Anonymous wrote:I have been following the wonderfully snarky posts regarding Mrs. Simpson's classes for several years now. After having the opportunity to participate in both "clubs", I would like to comment on each individually and point out what I have witnessed thus far.

Capital Cotillion has their dance classes at a local church in DC. Arriving was a bit busy , they have tables set up welcoming the children, and parents alike. As I looked through the glass window, the children were dancing, many girls without stockings or hose of any kind. Many of the boys wearing shoes such as Docksiders and Sperry. The information page if any of the parents would realize that they should actually read and prepare their children accordingly, was sent out early enough to shop for appropriate clothing and shoes.
Capital Cotillion uses plastic glasses for the punch, which is fine, but my daughter is used to drinking from glass.

Chairs are set up in the room, and parents may stay the entire time and watch which I do not believe is a wonderful idea.

Mrs. Simpson's class is held a ballroom they purchased and use which is appropriate for such an event. When the children arrive and walk through the outer door, ties are straightened, and children are greeted properly. Parents are not invited into the ballroom, or even the foyer for that matter, however, children are there to learn, so I am not offended.
Lemonade is served in glasses. Stockings are required and are not an option, which is completely acceptable. When I was growing up, (I am 48) my mother wore stockings every day. During my teens twenties and thirties and now I wear stockings with a dress. This is normal.

If you want your child to learn proper manners, dancing and social graces, Mrs. Simpson's is the way to go, and if you are ok with casual, Capital Cotillion is more casual.

I hosted a pre-party for the girls going to to the dance featuring, yes, crystal, china, serving trays and the like in the dining room of my home. My daughter was in horror the night before worried about what her friends would think and worrying about what they would do with the china and crystal. She remarked, mommy, what if someone breaks something? I told her that she needs to learn to act in social settings now, not later. My daughter is in 4th grade. The pre-party was such a success the girls talked about it all night. They kept saying when they walked into the dining room, "Wow, china and crystal". They were amazed that I set the table for a formal tea for them!!

These kinds of things set your children apart in social situations and many other times as well.

Both clubs are fine, however, my choice is Mrs. Simpson's, as I would like for my daughter to present polished and gracious.

One note: why does Capital Cotillion have the "rule" page if the "rules" are not followed and they continue to say ok. It lessens the quality of the program. I watched the Capital heads, let all kids in and this was not the first time. Rules are made for a reason.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They say that you cannot buy class. But Mrs Simpson's really does prove that you can.

I have some very good friends who, though they had done extremely well financially, remained a little "rough around the edges". An example: at one luncheon I noticed one of them drinking from the finger bowl.

For people such as this, Mrs Simpson's provides a truly wonderful opportunity to ascend the social scale: if not for them then at least for their children. One cannot put a price on an opportunity like this. Whilst I love these friends dearly, and would do anything for them, their Coarseness has always created a certain distance between my husband and I and them.

Thanks to Mrs. Simpson's, our children will no longer know this same distance. Their six children have truly turned into lovely young adults there.

I think it you have the opportunity and the funds to do something like this, you should. Yes, it may result in your children looking down on you slightly as a result, but do we not all hope for our children to be better than ourselves? And the location is simply fabulous - nothing exudes class and taste like Potomac.

I rarely LOL while reading DCUM, but this was brilliant!

Hmmm, I disagree. You do know that the slamming of Potomac on this site and in DC-at-large has always had a very ugly anti-Semetic undertone, right?!? The fact that Potomac has a large Jewish population has made it a target in what used to be WASP-Washington. It is quite ugly to see you perpetuate that awful stereotype -- think dog-whistle terms like "class" and "taste" being antithetical to Potomac. Ugly and anti-Semetic.

Funny that Mrs. Simpson's is so often painted with this brush, yet, here it is you, who seem to be swimming in your own self-justified anti-Semitism.

Signed,
A Potomac, Jewish mother who's kids attend Mrs. Simpsons. (P.S. The same Jewish mother who's WASP, Catholic, African American, hispanic friends all get together before Mrs. Simpson's with our kids). Diversity: give it a try.

Oh, please. Stop trying to turn this into something it's not.

