Introduction By Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick “Women—or men, for that matter—who are not golfing are choosing to neglect one of the most powerful business and career-development tools there is,” declares Hillary Bruggen, a former head of global marketing at KPMG. To play or not to play? I highly recommend it. Golf is still the key to reaching →

By Ryder S. Ziebarth It’s late spring, and as a lifelong gardener, and currently, the first vice-president and chairman of the Garden History and Design Committee of the Garden Club of Somerset Hills, this time of year, full of beautiful blooms, brings both delight and dread.  From  mid-May to mid-June, when my peonies bowl me →

 By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick “I’m one of those strange people: I really love going to the gym.”                                          -Julianne Margulies I must say I agree with Julianne Margulies: I really love going to the gym; and have been an avid gym goer since I moved to Manhattan over twenty years ago. Not only does it make me →

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 Technical skills and knowledge account for 15 percent of the reason you get a job, keep a job, and advance in a job. Eighty –five percent of your success is connected to your people skills. Based on research conducted by Harvard University, The Carnegie Foundation, and The Standard Research Institute. 1. Arrive →

“The Meal is the emblem of society. The most important human relationships are all celebrated with or nourished by the sharing of food. “ -James and Kay Salter, “Life is Meals” It is food that brings together friends and families to celebrate all the special occasions in our life. Following is The Etiquette School of →

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     - Elizabeth L. Post Many say etiquette instruction is outdated and has no relevance for today’s children.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: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick There is no better or possibly worse place for you to make an impression than at the table.  Are you guilty of making any of these business lunch faux pas? Gaffes at the dining table include: Getting too personal in conversation. Complaining about business colleagues. Finishing others’ sentences. Interrupting the conversation. Using →

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 →

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick  “Fine manners need the support of fine manners in others.”     -Ralph Waldo Emerson Top 10 Dos for a More Pleasant and Civil New York City  1. Do walk on the right side of the sidewalk, keeping to the far right at all times, except when passing. 2. Do let others exit →