In 2006, President Leonel Fernandez’s PLD won a majority of both houses of the Dominican congress (Chamber of Deputies and Sendaores.) The first order of business? These new functionarios were given “courses on etiquette aimed at helping them to learn how to behave at public and private functions, table manners, and to dress correctly for every occasion” (Diario libre 9/1/06.) This did not inspire confidence in anyone who was paying attention. How can we expect the men and women of our government to have the intellectual maturity, wisdom, and education to fix the complex educational, economic, and institutional problems of a struggling country when they must first be taught how to eat with utensils? The acquision of basic manners typically comes before any real education and not vice-versa. Although, I must admit, when I was 12 years old I waited in line directly behind Tip O’Neil as he fed himself raw seafood from a buffet using only his hands (true story.)
Well, maybe this is less than confidence inspiring... but then again, you have to start somewhere, and someone has to set the example.. the fact that it was reported in a public fashion can lead one to hope that over the coming years it will continue and become the norm, and not something newsworthy.
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