You’re almost on vacation! One by one you tick off tasks on your pre-vacation to do list. Phew! Finally. Almost “gone fishing.” One last check and off you go! This final duty is simple and quick, but very crucial in maintaining a professional image and service attitude: inputting your absence alert messages on your phone and inbox. […]
What title should you use to when speaking to you Caitlyn Jenner? Since her transition, it seems that everyone has an opinion on it. “Dad” — that is what Brandon, Burt, Brody, Casey, Kylie and Kendall are calling her. Why? She asked them to. Simple, isn’t it? Even better yet, her children respectfully asked her what […]
You open your computer and ding! — another invitation for a networking cocktail enters your inbox. This is the season for professional reunions and get togethers. How do you feel? You rub your hands together, excited at the thought of meeting lots of new potential customers? Or frankly, you’d like to tell me that you […]
I am a soon to be mother-in-law to a beautiful woman. A late summer wedding is planned. The bride and groom recently decided that a “stag and doe” was too much work. They opted for separate affairs: a wedding shower for the women and a camping weekend for the men. My son and his future […]
After 20 years of living together, we will be having a wedding. My partner has finally asked me to marry him. In fact, from the beginning, it was he who wanted this traditional sealing of the knot. The big day will be this fall. The wife of his best friend suggested (actually, strongly insisted) that […]
Every Easter long weekend, I recall my semi-practicing Catholic childhood, and all the rituals associated with this springtime celebration. On Good Friday, we visit St. Joseph’s Oratory and dining is usually fish, filet of sole to be precise, and at three o’clock sharp, the whole street stops playing and all the kids look up at […]
I recently facilitated a children’s workshop. Without warning, a colleague filmed to record the entire session, including my interactions with boys and girls. I was surprised, uneasy, but did not say or do anything. Another presenter was also filmed. She too was uncomfortable by this recording. I wanted to discuss this with upper management. A colleague advised […]
“No.” This two-letter answer, favoured by two-year-olds, is short, simple, to the point and absolutely your choice to use to refuse a request. But, for most adults, it is not as easily said as for the little one who smiles and rhythmically nods his head back and forth. In business, and in our community, there […]
My niece is getting married in a civil ceremony, in May. Since this Valentine’s Day announcement, the family climate is extremely explosive with regards to the payment of her wedding. According to wedding etiquette guidelines, do her parents have to pay? Please enlighten us. *** Getting married is expensive, especially if one dreams of a […]
So you want to conduct business internationally? As the famous quote, that refers to the journey of St. Augustine in Rome, says: If you are in Rome, live like the Romans; if you are elsewhere, live as they live.” As a global entrepreneur, it is your responsibility to find out about professional practices elsewhere on […]
Yes, the contemporary workplace is evolving and no, your manager or human resources representative may not have had “that” talk about how rude or inappropriate you are, but you could be embarrassing yourself, your superior and your entire organization. “Says who?” you ask. Well of course this etiquette expert, but also 84 per cent of upper and middle-level […]
You walk into the office and right away are told you will have to travel for business. Your boss stops you in your tracks: “Go home and pack your bag. Our European client needs you. You are booked on the 17h05 flight.” Are you thinking “Yeah!” or “Yuck!”? One thing is for sure, questions abound […]
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julie@julieblaiscomeau.com
I’m Julie Blais Comeau, Canada’s bilingual etiquette specialist. My mission is simple: to give you the know-how to shine positively at work and in the community.
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