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Cecilia holds an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, a masters degree from Duke University. Her etiquette credentials are from the Protocol School of Washington®. She is president of her firm, Etiquette Matters, which is celebrating its 18th year in 2011.

Cecilia Budd Grimes, founder and president of Etiquette Matters and the South's leading authority on etiquette also speaks on

“What It Means To Be Southern”

Cecilia not only speaks about this intriguing subject, but is also the author of the popular book series of the same name. Cecilia takes audiences on a fun romp through all things Southern: deviled egg plates, double names, down home cooking, wedding customs and traditions, soft drink rituals and giving directions—all Southern style. She'll explain, among other things, the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption, the six adjectives that are part of every Southerner's vocabulary, and the situations which prompt a Southerner to "Bless your heart."

Books in her series include:

• What It Means To Be A Southern Girlfriend
• What It Means To Be Southern
• More About What It Means To Be Southern
• What It Means To Have A Southern Wedding
• Front Porch Swings And Stringing Beans
• What It Means To Raise A Child With Southern Manners
• What It Means To Be A Southern Grandmother

Cecilia was voted favorite speaker at a weekend retreat of 750 attendees at The Best of Our State, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, January, 2004.

Top 3 reasons to have Cecilia Grimes at your next event

1) Cecilia delights audiences with her recounting on growing up Southern which recalls nostalgic days past:
— observing rules (No white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day!),
— rituals (Pouring salty peanuts into a Coca-Cola™),
— and sayings ("She's put on a little weight over the holidays; Bless her heart!")

2) Southerners are proud of their heritage. Cecilia provides a format suitable for all ages and genders to revel in things uniquely Southern.

3) Cecilia's programs, including book signings, consistently draw large crowds. She has repeatedly set attendance records for ladies' programs throughout the South.

Testimonials

"Judging from our surveys, you were the favorite speaker of our conference this year."

— Amy Wood, Our State magazine, January 2004

"Our receptionist couldn't believe it when the reservations started coming in. For the third year in a row, you have set a club attendance record for our What It Means To Be Southern Ladies Luncheon. Not only that, we had a waiting list of more who wanted to come. WOW!"

— Tia Jones, Capital City Club, Raleigh, NC

"Our Member-Guest Committee thought you were 'just precious.' The ladies were so excited and everybody is walking around saying,
'Bless your heart.'"

— Mark Cooper, General Manager, Starmount Forest Country Club, Greensboro, NC

"The programs you did for us were the best turnouts we've had in the eight years I've been at this club."

— Pat Leonard, Old North State Club, North Carolina

"The praise for our meeting and your program just keep coming. At the meeting last night everyone just raved. Thank you for being a special part of our evening. You helped us laugh at ourselves—our heritage and brought smiles to many faces…"

— Jan Bonnette, Public Relations, MCEC, Lexington, SC