People Polish - Civility, Style and Social Fluency

Etiquette is about human interaction. It serves to make situations predictable, pleasant and smooth. Knowing the proper etiquette will make you master of any situation, inspiring in you the utmost confidence and poise.

Because etiquette is specific to - and entirely dictated by - situations, times, societies and cultures, its rules are established democratically and its definitions determined by consensus. At People Polish, we make business etiquette a perpetual study, generating our information via polls and first-hand observation as much as the from other experts' writings. On our site, you'll find blogs and forums, free IT resources for your own teaching opportunities, training videos and information on hosting People Polish Seminars.

Other Excellent Resources

Emily Post's has been the foremost name in Etiquette since her first publication on the subject, in 1922.

The Emily Post Institute is still thriving, and her descendents currently publish updated versions of her work to keep current with the ever-changing social norms. They offer expert advice through various other media, as well, and are frequently cited in the top journals.

While everybody hoping to be successful needs Polish, international professionals face additional challenges in the American workplace. Social norms differ by culture, and many of the soft skills native-born people possess are new to visitors.

Articulate Training specializes in the Art of American Business Communication. Their exhaustive curriculum was developed and refined at the university level, where outstanding results have welcomed their expansion to private industry.

While fashion changes with the seasons, is simultaneously spectacular and absurd, and available only to the very wealthy and the very dedicated, style is immutable. The dress code of the professional world is classic, and myriad are the ways to make negative impressions with sartorial goofs.

Glenn O'Brien's style advice is second-to-none in its accuracy, thoroughness and hilarity. He updates his well-indexed blog regularly, answering readers' questions and commenting on his own observations.

New On Our Blog

Interview Attire for Nerds

Challenged by a group of engineering students denying the existence of a dress code in technical fields, Ted Hawkes goes on location to an engineering career fair at Arizona State University. He interviews several dozen recruiters and hiring managers about the proper attire for an interview and on the job. Read article

Why People Polish?

Every generation has its share of iconoclasts. Ours rail against The Man, The Institution or The Power, refusing to conform to societal norms. Nonconformity is certainly a noble venture, but one that must be embarked upon with a healthy supply of caution. If you care to succeed in most careers in mainstream society, it's probably an attitude best reserved for the weekend.

It's not our place to state that a civilized demeanor is the best, happiest, or only way to exist, but it's certainly the most prudent for ambitious professionals looking to climb a ladder. We won't preach to you, nor insist that "you should..." But we will, frequently, tell you that you should...if you want a raise. Read article