Tiffany Nielsen

Dining Etiquette, Business Etiquette and Children's Workshop

What Would Charlene Say? Part 3: Three Habits of Gracious Living

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Here’s Part 3 of the daily habit campaign! I’m confident you will find this one necessary for surviving our wobbly, unpredictable life!

Give Thanks. She never complained (at least out loud) to me about surgery or another round of chemo/radiation. She didn’t whine to the doctors, her nurses or the assistants. In fact, Charlene frequently expressed to her oncologist…

Learn to celebrate what's good in the world

What Would Charlene Say? Three Habits for Gracious Living!

“Thank you for taking care of me. I’ve learned so much and I am fascinated by the science and technology that help people like me”. And, if it weren’t for cancer, I wouldn’t know all you great people.”

Leave it to my dear mom (in-law) to be thankful for her situation while her entourage uncomfortably awaited the reading of CAT scans. Charlene Nielsen found the silver lining in everything and everyone.

To recap Charlene’s Three Habits for Gracious Living:
1. Get Dressed.
2. Smile.
3. Give Thanks.

Which habit would you like to see more people practice, and why?

If you please, post your thoughts in the comment section below. By posting, you are helping others benefit from your honest and respectful perspective.

“Give thanks for what is right in the world. Let God worry about the rest.”
 – Charlene Nielsen,  Author, Grandma, Mother and Premier Etiquettes’ Editor (in heaven)

Tiffany Nielsen, Founder and CEO of Premier Etiquette, is your favorite Etiquette Lady and Personal Stylist. She lives in Exeter, CA with her husband, David and travels nationwide representing ideas and strategies that help remedy social and business faux pas. You are invited to attend Tiffany’s upcoming program, Mother May I May 27 or 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. at Snappy Casual Consulting in Bakersfield or at Brandman University in Visalia, CA. The program cost is $34.00.

Please register for Bakersfield’s Mother May I, Etiquette and Style Class here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-year-true-you-bakersfields-workshop-series-for-women-tickets-9943018837

© Tiffany Nielsen | Premier Etiquette. All Rights Reserved.

Robotic Professionalism

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FIRST Team

FIRST Team Gracious Professionalism

Robotic Professionalism 

The opportunity to share all things “etiquette” is, as you know, my calling by design, my chosen job, and my robotic nature.

Meet Michael, a student I met during my collegian business etiquette presentation at Central California’s Reedley College this past Thursday. To his classroom full of bright, aspiring leaders, I asked the question, “When you think of etiquette, what words or thoughts come to mind”? Michael’s answer? “Chivalry.”

[Read more…]

Dining Etiquette Experience

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My passion for people and food have led me to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience which takes guests on a delicious expedition of superior dinner selections accompanied by specially paired wines. The very first of these events in Exeter was presented last month to a full house. From Bakersfield, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia and Exeter, influential and exciting enthusiasts gathered with a sincere attitude towards learning the tenants of formal dining while enjoying the splendor of excellent company and poetic atmosphere.

Monet’s of Exeter, CA hosted the dining experience and, without a doubt, surpassed the expectations of everyone in attendance. Along with the tantalizing food and wine, the dining tutorial on all things “Continental and American” surprised and inspired guests to further inquire about the niceties of pairing wines with French food and proper ways to navigate a place setting. The showdown over how to dine Continental style was addressed with gratitude.  Balancing vegetables on the backside of a fork is no small task for most of us.

Keeping the menu a secret up to the start of the event and the “ooo’s and ahhh’s” that greeted each course confirmed expectations that “good things come to those who wait.”  Being comfortable in any dining environment enhances the pleasure of gathering with family and friends and making new friends and business contacts.

This special occasion to dine in Exeter brought people to our town who might otherwise have missed the special role we all play in building our reputation of small town charm with cultural splash. From art and culinary choices to architecture and farming, we the keepers of Exeter continue to thrive together through endless innovations that tempt the tastes of everyone we encounter.

To sign up for the next dining experience, an event you don’t want your out of town friends to miss, go to www.tiffanynielsen.com

Bon Appetit!

Dining Etiquette: Fishing Around with Knives

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Dining Etiquette
Fishing Around with Knives

At the moment, my wife and I are having dinner at a beautiful restaurant in Hawaii and we have an etiquette question for you. Is this a butter-like knife to the right of my plate? We have a butter knife on the bread plate to the left and find it puzzling to have two of the same funny looking knives at a place setting.

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Aloha Savvy Diner,

What lies to the right of your plate is a Fish Knife, a type of knife not often seen in restaurants these days. Wow, I envy you!  You know how I love fine dining!

So, how do you use this fancy fish knife…that is what you really want to know, right?   Take notice of the photo above and look for the notch and scallop carving on the knife. This artistic edging serves as extra help for lifting away bones when not already performed by the chef.

Practice makes perfect (and it gives you confidence too) so learn to fillet your own fish. Here are the steps:

  • Starting at the neck, insert the tip of the knife underneath the backbone.
  • Slide the knife down to the tail, underneath the backbone all the way.
  • Lift off gently and place on your plate or the extra plate provided by your server.

My friend Jennifer gave me an antique fish knife for my birthday; a very fitting gift for a dining etiquette junkie like me! If you want to learn how to use the fish knife in person, join me September 19, 2011 for our “Family Dining Etiquette: Formal Dining at its Finest” program in Exeter, CA. Quickly register for this sell-out program and come learn just how easy it is!

Ask Tiffany: What Do I Do When I Can’t Remember a Name?

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Tiffany, is there any way of handling what to do when you run into people and you have to introduce them to the people you are with, but you can’t remember names?

– B. Hart- Three Rivers, CA

Dear Thoughtful Introducer,

Some people are exceptionally proficient at remembering names, making the art of introductions look like a walk in the park.

Take Franklin D. Roosevelt. His staff members were amazed at his ability to recall the names of people he had met only once. When asked how he did it, he simply imagined seeing their names written across their foreheads.  I wonder… who taught him this level of social etiquette?

My husband and I have an unspoken rule that helps us avoid the uncomfortable situation of not remembering names when really; most of the time, we ought to know names of people standing before us. Having this rule (and I hope you will borrow it) influences us to choose the principle of etiquette: respect.

If David is supposed to be introducing me and doesn’t, that’s my cue to stick my hand out and say “Hi, I’m Tiffany Nielsen.”  This helps put him at ease, I gain a new friend and etiquette prevails in making us all comfortable.

Another helpful tip…

Say to your nameless friend(s), “Hi, I’d like to introduce you to our good friends Tiffany and David Nielsen.”  David and Tiffany will say, “Nice to meet you” and then will ask “What is your name?” Ta-da the name mystery is solved and people form a new relationship!

My most thoughtful mother in law Charlene has this art of introductions nailed down and I rest on her plan for solving icky meet and greet situations.  In her words, “As for my own failures in this regard, sometimes I just blush and say, ‘Forgive me, I can’t believe I’m drawing a blank,’ or whatever, as I request the name of somebody I’ve known forever.”

The good news for Charlene, as well as for us all, is an often gracious response that we aren’t the only one with this affliction.

The Power of Civility offers resources for learning more about how to get through introductions “Suzi” style. Who’s Suzi? Guess you will have pick up your copy of this brand new book to find out.