Letters and notes

An angry looking black pug

Social and workplace etiquette grievances

By Arden / October 15, 2024 /

As I’ve mentioned in the past, people like to share their etiquette pet peeves or ask for advice on etiquette dilemmas. It always makes for good blog post fodder. Here are some of the etiquette grievances people have shared with me lately. Fido is forbidden Don’t bring your dog or kids to someone’s house unless…

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How etiquette has changed over the last twenty years

By Arden / December 16, 2021 /

I sometimes wish there was a different word for etiquette. Often the term conjures up a stuffy, old-fashioned concept; one that is certainly not relatable to today’s realities. But as I often say in my trainings, I would not be an etiquette consultant if it was any of those things. I remember when I was…

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How to be more gracious

By Arden / July 28, 2019 /

I’ve been thinking about graciousness lately. A characteristic that I think is so important in our dealings with others – whether it’s coworkers, friends or family. Being gracious was not something I was taught growing up. My dad role modeled some aspects of graciousness but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I started…

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A Professional Organizer’s Guide to Writing More Thank You Notes

By Arden / September 3, 2018 /

This is a guest post by Denise Allan, Founder of Simplify Experts. I am a big fan of appreciation and thanking someone warmly for a gift or a kind act. I love receiving handwritten thank you notes (I don’t knock email notes either) because it means someone took the time to let me know they…

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The year of kindness: Join me on a kindness journey

By Arden / January 6, 2017 /

Kindness is showing love to someone else. I believe that kindness is the cure for violence and hatred around the world. Lady Gaga The January 1st Parade magazine edition had an article about making 2017 the year of being kind and included the lovely quote above by Lady Gaga. According to the article, studies have…

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Five tips for workplace success

By Arden / June 15, 2016 /

Have you ever wondered why some people have more success in their jobs and others can’t seem to get ahead even though they are very smart? According to a Harvard University study, 85% of a person’s workplace success is due to their personal skills – those intangible skills that lead to better and smoother relationships…

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Five tips for being a gracious house guest

By Arden / July 9, 2015 /

Every year I speak on dining and business etiquette essentials to a group of college students who are in a leadership program hosted by the University of Washington Women’s Center. The program is called the Alene Morris National Education for Women’s Leadership. It’s a six day intensive program that focuses on increasing women’s representation in…

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A fun way to stand out from the crowd

By Arden / August 4, 2014 /

There is nothing better than getting a handwritten card in the mail. It’s the first piece of mail I open and it’s usually the last item I recycle. In fact, I usually hold onto hand scribed notes for at least a few days, and every time I see the card I think of the person…

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Dear Ms. Clise

By Arden / October 1, 2013 /

When people I haven’t met first email me they often address me as Ms. Clise. It always takes this casual Seattle gal by surprise. I understand why people are addressing me in a formal way; they assume it is the proper thing to do with someone who teaches etiquette.

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Alot of speiling and, grammer erors

By Arden / September 18, 2013 /

Despite having a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, grammar and spelling are not my strengths. But, I know that to make a good impression it’s important I follow the correct language rules when I speak and write. Therefore, it is something I work on. I’m not perfect. In fact, readers have pointed out errors I’ve made,…

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