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Not your grandmother’s etiquette

Hello and welcome to the Clise Etiquette blog, a place to discuss savvy and not so savvy decorum. Etiquette may sound like a stuffy or old-fashioned topic, but it’s really just about making yourself and others more comfortable by being respectful, kind and professional.

I am an etiquette consultant, speaker, trainer, coach and author of Spinach in Your Boss’s Teeth: Essential Etiquette for Professional Success. I share etiquette and protocol tips, stories and techniques that you can use to feel more confident, at ease and successful socially and in the workplace.

I invite you to share your thoughts and questions on the situations in life that confuse you, anger you, give you pause or make you proud. Please feel free to let me know if there are topics you’d like me to discuss or hear more about. Some of my best posts come from questions or stories readers share with me.

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Don’t forget the hostess gift

By Arden | Dec 9, 2014 | Gift giving etiquette, Holiday etiquette, Party etiquette | 4 Comments

There is a funny Seinfeld episode where Elaine, George and Jerry are headed to a dinner party and Elaine mentions to Jerry that they need to stop and pick up a bottle of wine to bring as a hostess gift. George is perplexed by this and doesn’t understand why he should be expected to bring…

Cocktail party food and drink finesse

By Arden | Dec 7, 2014 | Networking etiquette, Party etiquette

When mingling at parties and networking events, have you ever struggled with juggling a plate of food and a drink? When you have a plate in one hand and a glass in the other it prevents you from shaking hands and you usually can’t eat, at least not gracefully. Thankfully there are a few things…

Four tips to make your holiday party mingling easier

By Arden | Dec 5, 2014 | Conversation, Holiday etiquette, Networking etiquette, Party etiquette | 2 Comments

The holidays are here! Whether you’re attending the company holiday dinner or your neighbor’s cocktail party being ready for mingling with strangers or people you don’t know well will make the events much easier for you. Here are four tips to make your mingling stress-free.

A fun way to share your gratitude

By Arden | Nov 27, 2014 | Kindness

Do you have the tradition of sharing what you’re thankful for at Thanksgiving? I’m usually the instigator of this practice in my family and they often groan and tease me for being so predictable. But, I don’t care because what I love most about Thanksgiving is taking the time to reflect on what we are…

Raised pinky fingers, scone slicing and other tea faux pas

By Arden | Nov 21, 2014 | Tea etiquette | 45 Comments

With a Starbucks on every corner and American’s addiction to coffee, it’s hard to believe that at one time tea was the beverage of choice.

The “Yes, and…” principle

By Arden | Nov 7, 2014 | Business Etiquette, Conversation, Courtesy, Manners

Have you ever been to a comedy improv show or tried improvisation? My husband and some friends and I went to Comedy Sportz recently and had a great time. I was reminded how difficult improvisation is. When it’s done well it looks easy, but having taken some improv lessons I know it’s not. You have…

Manners, etiquette, it’s all the same, right?

By Arden | Oct 25, 2014 | Civility, Courtesy, Kindness, Manners

People often describe etiquette as manners. The two are very closely linked, but they are different. I like to say that manners are the sister to etiquette. They belong in the same family but one is practical and the other is kind.

Handling online bullies

By Arden | Oct 20, 2014 | Civility, Social media etiquette

Do you remember the school bully – the person who made your life miserable through their taunts, insults and meanness? Sadly, it seems bullies don’t just exist in childhood. There are adult bullies everywhere, and many of them hide behind their computer screen.

Handshake alternatives for a germ-filled world

By Arden | Oct 14, 2014 | Business Etiquette, Global etiquette, Illness etiquette, Networking etiquette | 4 Comments

Today when I called my doctor to make an appointment for my annual exam the scheduler asked me several questions – “Have you been out of the country within the past 21 days?” “Have you been around anyone who has been out of the country within the past 21 days?” “Are you sick?” I knew…

Networking with Ease

By Arden | Oct 8, 2014 | Networking etiquette, Party etiquette | 2 Comments

Are you someone who dislikes networking? Do you dread talking to strangers? If so, you’re not alone. It doesn’t seem to matter if you’re an introvert or extrovert, networking is hard for most people. So then why do we do it? As someone once said, networking is one letter away from not working. I wish…

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Not your grandmother’s etiquette

BLOG TOPICS

By Arden | Dec 9, 2014 | Gift giving etiquette, Holiday etiquette, Party etiquette | 4 Comments

By Arden | Dec 7, 2014 | Networking etiquette, Party etiquette

By Arden | Dec 5, 2014 | Conversation, Holiday etiquette, Networking etiquette, Party etiquette | 2 Comments

By Arden | Nov 27, 2014 | Kindness

By Arden | Nov 21, 2014 | Tea etiquette | 45 Comments

By Arden | Nov 7, 2014 | Business Etiquette, Conversation, Courtesy, Manners

By Arden | Oct 25, 2014 | Civility, Courtesy, Kindness, Manners

By Arden | Oct 20, 2014 | Civility, Social media etiquette

By Arden | Oct 14, 2014 | Business Etiquette, Global etiquette, Illness etiquette, Networking etiquette | 4 Comments

By Arden | Oct 8, 2014 | Networking etiquette, Party etiquette | 2 Comments

BLOG TOPICS

Sign up for the award-winning Clise Etiquette newsletter and receive a free chapter of Arden's book Spinach in Your Boss's Teeth.