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Not your grandmother’s etiquette

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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.

Thank you for stopping by. I invite you to subscribe to my blog by clicking on the green button.

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Don’t ask these 8 questions: Conversation dos and don’ts

By Arden | Dec 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
“Where do you live?” I asked the man sitting at the table at which I was seated. He stated a neighborhood I hadn’t heard of so I said, “Oh, I’ve never heard of that neighborhood. Where is that?” As he revealed where he lived and the entire table listened I realized it was the wrong…
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Going up, going down, going round & round: Elevator, escalator and revolving door etiquette

By Arden | Nov 30, 2016 | Communication,  Escalator etiquette
My friend got into the revolving door of his office building and was moving forward when, bam, the door suddenly stopped. He hit the glass front with his head and his glasses cut his face. What the heck just happened my friend wondered? Turns out a young man had jumped into the same compartment as…
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Thanksgiving (and other meals) dos and don’ts

By Arden | Nov 23, 2016 | Civility,  Conversation,  Courtesy,  Dining Etiquette,  Holiday etiquette,  Manners,  Party etiquette,  Social Etiquette,  Table Manners
Can you hear it? It’s the sound of busy hosts shopping, prepping and cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I’m thankful my sister is one of those hosts. She usually hosts Thanksgiving because she has the bigger house and bigger family. The rest of us get to enjoy the gourmet bounty and family gathering in exchange for bringing…
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Little niceties that make a big difference

By Arden | Nov 16, 2016 | Manners,  Social Etiquette
Etiquette has some specific rules that help you know what to do and not do, such as which fork to use on a crowded table or that it’s not okay to cut in line when a queue has formed. But, there are a lot of little niceties that fall under manners that are sometimes less…
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What not to say or do when your coworker is sick or grieving

By Arden | Nov 3, 2016 | Communication,  Conversation,  Illness etiquette | 6 Comments
Illness and loss can be hard topics to discuss. Most people simply don’t know what to say or do when someone they know has been diagnosed with a serious illness or loses a spouse or child. It seems extra hard when that someone is an employee or coworker. When personal matters intertwine with work we…
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Be the first to say hello

By Arden | Oct 24, 2016 | Civility,  Conversation,  Courtesy,  Customer Service,  Kindness | 5 Comments
I recently discovered something about myself that was dismaying. It’s such a simple thing but I realized my actions were not portraying my best self.
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Smile, you’re on camera! Video conference dos and don’ts

By Arden | Oct 5, 2016 | Meeting etiquette,  Technology Etiquette,  Video conferencing etiquette | 3 Comments
Have you ever had a conversation with someone on the phone and wondered about the meaning of their words? If so, it’s possible the lack of body language made the conversation difficult to interpret. According to research conducted by Professor Albert Mehrabian, when we communicate feelings and attitudes, 7% of the meaning is contained in…
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How to dress (or not) for work

By Arden | Oct 3, 2016 | Business attire | 1 Comment
Have you ever been confused about what is and isn’t appropriate attire for work? Wonder no more. This is a great infographic on work attire – from ultra casual to white tie. You’ll never wonder if that tube top is appropriate office dress again.   Save
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How to win favors and influence opportunity

By Arden | Sep 20, 2016 | Civility,  Courtesy,  Kindness,  Uncategorized
Oh the power of “hello,” “please” and “thank you.” When they are used you often get better service, lower prices, maybe even a seat on a crowded plane. When they are not employed, you’re put in the “rude” category and are faced with possible negative consequences.
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Five lessons from Craigslist for job applicants

By Arden | Sep 10, 2016 | Courtesy,  Interview etiquette,  Sales
My husband and I are turning our media room into a guest room so we have been both buying and selling items on Craigslist. Craigslist is truly a great way to find and sell items at a reduced price. It can also be a lot of fun to meet interesting people. But, it has its…
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