History Main / LessonsInSophistication

* In the film ''Disney/CinderellaIIDreamsComeTrue'', a governess tried to teach Cinderella some of this. She taught her how to be a cold, always elegant above all princess, but she was so stuck up and boring that Cinderella couldn't learn what she was being taught, so she ended up giving up and tried to give her own twist to the fancy party they were organizing. The king and the prince were pretty much amused and Cinderella succeed in earning the sympathy of everyone in the castle anyway.

* In Disney's version of ''Disney/ThePrinceAndThePauper'', the Prince is first seen sitting through a boring trigonometry lesson, passing the time playing tricks on his assistant Donald. When he trades places with Mickey, the latter has to endure the various lessons set for the Prince, all of which he fails miserably.

* In ''WebComic/YokokasQuest'', Grace dresses up Yokoka for Clyde and Blinky's wedding, as Yokoka has no idea how to dress for a wedding, what a wedding even is, or even basic grooming skills like how to brush her hair.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'' had an episode where the Ashleys challenge Tomboy Spinelli to a Beauty Pageant. Bizarrely, sports loving Vince is the hyper-competent coach schooling Spinelli in how to win in a Pageant. His justification is that his characterization is hyper-competitive and will learn how to win at ''''any competition; he's meticulously studied Beauty Pageants [[CrazyPrepared just in case one of his friends was challenged to win one and needed to be taught how to win one.]] Ultimately, Spinelli wins by explaining to the judges that her rehearsed lines weren't really who or what she's all about, and they in turn find it refreshing that for once, someone isn't using the same cliche lines.

* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': The episode "Polishing Rhonda" had Rhonda and Big Patty signed up for a finishing school by their parents when the two of them got into a scuffle in school. Rhonda hadn't done very well due to her SpoiledBrat tendencies, while [[HiddenDepths Patty]] excelled. Eventually Rhonda asked Patty for help and eventually the two of them passed.

Being a cultured and classy individual doesn't always come naturally. Sometimes you need lessons -- Lessons In Sophistication. These may include instruction in the world history, deportment and etiquette classes that teach good posture and regal carriage, education about proper forms of address for nobles and diplomats, what to wear, and relevant trade skills to whatever your craft may be. For women especially, this may including dance lessons and other high class forms of sport and entertainment. All the kinds of things a ProperLady at court, or QuintessentialBritishGentleman would need to know to carry themselves in the presence of both great and small. Doubly necessary if she's a common girl with a ReallyRoyaltyReveal, and now needs to act the part of a PrincessClassic.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' fanfiction "Legend of Royal Blue and La Sylphide," this is a course at Lycée de Mirabeau, the snobby school the main characters attend. Gabriel initially hates the class because it's taught by a SadistTeacher, Professor [[IronicName Patience]], and the fact he's a PennyAmongDiamonds tends to get emphasized, but enjoys it when his crush Emilie joins.

Since traditional "proper" gender roles for women tend to be seen as repressive, a female protagonist's story is usually on the side of the "uncultured", cheering on her attempt to [[NobodyEverComplainedBefore challenge tradition]], chronicling her pursuit of [[ActionHero more]] [[ScienceHero relevant]] [[PassionateSportsGal skills]], and capping it off with a moral about the importance of [[BeYourself staying true to yourself]]. Because of the lament that "chivalry is dead" for young men it tends to be encouraged that they accept the old ways. This could mean becoming more like a GentlemanAndAScholar.

* In ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro'', Don Diego de la Vega (the former Zorro), now an old ImpoverishedPatrician who had his child abducted and raised by his nemesis, teaches the new Zorro (Alejandro Murrieta, who was a thug and Zorro's fan) on how to be classy so he can infiltrate the party that his nemesis held.

* The entire princess lessons thing is deconstructed in ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''. The Stark sisters, Sansa and Arya, receive them. Arya resents the lessons, fails them constantly, preferring swordplay and adventures, and eventually gets stuck as a lost child in the middle of a war-torn land (with all of the dire consequences this has). Sansa likes the lessons and succeeds in them, and they eventually help her survive in a hostile DeadlyDecadentCourt, but several other characters point out that she's an EmptyShell just going through the motions they taught her.

