Image and Etiquette
It never fails to amaze me that the most organized and professional women often have the greatest need for wardrobe makeovers. Intriguingly, they fall into one of two extremes when it comes to shopping for clothes — the shopaholics, always ready-to-shop ,and then at the other end of the spectrum, the group that’s seriously allergic [...]
Posted on October 29th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Dress, Fashion | 2 Comments »
The A-list of professional footwear could start with the steel-toed boots construction workers routinely lace-up. Clogs or Crocs™ are the footwear of choice for both restaurant brigades and hospital staff. Grand Canyon river guides sport fellow guide Mark Thatcher’s “invention” — the Teva® sandal. Ballerinas wear toe-shoes and firemen, boots.
Posted on October 24th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Dress, Fashion, Image, Menswear, Womenswear | 1 Comment »
During a recent meeting with our graphic designers, I arrived with a photograph for a Dining Etiquette project — but the woman in the picture had her elbows on the table. No worries, the designers said, we’ll adjust it. And they did; they “photoshopped” the misplaced elbow right onto her lap.
Adobe Photoshop® is the software that enables designers and photographers to reduce chubby thighs and chins, buff up arms and chests and eliminate facial lines. In short, this digital editing technique manipulates images with safe, non-invasive, touch-up surgery.
Sounds to good to be true and this month, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation got caught overstepping the rules-of-reasonable-retouching.
Posted on October 20th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Accessories, Body Image, Fashion, Image | 4 Comments »
The touchy topic is sending back food at a restaurant. Where and why returning a meal — call it an unsatisfactory product — became such a burning issue is unclear. What is clear is that everyone has a very high discomfort level with when and how to do it.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Dining Etiquette, Food | No Comments »
Public speaking is fundamental to my profession. Every week, without fail, I’m in front of an audience. Size and location vary — from a dozen people in a corporate boardroom to several hundred at a convention centre. Regardless of the size or scope or topic, I generally make sure there’s time provided for questions from the floor.
Many people are reluctant to ask a question. Call it inhibition or self-consciousness, bottom line; it’s good old-fashioned fear — getting in the way. On the other hand, there are folks just waiting to hear the sound of their own voices. Often “specialists” in one-upmanship, they tend to monopolize the time allowed, making everyone uncomfortable.
I’ve compiled a guide to help increase the comfort zone for everyone, so question periods become effective and useful tools.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Conferences | 2 Comments »
