Hopelessly Not Charming

One summer during college I returned home boyfriend-less.  Papa Lai was disappointed and one day, out of the blue, came into the kitchen where I was with Mama Lai and said:

"Maybe we should send our eldest to charm school."

I protested and asked what charm school even was, but my presence and thoughts were completely ignored.  Mama Lai replied:

"If that's what we're relying on, then I think it's hopeless."