* Surprisingly, Toph from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' does this. She was born into Earth Kingdom High society, so she knows how to act like a proper lady, she just chooses not to. She's able to help clean up Katara for a palace party hosted by the Earth King but she doesn't even attempt with Sokka and Aang. They're that hopeless.

Since traditional "proper" gender roles for women tend to be seen as repressive, a female protagonist's story is usually on the side of the "uncultured", cheering on her attempt to [[NobodyEverComplainedBefore challenge tradition]], chronicling her pursuit of [[TookALevelInBadass more relevant skills]], and capping it off with a moral about the importance of [[BeYourself staying true to yourself]]. Because of the lament that "chivalry is dead" for young men it tends to be encouraged that they accept the old ways.

More recently, however, this formula has become so recognizable that the plot may actually punish the women and men alike for their SchoolIsForLosers attitude, throwing in a twist by having something from the Lessons in Sophistication be a ChekhovsSkill that becomes [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman improbably necessary to the plot]], or even just [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower genuinely useful]] if she decides to [[PoliticallyActivePrincess take her role in society seriously]]. Related to RoyalSchool (where those lessons are taken).

* Usagi and her team went to these in the third act of the first season of ''Anime/SailorMoon''. The classes were imparted by a real princess and focused on class, manners, elegance and the princess favorite hobby: Frisbee throwing. It was all a set up by the Dark Kingdom to discover the real identity of Princess Serenity, since she acts like the opposite of a princess but was skilled at throwing her tiara as a disc.

More recently, however, this formula has become so recognizable that the plot may actually punish the women and men alike for their SchoolIsForLosers attitude, throwing in a twist by having something from the Lessons in Sophistication be a ChekhovsSkill that becomes [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman improbably necessary to the plot]], or even just [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower genuinely useful]] if she decides to [[PoliticallyActivePrincess take her role in society seriously]].

* In ''Film/TheManInTheIronMask'', the Musketeers give Philippe a crash-course in court etiquette while preparing to kidnap his identical twin, the RoyalBrat Louis, and install Philippe as an IdentityImpersonator king in his place.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'' had an episode where the Ashleys challenge Tomboy Spinelli to a Beauty Pageant. Bizarrely, sports loving Vince is the hyper-competent coach schooling Spinelli in how to win in a Pageant. His justification is that his characterization is hyper-competitive and will learn how to win at any competition he sets his mind too... he's meticulously studied Beauty Pageants [[CrazyPrepared just in case one of his friends was challenged to win one and needed to be taught how to win one.]] Ultimately, Spinelli wins by explaining to the judges that her rehearsed lines weren't really who or what she's all about, who in turn find it refreshing that for once, someone isn't using the same cliche lines.

* In an [[WhatCouldHaveBeen early script]] of ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'', made prior to the decision to have both sisters as [[TheShutIn shut-ins]], Elsa and Anna were explicitly shown getting princess-related lessons in the CutSong "We Know Better". Neither are particularly into them-- Elsa being a RebelliousPrincess and Anna being a ClumsyGirl:
-->'''Elsa:''' They say a princess learns elegance in school.\\
'''Teacher:''' Chin up, eyes bright!\\
'''Elsa:''' She's trained in etiquette and follows every rule.\\
'''Anna:''' Spoon on the right.\\
'''Elsa:''' They teach a princess to...\\
'''Both:''' ''[drone-like]'' Copy word for word\\
'''Elsa:''' They teach a princess to be...\\
'''Both:''' ''[drone-like]'' Seen and never heard.\\
'''Elsa:''' They say she doesn't dare or dream.\\
'''Elsa:''' They say she doesn't plan or scheme.\\
'''Elsa:''' Or go to any big extreme, to reunite a princess team.\\
'''Elsa:''' But you and me...\\
'''Both:''' We know better.

[[folder: Real Life]]
* Finishing Schools or Charm Schools were places where such instruction was done.
[[/folder]]

'''Elsa:''' They she doesn't dare or dream.\\

* Phedre's childhood in ''Literature/KushielsLegacy'' is filled with these. In the Night Court, she receives lessons in etiquette and comportment to prepare her for life as a HighClassCallGirl; after adopting her, Anafiel Delaunay expands the curriculum to include arts and sciences, languages, [[FemmeFataleSpy espionage]], self-defense, and the [[SchoolOfSeduction arts of love]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/GayPurree'', Meowrice takes Mewsette to Mme. Rubens-Chatte for lessons in how to be lady-like. He plans to make a huge profit by marrying her to a rich American cat.