Anonymous wrote:I have been following the wonderfully snarky posts regarding Mrs. Simpson's classes for several years now. After having the opportunity to participate in both "clubs", I would like to comment on each individually and point out what I have witnessed thus far.

Capital Cotillion has their dance classes at a local church in DC. Arriving was a bit busy , they have tables set up welcoming the children, and parents alike. As I looked through the glass window, the children were dancing, many girls without stockings or hose of any kind. Many of the boys wearing shoes such as Docksiders and Sperry. The information page if any of the parents would realize that they should actually read and prepare their children accordingly, was sent out early enough to shop for appropriate clothing and shoes.
Capital Cotillion uses plastic glasses for the punch, which is fine, but my daughter is used to drinking from glass.

Chairs are set up in the room, and parents may stay the entire time and watch which I do not believe is a wonderful idea.

Mrs. Simpson's class is held a ballroom they purchased and use which is appropriate for such an event. When the children arrive and walk through the outer door, ties are straightened, and children are greeted properly. Parents are not invited into the ballroom, or even the foyer for that matter, however, children are there to learn, so I am not offended.
Lemonade is served in glasses. Stockings are required and are not an option, which is completely acceptable. When I was growing up, (I am 48) my mother wore stockings every day. During my teens twenties and thirties and now I wear stockings with a dress. This is normal.

If you want your child to learn proper manners, dancing and social graces, Mrs. Simpson's is the way to go, and if you are ok with casual, Capital Cotillion is more casual.

I hosted a pre-party for the girls going to to the dance featuring, yes, crystal, china, serving trays and the like in the dining room of my home. My daughter was in horror the night before worried about what her friends would think and worrying about what they would do with the china and crystal. She remarked, mommy, what if someone breaks something? I told her that she needs to learn to act in social settings now, not later. My daughter is in 4th grade. The pre-party was such a success the girls talked about it all night. They kept saying when they walked into the dining room, "Wow, china and crystal". They were amazed that I set the table for a formal tea for them!!

These kinds of things set your children apart in social situations and many other times as well.

Both clubs are fine, however, my choice is Mrs. Simpson's, as I would like for my daughter to present polished and gracious.

One note: why does Capital Cotillion have the "rule" page if the "rules" are not followed and they continue to say ok. It lessens the quality of the program. I watched the Capital heads, let all kids in and this was not the first time. Rules are made for a reason.

Anonymous wrote:I have been following the wonderfully snarky posts regarding Mrs. Simpson's classes for several years now. After having the opportunity to participate in both "clubs", I would like to comment on each individually and point out what I have witnessed thus far.

Capital Cotillion has their dance classes at a local church in DC. Arriving was a bit busy , they have tables set up welcoming the children, and parents alike. As I looked through the glass window, the children were dancing, many girls without stockings or hose of any kind. Many of the boys wearing shoes such as Docksiders and Sperry. The information page if any of the parents would realize that they should actually read and prepare their children accordingly, was sent out early enough to shop for appropriate clothing and shoes.
Capital Cotillion uses plastic glasses for the punch, which is fine, but my daughter is used to drinking from glass.

Chairs are set up in the room, and parents may stay the entire time and watch which I do not believe is a wonderful idea.

Mrs. Simpson's class is held a ballroom they purchased and use which is appropriate for such an event. When the children arrive and walk through the outer door, ties are straightened, and children are greeted properly. Parents are not invited into the ballroom, or even the foyer for that matter, however, children are there to learn, so I am not offended.
Lemonade is served in glasses. Stockings are required and are not an option, which is completely acceptable. When I was growing up, (I am 48) my mother wore stockings every day. During my teens twenties and thirties and now I wear stockings with a dress. This is normal.

If you want your child to learn proper manners, dancing and social graces, Mrs. Simpson's is the way to go, and if you are ok with casual, Capital Cotillion is more casual.

I hosted a pre-party for the girls going to to the dance featuring, yes, crystal, china, serving trays and the like in the dining room of my home. My daughter was in horror the night before worried about what her friends would think and worrying about what they would do with the china and crystal. She remarked, mommy, what if someone breaks something? I told her that she needs to learn to act in social settings now, not later. My daughter is in 4th grade. The pre-party was such a success the girls talked about it all night. They kept saying when they walked into the dining room, "Wow, china and crystal". They were amazed that I set the table for a formal tea for them!!

