would do the same thing that the dinner does, and give students a chance to socialize and learn something which will be useful later in their lives. 
The dinner gives information which will ease discomfort during a situation which knowing the “rules” keeps one from feeling foolish.  This goes for any etiquette information.  If there is any situation where one is uncomfortable dealing with people or with certain aspects of a situation, something should be available to make that easier.

With us college students, this is especially important.  We’re supposed to be learning how to get along in the world on our own, so the same idea as the dinner could, and perhaps should, be extended to other areas of life as well.