Marianne Haney Brennan on the importance of manners today ~ "We need to get back to being kind to each other. . .we're in a sad state of affairs right now and it breaks my heart. And that's why I teach etiquette from A to Z. I don't care. You know what? Time goes on but manners don't change. Manners are manners. Whether they were the 1800s or they're the 2019." Marianne Haney Brennan, Etiquette Coach, and host Andy Ockershausen in studio interview Andy Ockershausen: This is Andy Ockershausen. This is Our Town speaking and I wanted to explain to her, this is not an interview. We are having a conversation. Marianne Brennan, welcome to Our Town. Marianne Haney Brennan: Andy I am so just excited to be here and honored. I can't tell you anything else other than that. Andy Ockershausen: Well I'm afraid to say Haney because nobody will know what that mean. Marianne Haney Brennan: Oh no, I love it call me Haney. Andy Ockershausen: But you know, Marianne Haney. Marianne is local, a local girl. As a matter of fact, she's fifth generation Washingtonian and her daughter is now six generation. I'm only third and I feel like a newcomer. Haney, it's amazing to see you and you look great. Marianne Haney Brennan is Fifth Generation Washingtonian Marianne Haney Brennan: Oh my gosh. Andy Ockershausen: And I've have known you for so long and follow your many different careers. But this one now is made for you, etiquette. Marianne Haney Brennan: Etiquette. It is. Andy Ockershausen: And you have a class in Georgetown. Where do you teach? Etiquette Coach | Custom Classes for Schools and Corporations Marianne Haney Brennan: No, actually I go all over. I custom make my classes. I'll do anything that parents want me to do. I've actually in the last six months been called in to places like Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney to talk to the young guys. Andy Ockershausen: To the guys. Marianne Haney Brennan: About proper dressing, shined shoes, all that good stuff that has seemed to be lost in the shuffle. Andy Ockershausen: I don't think so Marianne. Because guys need help too. Marianne Haney Brennan: Oh totally. Andy Ockershausen: As you well know, this etiquette is not just important to the young ladies, but I found it's true that most men are very rude and they need etiquette. And these companies you mentioned are big, big companies. Marianne Haney Brennan: Big companies, yeah. Andy Ockershausen: So you don't travel to school, you travel you. Epidemic of Undisciplined Children Marianne Haney Brennan: Well because I'm sort of connected in the Catholic school system, being a Catholic graduate, I know a lot of people in that realm. I was trying to get into some of the public schools, but it's a little tougher to get in there. There's so many rules and regulations and they all need it. Listen, we have an epidemic, epidemic of undisciplined children. And I don't want to sound negative or anything but- Andy Ockershausen: No it's not negative. It's important. Marianne Haney Brennan: I was sitting and having some yogurt around the corner here before I came over, and I'm watching people who are sitting with each other having lunch and they've got headphones on and they're not even in conversation. Andy Ockershausen: You're preaching to the choir with me. They don't pay attention. Marianne Haney Brennan: Not at all. No. And part of the problem is we're all moving too fast. We're moving too fast. We've got too many electronic things going on. Nobody wants to take time out to say hello or smile or be considerate. Andy Ockershausen: You know, I'll tell you my story in a minute, but we were just talking to Tom Davis who has been a congressman and did a great job for northern Virginia, talking to the fact that social media is really, the culprit has changed our world, forever. Marianne Haney Brennan: Absolutely. Absolutely. Andy Ockershausen: I don't think we'll ever go back. Marianne Haney Brennan: Absolutely.
Marianne Haney Brennan is a fifth generation Washingtonian. She founded Mrs. Brennan’s School of Etiquette and is doing what she loves – teaching school children manners. She also does private training and works with corporations. Andy O and Marianne discuss Marianne’s various career experiences and what’s she’s learned about her beloved community over the years. Following are topics discussed in this new Our Town podcast interview:
• Fifth Generation Washingtonian, Etiquette Coach | Custom Classes for Schools and Corporations
• Epidemic of Undisciplined Children
• Family | Uncle Ray Krouse Former Washington Pro Football Player
• On Becoming a Member of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington DC
• On Experiencing Changes to Our Town While Working the Beat as a Police Officer
• Marianne Haney Brennan | Biggest Regret
• Georgetown | Past and Present Personal Observations
• On the Impetus for Teaching Etiquette
• On Working with Seniors and Help of Our Town Citizens
• Georgetown’s Senior Center Needs Help
• Shining Shoes – More Lucrative Than You’d Think
• Retirement Not in Marianne’s Vocabulary
• Legacy of John Carroll, Georgetown University
• “I want to teach these children.” | Manners | Etiquette
The entire transcript for this podcast episode can be found on our website here:
https://ourtowndc.com/marianne-haney-brennan-etiquette-coach/
A special thanks to Our Town sponsors Attorney Mike Collins, The Eric Stewart Group, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill.