Valentine's Day - Restaurant Etiquette

Valentine’s Day is a nationally celebrated holiday often associated with a romantic dinner out. Good etiquette at restaurants is part of good manners anytime when eating out. But, it especially comes to mind around Valentine’s Day when diners pack restaurant tables to celebrate their romance. Most servers are trained to treat customers with courtesy and… Read More


You’ve probably heard the expression that someone is a “class act.” It’s a compliment, of course. And who wouldn’t want to be described in that way? However, one needs only turn on the TV news to be assaulted with examples, instead, of a decline of civility. This decline is seen in everything from politics and… Read More


tipping guidelines for service providers

  With the holidays upon us, and 2018 coming to a close, end-of-year “thank you” tipping can be a tricky and confusing topic. The purpose of holiday tipping is to reward good service and to say thank you. And according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports, “sixty percent of us gave tips to one or… Read More


holiday table place setting

Many people tell me they are overwhelmed when thinking about how to set the table for a holiday dinner. However, it’s actually quite simple with a few guidelines. In my tips below, you will learn how to set the table for a holiday or Christmas dinner so it’s elegant, yet easy for guests to navigate… Read More


6 Tips Office Holiday Party | Party Etiquette | Etiquette & Protocol Training

Be Savvy, Not Sorry at your Holiday Party ‘Tis the season for the office holiday party. It’s a great place to have fun with coworkers and mingle with the higher ups. But,  etiquette and professionalism still matter at the office holiday party. After all, it’s still a work event. And you’re being observed by coworkers,… Read More


uber,lyft,ridesharing,etiquette

Ever used a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber and wondered about correct etiquette? I know I did the first time my “taxi” was an Uber. Do I tip the same as a taxi? Can I tell the driver to turn the AC up or the music down? The Uber and Lyft etiquette tips… Read More


  Workplace character traits often trump skills. A lack of character in the workplace has now caused some companies to “hire for character and train for skill.” It doesn’t mean skills and competence don’t matter. But, often skills can be taught and mastered on the job, while character flaws may not be redeemable. We’ve all… Read More


In a conversation recently with a high-level professional, he said he often scribbles notes on the back of someone’s business card to remember something they talked about. He asked if this was okay. My response: It’s not ideal. It’s like putting graffiti on someone’s card. A best practice is to wait until the person has… Read More