Writing and Publishing

That Annoying Kid in the Restaurant

Etiquette is the vehicle to living in a polite, gracious society.  There are many segments of that society – some we enjoy being around, some we abhor. With Autism growing to affect one out of 80 boys in the United States and one out of every 111 children we come into contact with Autistic children every day.  Instead of rolling our eyes, wishing out loud that they would go away and complaining to others about them, we need to seek a practical, gracious, loving way to deal with this growing and needy population.  My son suffers from an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and I have been the mother in this video.

Please watch this and vow to practice good etiquette (which calls for making everyone around you comfortable and cared about) in your life.  The Friendship Circle is an incredible group of caring and welcoming individuals who practice good etiquette everyday.  Their mission is to help and to make everyone (especially those who have Autism and those who live with Autistic children) feel included.

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Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

International Protocol: Cultural Differences in Business

The world is getting smaller and expectations for proper protocol in international business circles are determining how much of the available "pie" foreign companies are going to earn. With the increase of offices abroad and partnerships across borders, the skills of diplomacy and international protocol are being called into use more and more. Another growing trend is business trade missions coming from overseas to learn how Americans do business. As Americans, whether we are personally savvy or not, we have to overcome the prevalent description used to describe us -- the "Ugly American".

How can you make your first impression on someone from another culture be positive? Have a little respect. Too simple? What does a little respect mean? It means more than you think. It of course covers your interest in the other person's right to do business and their interest in doing business with you. But what if you've never done business outside the United States? How do you work in a mixed culture business setting? When it comes time for you to travel overseas, four practical preparations can help you arrive in a courteous frame of mind and start your trip on the right foot:

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Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

How to Meet 300 People in 30 Seconds

The title of this article suggests that you might be standing in front of a crowd of 300 and introducing yourself. Not really. You just met one guy who looks like he might be nice to talk with at this party you both are enjoying. But -- did you realize when you said hello that you just met everyone he knows too? Well, you did.

When someone meets us for the first time, they are physically standing near us, looking at our face, hearing our voice, interpreting our words but . . . they are making an impression on us that we will likely share with anyone in our personal network of friends and family. If you decide that you don't like the way he wears his clothes, or that he is not friendly and someone you know mentions his name to you, you will respond with your opinion about him. Be is good or bad, he has just been introduced in absentia to your friend. This is a scenario played out over and over again until it may come back to you directly. Has anyone ever said to you, "Oh, yes, I have heard a lot about you."? What have they heard and from whom did they hear it? Who knows?

Read Cynthia's entire article How to Meet 300 People in 30 Seconds

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

International Protocol: Hosting International Visitors

Another aspect of doing business with different cultures is when professionals from other countries come to the United States. International protocol becomes very important. Following are eight tips to make international business travelers feel less like strangers in a strange land, and make their visit a smashing success.

1. Learn about the visitor's culture. You need to know, in the literal sense, where the person is coming from. Imagine, for instance, if a foreigner asked you about life among cowboys if you come from New England--it would seem a strange question. It is just as important to understand a visitor's home country. You want to be able to discuss any neutral, newsworthy events.

2. Always have someone meet the visitor at the airport. While a greeter at the airport is an optional practice for U.S. business travelers, it's a vital courtesy for international visitors.

Read Cynthia's entire article International Protocol: Hosting International Visitors

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

Tipping Etiquette around the World: Asia Travel Part 2

According to all the dictionaries, tips are something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service. What we experience however is the expectation of a tip, whether or not the service has been exemplary. In the United States we are used to tipping in restaurants and taxi cabs. We tip for personal services such as deliveries, doormen, massages, manicures and hairdressing. If we live in a large city we generally tip between 15 and 20 percent. In smaller towns 10 percent is often the norm but 15 percent is especially appreciated. However, when we travel, the rules change and if we are not aware of them, our experiences may be less satisfying and more expensive than you needed to pay. Generally, if you do some research before you go, you will find your travelling spirit more confident.