These kinds of things set your children apart in social situations and many other times as well.

Both clubs are fine, however, my choice is Mrs. Simpson's, as I would like for my daughter to present polished and gracious.

One note: why does Capital Cotillion have the "rule" page if the "rules" are not followed and they continue to say ok. It lessens the quality of the program. I watched the Capital heads, let all kids in and this was not the first time. Rules are made for a reason.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They say that you cannot buy class. But Mrs Simpson's really does prove that you can.

I have some very good friends who, though they had done extremely well financially, remained a little "rough around the edges". An example: at one luncheon I noticed one of them drinking from the finger bowl.

For people such as this, Mrs Simpson's provides a truly wonderful opportunity to ascend the social scale: if not for them then at least for their children. One cannot put a price on an opportunity like this. Whilst I love these friends dearly, and would do anything for them, their Coarseness has always created a certain distance between my husband and I and them.

Thanks to Mrs. Simpson's, our children will no longer know this same distance. Their six children have truly turned into lovely young adults there.

I think it you have the opportunity and the funds to do something like this, you should. Yes, it may result in your children looking down on you slightly as a result, but do we not all hope for our children to be better than ourselves? And the location is simply fabulous - nothing exudes class and taste like Potomac.

I rarely LOL while reading DCUM, but this was brilliant!

Hmmm, I disagree. You do know that the slamming of Potomac on this site and in DC-at-large has always had a very ugly anti-Semetic undertone, right?!? The fact that Potomac has a large Jewish population has made it a target in what used to be WASP-Washington. It is quite ugly to see you perpetuate that awful stereotype -- think dog-whistle terms like "class" and "taste" being antithetical to Potomac. Ugly and anti-Semetic.

Funny that Mrs. Simpson's is so often painted with this brush, yet, here it is you, who seem to be swimming in your own self-justified anti-Semitism.

Signed,
A Potomac, Jewish mother who's kids attend Mrs. Simpsons. (P.S. The same Jewish mother who's WASP, Catholic, African American, hispanic friends all get together before Mrs. Simpson's with our kids). Diversity: give it a try.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They say that you cannot buy class. But Mrs Simpson's really does prove that you can.

I have some very good friends who, though they had done extremely well financially, remained a little "rough around the edges". An example: at one luncheon I noticed one of them drinking from the finger bowl.

For people such as this, Mrs Simpson's provides a truly wonderful opportunity to ascend the social scale: if not for them then at least for their children. One cannot put a price on an opportunity like this. Whilst I love these friends dearly, and would do anything for them, their Coarseness has always created a certain distance between my husband and I and them.

Thanks to Mrs. Simpson's, our children will no longer know this same distance. Their six children have truly turned into lovely young adults there.

I think it you have the opportunity and the funds to do something like this, you should. Yes, it may result in your children looking down on you slightly as a result, but do we not all hope for our children to be better than ourselves? And the location is simply fabulous - nothing exudes class and taste like Potomac.

I rarely LOL while reading DCUM, but this was brilliant!

Hmmm, I disagree. You do know that the slamming of Potomac on this site and in DC-at-large has always had a very ugly anti-Semetic undertone, right?!? The fact that Potomac has a large Jewish population has made it a target in what used to be WASP-Washington. It is quite ugly to see you perpetuate that awful stereotype -- think dog-whistle terms like "class" and "taste" being antithetical to Potomac. Ugly and anti-Semetic.

Funny that Mrs. Simpson's is so often painted with this brush, yet, here it is you, who seem to be swimming in your own self-justified anti-Semitism.

Signed,
A Potomac, Jewish mother who's kids attend Mrs. Simpsons. (P.S. The same Jewish mother who's WASP, Catholic, African American, hispanic friends all get together before Mrs. Simpson's with our kids). Diversity: give it a try.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They say that you cannot buy class. But Mrs Simpson's really does prove that you can.

I have some very good friends who, though they had done extremely well financially, remained a little "rough around the edges". An example: at one luncheon I noticed one of them drinking from the finger bowl.

For people such as this, Mrs Simpson's provides a truly wonderful opportunity to ascend the social scale: if not for them then at least for their children. One cannot put a price on an opportunity like this. Whilst I love these friends dearly, and would do anything for them, their Coarseness has always created a certain distance between my husband and I and them.

Thanks to Mrs. Simpson's, our children will no longer know this same distance. Their six children have truly turned into lovely young adults there.

I think it you have the opportunity and the funds to do something like this, you should. Yes, it may result in your children looking down on you slightly as a result, but do we not all hope for our children to be better than ourselves? And the location is simply fabulous - nothing exudes class and taste like Potomac.

I rarely LOL while reading DCUM, but this was brilliant!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The more fascinating question is how Mrs. Husband'sFirstName Husband'sMiddleName Husband'sLastName gets her white-gloved hands on the private, not-ever-to-be-used-for-commercial-purposes family directories of most of the NW DC private schools, and uses them year after year with impunity. Or is she just buying access to the list of registered Republicans in NW DC?

In the case of our school, the name of a current parent is listed at the bottom of the application, as being the parent who "nominated" us. I have never heard of this woman or this family in my life. So I suspect that current Simpson parents at all of the area private schools turn over the directories, and Simpson takes it and runs with it. I doubt she pays a dime for it.

Anonymous wrote:They say that you cannot buy class. But Mrs Simpson's really does prove that you can.

I have some very good friends who, though they had done extremely well financially, remained a little "rough around the edges". An example: at one luncheon I noticed one of them drinking from the finger bowl.

For people such as this, Mrs Simpson's provides a truly wonderful opportunity to ascend the social scale: if not for them then at least for their children. One cannot put a price on an opportunity like this. Whilst I love these friends dearly, and would do anything for them, their Coarseness has always created a certain distance between my husband and I and them.

Thanks to Mrs. Simpson's, our children will no longer know this same distance. Their six children have truly turned into lovely young adults there.

I think it you have the opportunity and the funds to do something like this, you should. Yes, it may result in your children looking down on you slightly as a result, but do we not all hope for our children to be better than ourselves? And the location is simply fabulous - nothing exudes class and taste like Potomac.

Anonymous wrote:They say that you cannot buy class. But Mrs Simpson's really does prove that you can.

I have some very good friends who, though they had done extremely well financially, remained a little "rough around the edges". An example: at one luncheon I noticed one of them drinking from the finger bowl.

For people such as this, Mrs Simpson's provides a truly wonderful opportunity to ascend the social scale: if not for them then at least for their children. One cannot put a price on an opportunity like this. Whilst I love these friends dearly, and would do anything for them, their Coarseness has always created a certain distance between my husband and I and them.

Thanks to Mrs. Simpson's, our children will no longer know this same distance. Their six children have truly turned into lovely young adults there.

I think it you have the opportunity and the funds to do something like this, you should. Yes, it may result in your children looking down on you slightly as a result, but do we not all hope for our children to be better than ourselves? And the location is simply fabulous - nothing exudes class and taste like Potomac.

Anonymous wrote:
This American commercial subversion sounds fascinating and grotesque.

Old aristocratic families in Europe have ditched the Debutante balls for generations. They were created to present young ladies of impeccable lineage to their Queen and to be married off to equally respectable court gentlemen.
My mother, who could have had her Bal des Debutantes and been formally presented to the French Bourbon heirs (the Royal Family, the most widely accepted claimants to the non-existent throne), never even gave it a thought. She preferred to watch the students throw pavement stones during the Revolution of May '68.

It's so interesting to see the global flux of perceived status and deportment. People around the world take up antiquated traditions even when the original institutions and their reasons for so doing have died out.

Anonymous wrote:Ms. Simpson sounds more like cotillion than Debutante. For those who want to criticize the south for Debutante festivities, you must not know that it exists in most big cities in the United States, even Denver. Ms. Simpson's seems more like a business than a real Deb process. I did both Cotillion and was presented at Debutante Ball (yes, in the south) and I had a great time -- some of the fun times with my Mom -- the mother/daughter teas, making creative thank you notes as the pre-Deb ball parties were in various neighboring towns, and performing community service throughout the Deb season.