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What do you do with an olive pip? Should spaghetti be eaten with a spoon? Is it acceptable to ask for a fork if you cannot use chopsticks, and when is eating with your fingers actually the correct thing to do?

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the small dining dilemmas that can make even a confident person suddenly wonder, “What do I do with that?”

From finger foods, skewers and fork-only dining to spaghetti, soup, bread and chopsticks, Louise shares practical contemporary table manners designed to make dining feel comfortable rather than complicated.

She also looks beyond Western dining traditions to consider eating customs in India and Ethiopia, and why cultural curiosity, observation and respect are essential elements of modern etiquette.

Because good table manners are not about demonstrating how many rules you know. They are about confidence, consideration and making the people around you feel comfortable.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode76-would-you-like-to-feel-more-confident-in-social-situations/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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What makes a piece of jewellery truly valuable? Is it the stone, the craftsmanship, the name attached to it, or the story it carries?

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise welcomes back her friend Adrian Dickens, one of Australia’s leading jewellery historians, a personal jeweller and specialist in antique, estate and remodelled jewellery.
Drawing on more than four decades in the jewellery world, Adrian shares how an early fascination with Garrard, the Crown Jewellers in London, began a lifelong appreciation of beautiful objects, exceptional craftsmanship and the stories behind them.

Louise and Adrian explore the jewellery trends emerging in 2026, including the wonderful return of the brooch for both women and men, the renewed popularity of coloured gemstones, the appeal of fine and understated jewellery among younger generations, and the growing desire to remodel inherited pieces rather than leave them unworn in a jewellery box.

They also discuss the difference between buying jewellery for pleasure and buying it as an investment, the changing value of diamonds and precious metals, craftsmanship in contemporary jewellery, and why knowing who made a piece can be just as important as knowing what stones it contains.

And, naturally, there are pearls, Cartier, a little jewellery history and several wonderful stories along the way.
A warm and fascinating conversation about jewellery not simply as adornment, but as history, memory and a very personal expression of style.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-75-jewellery-with-a-story-estate-jewellery-heirlooms-and-the-return-of-the-brooch/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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When did good manners become so complicated?

In today's world, we're less likely to wonder which fork to use and far more likely to ask questions such as: Is it rude to leave someone on "read"? How do I politely decline an invitation? Should everyone split the bill equally? Is ghosting ever acceptable?

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores ten of the most common social dilemmas facing adults today. With her signature blend of warmth, practical advice and contemporary etiquette, Louise shares thoughtful guidance on navigating friendships, digital communication, social media, invitations, dining, boundaries and modern relationships with confidence and grace.

Rather than offering rigid rules, this episode reminds us that true etiquette is about kindness, consideration and helping others feel respected and valued.
Whether you're in your thirties, forties, or simply interested in building stronger relationships, this episode will leave you with practical ideas you can begin using immediately.

Because while technology and social customs continue to evolve, kindness never goes out of style.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-74-the-10-modern-etiquette-dilemmas-everyone-secretly-wonders-about/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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Death is one of life's few certainties, yet many of us feel uncertain about what is expected when someone dies. Should you attend the funeral? What should you wear? Is a text message enough, or should you send a handwritten condolence card? And what exactly is the difference between a traditional funeral and a celebration of life?

In this episode Louise explores the etiquette surrounding funerals and memorial services in today's world. From dress codes and condolence messages to social media announcements, wakes and supporting grieving families, Louise offers thoughtful guidance to help you approach these difficult moments with confidence, compassion and grace.

Whether you are attending a funeral, supporting a friend through loss, or simply wish to better understand modern funeral etiquette, this episode provides practical advice for one of life's most important occasions.

Good manners matter most when kindness is needed most.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-73-modern-funeral-etiquette-honouring-a-life-with-grace-and-elegance/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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Have you ever opened a beautiful invitation and felt that little flutter of anxiety at the words printed at the bottom? "Cocktail attire." "Smart casual." "Resort elegant." If so, this episode of Manners and Other Matters is made entirely for you.

In this episode, etiquette and protocol expert, Louise Percy, decodes the full spectrum of dress codes you are most likely to encounter, from the formal grandeur of White Tie and Black Tie through to the deceptively tricky territory of Smart Casual and Business Casual.

Louise also explores the creative descriptions that appear with such regularity on modern invitations, including Garden Party Attire, Resort Elegant and Festive, and shares warm, practical guidance on how to dress with genuine sensitivity and respect for multicultural occasions and cultural celebrations.

