Posted on Fri, May 28, 2010
Photo credit: AP/ Seth Wenig
by Lyudmila Bloch, Etiquette Expert NYC
Picture your child receiving guidance on how to behave and how to deal with bullies at school from the scandal- plagued Sarah Ferguson, who was caught on tape with her black duffle bag stuffed with $40,000 in cash, according to the News of the World report from the UK. On May 26, at 8:00 a.m., Sarah Ferguson appeared as a guest hostess at BookExpo America, at the Javits Center in New York City for the traditional Children’s Authors Breakfast, where she cracked jokes in an auditorium full of literary agents, publishers, booksellers, educators, authors, and editors.
Shamed and disgraced, the Duchess of York introduced herself as a “proud mom” and author who now offers (ready for this?) parenting advice in her new book series called “Helping Hand.”
“Every child can use a helping hand,” said Ferguson from the central stage, implying that she could be that source of help to any child in America with her “timely books.”
Ashley Learns About Strangers is one of her current titles.…Given the latest developments in Sarah Ferguson’s life, she might want to consider another inspiring title for her next book -- Ashley Takes a Bribe. As Ms. Ferguson was offering her tips about real-life situations to her educated audience on Wednesday morning, a stunned attendee on my left whispered, “Wasn’t she on TV yesterday with a bag of cash?” Well, sure, it was Fergie, all right. Chalk it up to yet another a minor etiquette slip on the part of the Duchess of York.
Images of Ms. Ferguson, leading a “public school etiquette workshop” about honesty and integrity, or a “character education” class that teaches strategies for handling difficult moments, (as when you’re caught with your hand in a cookie jar) flashed through my mind.
“As you all know,” she continued, “I really don’t like grown-ups…”
Well, Sarah, we might feel a little leery too if we were surrounded by grown-ups who broker a “proper introduction” to their ex-husbands for a modest fee of $ 700,000, get caught on tape (according to the News of the World report), and then proceed to offer parenting advice and real-life strategies to our children and families.
Sadly, the Children’s Book Council and American Booksellers Association, in conjunction with the BookExpo committee, didn’t seem at all troubled by Ms. Ferguson’s recent indiscretions and negative publicity. We wonder, why? Is there a shortage of real role models in America?