Master the Art of Manners

Book excerpt: Learn How to Carry Yourself with Confidence, No Matter the Scenario Manners matter. How you hold yourself, talk to others and engage with your surroundings can make or break an important relationship. When you meet and interact with new people, there are small, largely unspoken factors—like active listening and emotional attractiveness—that influence how much they trust and connect with you. By learning etiquette in both casual and formal settings, you’ll be able to find deeper, more fulfilling relationships. Learn how to cultivate important skills such as: Introducing Yourself to a Group Dressing to Visit a Home or Party Communication Etiquette with Cell Phones and Email How to Taste, Select, and Pair Wine Setting the Table for a Formal Dinner Dress Code for Business Travel Abroad Interview Etiquette The best part is that everything builds on itself. By mastering personal etiquette—like learning about the arts, cultural differences and global politics—you’ll notice yourself feeling more comfortable in conversations with strangers. And once you nail down the basics of personal and social communication, knowing what to do in more complicated situations like splitting the check when out to dinner or when having a meeting with colleagues from a different country will feel like a breeze. Stop second guessing yourself, and start operating in the world with the confidence you need to succeed.