Also covered: the etiquette of asking your host for guidance without appearing helpless, the truth about overdressed versus underdressed and why elegance is almost always the safer choice, and how to build a considered capsule wardrobe that ensures you are beautifully prepared for every occasion, without the last-minute panic.

Because dressing well is not, at its heart, about fashion. It is about consideration, confidence, and the very great pleasure of getting it beautifully right.

Topics include: Black Tie etiquette, cocktail attire, smart casual, dress codes for multicultural occasions, capsule wardrobe for every occasion, and the etiquette of dressing with intention.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-72-decoding-dress-codes-with-confidence/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the true meaning of elegance and why it has little to do with designer labels, glamorous lifestyles or outward appearances.

Drawing on decades of teaching etiquette and personal development through The Art of an Elegant Life Masterclass, Louise shares how elegance begins with self-respect, kindness and the small rituals that bring beauty and calm to everyday life.

From morning routines and mindful transitions to evening reflections and the importance of dining well, this episode is an invitation to slow down, embrace simplicity and discover the elegance that already exists within each of us.

Because true elegance isn't something we acquire. It is something we quietly live.

Show notes: https://thepercyinstitute.com/little-habits-that-create-an-elegant-life/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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In this episode, Louise Percy explores the etiquette of hotel and resort stays, covering every stage of the guest experience from arrival to departure, and the many nuanced interactions in between. 

Show notes: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-70-hotel-resort-and-luxury-travel-etiquette-for-the-confident-and-considerate-traveller/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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In an age of instant messages and digital noise, the handwritten note has quietly become one of the most powerful and elegant gestures we can offer one another. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the timeless art of handwritten correspondence, and why it matters more than ever.

Louise shares the occasions that always call for pen and paper, the four essential elements of a perfectly written thank you note, how to navigate the deeply personal challenge of writing a sympathy card, and what your choice of stationery quietly communicates about you. She also offers practical, inspiring ideas for reviving the art of letter writing with the children and grandchildren in your life, from the thank you note ritual to the joy of pen pals, and the gift of a beautifully curated writing set.

Whether you are a devoted letter writer, or someone who has simply never quite known what to write, this episode will leave you reaching for your finest notecard and your favourite pen.

Topics include handwritten thank you notes, sympathy card wording, choosing quality stationery, letter writing with children, and the elegant etiquette of gracious written correspondence.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-69-ink-over-emoji-the-timeless-elegance-of-handwritten-letters-thank-you-notes-and-gracious-correspondence/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

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What does elegance really look like in everyday life?

In this episode Louise answers listener questions about the quiet yet powerful habits that shape grace, confidence and modern elegance.

From saying no without guilt, to receiving compliments gracefully, cultivating personal rituals, expressing gratitude, and strengthening presence through non-verbal communication, this episode explores how everyday elegance is often found in the smallest gestures.

Louise shares practical reflections and refined guidance for those who want to live with greater intention, composure and warmth.

Because elegance is not reserved for grand occasions, it is practised in everyday moments.

If you would like information on the upcoming Etiquette and Elegant Lifestyle Classes and Masterclasses please visit The Percy Institute website 

Show notes: https://thepercyinstitute.com/68-ask-louise-the-elegance-of-everyday-living/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...

Send us Fan Mail

Homestays, such as Airbnb have transformed the way we travel, offering comfort, character, and a sense of living like a local. And with this opportunity comes a quiet responsibility, which sits somewhere between being a guest in a private home and a customer in a commercial space.

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores the etiquette of Airbnb living, from both the guest and host perspective. With practical insights and elegant reminders, she shares how small, thoughtful behaviours can elevate the entire experience.

From reading house rules and respecting community spaces, to communication, check out courtesy, and leaving meaningful reviews, this episode is your modern guide to travelling with grace.

Whether you are hosting or staying, this conversation will leave you better prepared, and more mindful, for your next homestay experience.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-67-home-away-from-home-the-art-of-homestay-etiquette/

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/

Join Louise in the pursuit of a more elegant life, and be sure to visit  her website thepercyinstitute.com for more ideas and inspiration. Follow @thepercyinstitute on Instagram and Facebook, and join the Facebook Group, The Elegance Club for exclusive offers and insights.

Resources and links:

• THE ART OF AN ELEGANT LIFE MASTERCLASS:
  https://thepercyinstitute.com/the-art-of-an-elegant-lifestyle/
• Complimentary Guide to Successful Networking: https://subscribepage.io/shinelikeadiamond
• The Percy Institute website: https://thepercyinstitute.com/
• The Elegance Club Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepercyinstitute
• The Percy Institute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepercyinstitut...