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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...

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In this heartfelt and refreshingly honest episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise is joined by two very special guests, her grandchildren, aged 10 and 12.

Together, they explore what modern manners look like through the eyes of children. From everyday kindness at school to digital etiquette, and from saying “please” and “thank you” to how adults should treat children, this conversation offers surprising insight, gentle humour, and meaningful reflection.

What unfolds is a powerful reminder that manners are not simply taught, they are observed, experienced, and shared.

This episode is a must listen for parents, grandparents, and anyone guiding the next generation, offering a thoughtful perspective on raising confident, kind, and socially aware children.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-66-through-their-eyes-children-on-modern-manners/

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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Live music is one of life’s great pleasures, yet many people quietly wonder how to behave as audiences move between vastly different performance spaces. What feels appropriate at a stadium concert can feel jarring in a concert hall, and silence that feels reverent in one setting can feel awkward in another.

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores modern concert etiquette across four key settings, large stadium concerts, intimate contemporary venues, traditional orchestral performances, and ballet. With warmth and clarity, she explains when to applaud, when to remain silent, how to navigate phones and presence, and how to enjoy live performance with confidence and grace.

This episode is not about rigid rules, but about reading the room, respecting the art form, and remembering that we are all part of a shared experience.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-65-concert-etiquette-today-from-stadiums-to-symphony-halls/

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 today’s episode two of the most essential, yet often overlooked, skills in modern etiquette: how to say “no” with grace and how to navigate difficult conversations with tact.

Many of us struggle with these moments. We fear disappointing others, appearing unkind, or creating tension. Yet true elegance is revealed not when life is easy, but when situations feel delicate.

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 reflects on the long-lost etiquette traditions that once shaped how we connected with one another and why many of them deserve a thoughtful revival in 2026.

From the art of the handwritten note to the grace of a proper introduction, Louise explores how good manners were never about rigid rules, but about making others feel comfortable, seen, and respected. In a fast, digital world, these small courtesies are more relevant than ever.

This episode is a gentle reminder that the traditions worth reviving are not about returning to the past. They are about bringing forward what still serves us: kindness, awareness, and consideration.

Good manners are not outdated. They are simply waiting to be practised again. 

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-63-the-etiquette-come-back-we-didnt-know-we-needed/

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 someone we love is facing a serious illness, our instincts often collide with uncertainty. What do we say? What should we avoid? How do we support without overwhelming, intruding, or disappearing altogether?

In this heartfelt episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores the etiquette of care, friendship, and compassion when a loved one seriously ill.This is not about rules, but about presence, sensitivity, and the quiet manners that matter most during life’s hardest seasons.

A gentle guide for anyone who wants to show up with kindness, respect dignity, and offer comfort when words often fall short.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-62-the-etiquette-of-care-when-words-matter-most/

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 is style, really? Is it about trends, or is it something far more personal?

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise is joined by her dear friend Chrissie, a print designer whose life has taken her across many countries and cultures. Together, they explore the idea of style as something lived and experienced, rather than something dictated by fashion cycles.

Drawing on Chrissie’s time living abroa, particularly in Indonesia, the conversation reflects on how travel, culture, craftsmanship, and intention quietly shape the way we dress, decorate, and live. From mixing old and new to embracing meaningful pieces and everyday rituals, this episode is a gentle reminder that true style evolves over time.

Relaxed, thoughtful, and deeply personal, this is a conversation about trusting your instincts and allowing style to grow naturally alongside you.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-61-what-style-really-is-travel-culture-and-intention/

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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As a new year begins, many women find themselves exploring new roles, new businesses, or a renewed desire to feel confident and professional at work.
In this episode Louise explores modern business etiquette for today’s woman. This is not about old-fashioned rules, but about contemporary manners that build confidence, clarity, and professional presence.

From communication and boundaries to returning to work or managing your own business, Louise shares practical guidance to help you begin the year feeling poised, prepared, and assured, wherever your professional path may be leading.

SHOW NOTES: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-60-new-year-new-professional-presence-modern-business-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...

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January often encourages dramatic change and bold promises.

In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores a quieter, more refined approach to New Year’s resolutions.

Rather than focusing on fitness, food or self-reinvention, Louise reframes confidence as something built through manners, etiquette and thoughtful communication. She answers the real questions women ask when they hesitate at the idea of a “manners course”, addressing misconceptions with warmth, clarity and modern relevance.

This episode is for people who manage well on the outside but seek greater ease, presence and confidence in everyday life, both socially and professionally. A calm, practical conversation about refinement, reassurance and showing up with quiet confidence in the year ahead.

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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If the thought of hosting fills you with anxiety rather than anticipation, this episode is for you.

In From Panic to Poise, Hosting with Confidence, Louise Percy gently unpacks why entertaining so often feels overwhelming and how, with thoughtful planning and a shift in mindset, it can once again become a joy.

Drawing on her own experience hosting a milestone birthday luncheon for forty guests, Louise shares practical wisdom, elegant reassurance and a failsafe event planning checklist developed over more than 30 years.

This episode is an invitation to let go of perfection, embrace preparation and host with warmth, presence and quiet 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...