how to give a toast - toasting

Celebrations abound that beg for toasts: New Year’s Eve, graduations, job promotions, awards ceremonies and baby showers. These 7 steps to a perfect toast will help you feel prepared, confident and refined, whether it’s a business dinner with a guest of honor or ushering in the New Year. To give a toast, remember the 3… Read More


how to set table for holiday dinner

The stockings are hung.The gifts are wrapped.The menu is set. Now it’s time to plan how to set the table for a holiday dinner. But, often people tell me they are overwhelmed by how to set the table for a Christmas or holiday dinner. But they needn’t be. It’s actually quite simple with a few… Read More


It’s that festive time of year when the Christmas holidays are just around the corner. Here are 7 etiquette tips for the Christmas holidays that will show you have great manners and make it more fun to fa-la-la-la-la with coworkers, family and friends. Learn the importance of the RSVP. When kind folks invite you to… Read More


airplane etiquette

Airplane etiquette is top of mind for me right now. This past year, I’ve had the opportunity to fly numerous times both domestically and internationally. Most often, I’ve squeezed myself into the cramped middle seat in economy but have also had the luxury of flying first class on Lufthansa from Frankfurt, Germany with a red… Read More


coworking space etiquette

Shared co-working space is popular around the globe.  And, co-working members are being observed for their etiquette practices while using these spaces. In this post, I share  8 etiquette tips for co-working space. Most are common sense. But, sometimes we need gentle reminders of what’s considered good workplace etiquette. These 8 etiquette tips for co-working… Read More


Business etiquette skills essential for young professionals

Good business etiquette skills are essential for young professionals. Why? First, to be successful in the business arena. Second, to reflect well on the company or organization for which they work. And, third, to give them a greater level of confidence in any business setting. Many college graduates attend etiquette dinners of some type during… Read More


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


no phone brunch

There’s a new trend called the No-Phone Brunch. But, the concept can be applied to any restaurant meal or when out having drinks with friends. Here’s how it works: Everyone puts their phones in the middle of the table, and the first person to reach for theirs has to pay the entire bill. Sounds harsh,… Read More


wedge-salad

“How do you eat a wedge salad?” is a question that comes up often in my corporate and university dining etiquette training sessions. I normally suggest not ordering “difficult-to-eat foods,” especially at a business meal. But, with the ever-popular Iceberg Wedge Salad gracing restaurant menus everywhere, I wanted to give my attendees the confidence-building tips… Read More