The Art of the Holiday Meal   It’s that special time of the year when we gather around the table to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends. Using our best table manners and polished social skills will ensure that we will make a good impression and that it will be an enjoyable and pleasant →

By Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick Some of my fondest memories of summers past include having houseguests. Perhaps it is because my friends have lovely manners, and my husband and I enjoy making their stays memorable. I do know, however, this is not the experience many have had, or remember about having houseguests, which is why I thought it necessary →

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick  “In a shrinking world with ever increasing competition, Americans are finding they need to know more about other cultures to survive both at home and abroad.”                                                                           - Brooks Peterson, author of ”Cultural Intelligence.”                           By now it should be evident that no nation on earth can thrive in the twenty-first century without being →

By Patricia Napier-Fitpzatrick  How to Be a Polished Host Do dress for the occasion. Just because you are entertaining your friends and colleagues  in your home, doesn’t mean you don’t have to change your shirt or put on a fresh pair of shorts or slacks. Let your guests know what the attire will be for →

By: Jennifer Roach  While dining etiquette is often discussed and dissected, restaurant-specific tips are not quite as commonplace, despite the frequency with which business and social entertaining takes place in our society. Rarer still are guides specifically aimed at the service professionals who make up half of this staff/patron arrangement. Here are ten tips each →

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick It’s another rainy week in New York City, so I thought it might be a good idea to give everyone a gentle reminder of the rules of the sidewalk when carrying an umbrella. 10 Tips to Avoid Umbrella Rage: Carry an umbrella that’s appropriate for your size—one that you can manage. If →

By Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick  “Etiquette provides the knowledge, and gives the confidence to pass the test of life.”     - Elizabeth L. Post Many say etiquette instruction is outdated and has no relevance for today’s children. But is that true? Certainly not. It is true that many of the rules of etiquette from the past are →

By: Alyson Murphy Body language is a fundamental part of courtship. In fact, 80 percent of what we say is nonverbal. If you would like to attract a mate or convince your significant other that you really care this Valentine’s Day, we recommend you try the following top 10 flirting signals. Smile. It makes you →

Valentines Day is a nationally-celebrated holiday that many people associate with love, romance and gifts.  According to the National Restaurant Association, seventy million Americans will celebrate their romance at a restaurant. Previous research by the association shows that Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday to dine out, after Mother’s Day. When it comes →