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     - Elizabeth L. Post Many say etiquette instruction is outdated and has no relevance for today’s children.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 →

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 →

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick Often the first contact we have now with a potential client or employer is through email. It’s the first opportunity we have to make a good, or conversely, a negative impression.   When you send an email with mistakes it makes the recipient think that you are sloppy and inattentive to details, →

Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick Now that the holidays are coming to a close, it is time to sit down and write those all-important thank-you notes. Thanking people is our way of respecting them by showing appreciation. People like to feel appreciated, and receiving thank-you notes makes them feel good. A thoughtful thank-you note makes us appear considerate →

Tipping and Gifting Guidelines for the Holiday Season The holiday season is the traditional time of the year to remember all the people who have made our lives more pleasant throughout the year, and without whom we would not have such a nice life, says Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick, Founder and Director of The Etiquette School of New →

How to Make an Entrance at the Corporate Holiday Party and 10 Dos and Do Nots to Keep in Mind                                                                                          The corporate holiday party is the perfect opportunity for you to make a positive impression on the executives in your company you have not yet met; and to reinforce your co-workers’ positive impression of →

  The upcoming holidays are a time for celebration, and most of these celebrations include dining with friends, family and colleagues.  Whether you are hosting a dinner party in your home, or are a guest in another person’s home, your table manners and dining skills will be on display. Not knowing your way around a →