Since traditional 'proper' gender roles for women tend to be seen as repressive, a female protagonist's story is usually on the side of the 'uncultured,' cheering on her attempt to [[NobodyEverComplainedBefore challenge tradition]], chronicling her pursuit of [[TookALevelInBadass more relevant skills]], and capping it off with a moral about the importance of [[BeYourself staying true to yourself]]. Because of the lament that 'chivalry is dead' for young men it tends to be encouraged that they accept the old ways.

!!Examples

[[folder: Anime and Manga]]

[[folder: Films -- Animated]]

-->'''Elsa''': They say a princess learns elegance in school.
-->'''Teacher''': Chin up, eyes bright!
-->'''Elsa''': She's trained in etiquette and follows every rule.
-->'''Anna''': Spoon on the right.
-->'''Elsa''': They teach a princess to...
-->'''Both''': (Drone-like) Copy word for word
-->'''Elsa''': They teach a princess to be...
-->'''Both''': (drone-like) Seen and never heard.
-->'''Elsa''': They she doesn't dare or dream.
-->'''Elsa''': They say she doesn't plan or scheme.
-->'''Elsa''': Or go to any big extreme, to reunite a princess team.
-->'''Elsa''': But you and me...
-->'''Both''': We know better.

[[folder: Films -- Live Action]]

[[folder: Literature]]

* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': Exemplar Grace class:
--> [The] final exercise was to do an entire combat in high-heels and a skirt while holding a full cup of hot tea! Even worse, I was only allowed to hold onto the saucer! You have to disable your opponent without breaking a heel, marring your makeup, spilling the tea, or being immodest with your skirt.

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Theatre]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

* In the ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' short, 'Expiration Date,' The Scout takes lessons on how to be a proper gentleman from The Spy, in order to have a proper date with Mis Pauling before the Red team dies of [[ItMakesSenseInContext teleporter induced cancer.]] This being ''[=TF2=]'', HilarityEnsues.
---> '''Spy:''' [[HoYay Seduce me.]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

* ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'': In "My So Called Wife", Mr. Herriman has to teach [[CloudCuckoolander Coco]] how to behave like a lady when a rich benefactor thought that she was his wife and the two were invited into his mansion for the charity. [[ItMakesSenseInContext All the while Mac is teaches Bloo what sarcasm means]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'' had an episode where the Ashleys challenge Tomboy Spinelli to a Beauty Pageant. Bizarrely, sports loving Vince is the hyper-competent coach schooling Spinelli in how to win in a Pageant. His justification is that his characterization is hyper-competitive and will learn how to win at any competition he sets his mind too... he's meticulously studied Beauty Pageants [[CrazyPrepared just in case one of his friends was challenged to win one and needed to be taught how to win one.]] Ultimatley, Spinelli wins by explaining to the judges that her rehearsed lines weren't really who or what she's all about, who in turn find it refreshing that for once, someone isn't using the same cliche lines.

* ''Literature/TheEnchantedForestChronicles'': Cimorene's introduction is a review of her attempts to get better training than her standard Princess Lessons could provide, explaining that she has random cooking, fencing, and Latin skills because she'd bully experts in interesting subjects until they tutored her, much to the chagrin of her parents, who insisted these were not subjects for a "proper" princess. ''All'' of these lessons -- including the boring ones -- turn out to be [[ChekhovsSkill Chekhov's Skills]].

* ''Film/{{Titanic}}'': Jack is put through one by Molly Brown since after saving Rose he is invited to the Captain's Table. She gets him a tux, teaches him some conversational gambits, and tells him [[SheCleansUpNicely he shines up like a new penny]].

* ''Film/KingsmanTheSecretService'' live by the code 'manners maketh man.' A big part of Eggsy's TrainingFromHell, in addition to being a superspy, is how to be a gentleman, including buying him his first proper suit, and improving his palette for expensive drinks.