Asia Travel

While for some protocols, each Asian country has their own, tipping is fairly uniform across the region -- there isn't much of it done. But as in any sweeping generalization, there are exceptions.

Read Cynthia's entire article Tipping Etiquette around the World: Asia Travel Part 2

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

Tipping Etiquette around the World: Asia Travel Part 1

According to all the dictionaries, tips are something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service. What we experience however is the expectation of a tip, whether or not the service has been exemplary. In the United States we are used to tipping in restaurants and taxi cabs. We tip for personal services such as deliveries, doormen, massages, manicures and hairdressing. If we live in a large city we generally tip between 15 and 20 percent. In smaller towns 10 percent is often the norm but 15 percent is especially appreciated. However, when we travel, the rules change and if we are not aware of them, our experiences may be less satisfying and more expensive than you needed to pay. Generally, if you do some research before you go, you will find your travelling spirit more confident.

Read Cynthia's entire article Tipping Etiquette around the World: Asia Travel Part 1

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

International Protocol: International Greetings

There are several forms of international greetings. Whether two businesspeople use a handshake, kiss and/or bow, for example, will depend on their cultural backgrounds. It is always a good idea to check with someone familiar with the customs of your host country before you travel or host international clients so you understand the acceptable and practiced forms of greeting.
Handshakes

Like other aspects of business etiquette, there are different rules of handshaking to be aware of when dealing with foreign visitors or traveling abroad. There are many differences in handshakes worldwide, including who extends whose hand first, how many hands you shake, and whether you shake hands with women. The firmness and duration of the handshake might also change, depending on the location. The significance of handshakes also varies internationally.

Read Cynthia's entire article International Protocol: International Greetings

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

Tipping Etiquette around the World: Europe Travel

According to all the dictionaries, tips are something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service. What we experience however is the expectation of a tip, whether or not the service has been exemplary. In the United States we are used to tipping in restaurants and taxi cabs. We tip for personal services such as deliveries, doormen, massages, manicures and hairdressing. If we live in a large city we generally tip between 15 and 20 percent. In smaller towns 10 percent is often the norm but 15 percent is especially appreciated. However, when we travel, the rules change and if we are not aware of them, our experiences may be less satisfying and more expensive than you needed to pay. Generally, if you do some research before you go, you will find your travelling spirit more confident.

Read Cynthia's entire article Tipping Etiquette around the World: Europe Travel

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

Tipping Etiquette around the World: South America Travel

According to all the dictionaries, tips are something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service. What we experience however is the expectation of a tip, whether or not the service has been exemplary. In the United States we are used to tipping in restaurants and taxi cabs. We tip for personal services such as deliveries, doormen, massages, manicures and hairdressing. If we live in a large city we generally tip between 15 and 20 percent. In smaller towns 10 percent is often the norm but 15 percent is especially appreciated. However, when we travel, the rules change and if we are not aware of them, our experiences may be less satisfying and more expensive than you needed to pay. Generally, if you do some research before you go, you will find your travelling spirit more confident.

Read Cynthia's entire article Tipping Etiquette around the World: South America Travel

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

Etiquette for International Business Success

In the early 1980's when I started to plan international meetings we thought about freight forwarding, negotiating in foreign currencies, airlines to collaborate with, tax deductibility, finding something for the participants to enjoy while they were in that exciting location and producing a positive experience that would not be forgotten. The most important part of the experience was one we did not pay attention to -- international business etiquette.

Going global was the buzz-word of the day. Companies sought new markets outside of the United States and associations sought new membership. But there was a problem. We didn't think we had a problem. We as Americans thought that all we had to do was the same thing we were doing at home but in a different language. Using that belief we made lots of mistakes. I was on the "learn as you go" bandwagon. At the time it didn't occur to me that I had to hit the library before make the logistical phone calls. My international experience to that point was vacations as part of tour groups -- sheltered from the logistics and allowed to just enjoy the "experience". But now that I had to be the logistical coordinator I knew I didn't have the skills.

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Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert