It is always best to maintain a low profile when you are travelling overseas. 

Polite behaviour and common sense will help avoid or repair any uncomfortable situations. 

Respect and adapt to the culture and language of the country you are visiting. Don’t be surprised if maybe your server does not speak English. And if they do, speak slowly. It is not their first language.

Try to blend in with others. While assertiveness may be an important quality for some of us, it is frowned upon in Asia. That doesn’t necessarily mean we are rude. Canadians are known to be polite.

Dress the part. Try to look well-kept and dressed according to the venue you will be attending. Europeans and South Americans dress more formally. Don’t wear T-shirts, cutoffs or flip-flops when in cities abroad. Leave that for the beach towns. No logo’d shirts, no baseball caps worn backward. All those things identify you as a tourist from the Americas. 

Tipping: check what the local custom is. Tipping is offensive in some parts of the world. People feel that they get paid enough for their work and they consider this public kind of payment offensive.

And always check before you travel. 

What people are saying:

Thank you Adeodata for the meaningful newsletter. You are amazing to be able to find something new and interesting. A true educator!

Erik Gero

Always a Joy to read about new etiquette trends.

–  Annie Landu

Thank you Adeodata for this lovely letter. Well said. 

–  Valerie Dooley

Nagyon jó Aporkám, olvassuk írásaidat. Oktassad a népet, hadd tanuljanak valami szépet. 

–  Péter

Nagyon hasznos információk az emberek közti kapcsolatról, viselkedésr?l

Leila

Thank you very much for your great presentation that everyone one enjoyed and learned.

Irfan Ahmed
Alumni Association of University of Engineering & Technology, Lahor

“I am writing on behalf of the young ladies and their families to extend our deepest gratitude for the exceptional etiquette session you recently conducted. The lesson was incredibly well received by the girls, and we are confident that the positive impact will continue to improve their comportment in various situations. Your guidance has already made a meaningful difference, and we look forward to seeing how the skills they’ve learned will further enhance their behavior in the future. We would greatly appreciate staying informed about any upcoming events or sessions, as we believe these valuable lessons will continue to equip the girls with the skills they need to navigate their futures with confidence and grace. Thank you once again for your dedication and the positive influence you had on them.”

Corina Georgescu

Upcoming Workshops

Kidiquette

Age: 9 to 12  Time: 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Saturday, August 3

Saturday, August 18 

Saturday, September 14

Price: $50 for one student; $80 for two students, $100 for three

Teen etiquette workshop

Age: 13 to 17 Time: 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

Saturday, August 10 – full

Sunday, August 11two spots left

Tuesday, August 20two spots left

Sunday, September 15 two spots left

Saturday, September 21

Includes: three-course lunch, a ten-page workbook and a quiz

Price: $175; $295 for two students, $350 for three, $400 for four

Adult etiquette workshop

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, August 4

Saturday, September 28

Otherwise, mostly private sessions

Includes: three-course lunch, an 11-page workbook and a quiz

Price: $295, $450 for two persons, $550 for three, $600 for four;

University students: $175;

Address: 100 Dowling Avenue, Toronto