Lucrecia 
Happy birthday to the most famous of bards. Born 23 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon – now known as National Shakespeare Day, as well as being St George’s Day – Shakespeare had a huge effect on our language; the Oxford English Dictionary credits him for coining more than 1,600 words in his 52 living years. We … Read more
The land of Mary Poppins, James Bond and Hugh Grant – ah, Great Britain. Our American cousins delight in our accents, traditions and history but not so much in the size of our roads or houses. But is it really so different this side of the Atlantic when it comes to deportment and conduct? Scott … Read more
Earlier this year a Chinese senior analyst who had been working in the US but had recently moved to London came to The British School of Etiquette for an introductory course in British business etiquette, following it up with a dining course. She says Americans are “rather free and casual” compared to the British and … Read more
Women, tired of squeezing themselves into small spaces while men unfold themselves comfortably on public transport, have taken up arms against manspreading in the past few years. The seated posture has been banned on public transport in cities from Madrid to Boston, New York City (where two men have even been arrested for the act) … Read more
From cutlery to seating and napkins to manners, we give you the inside track to fine dining. According to Nicholas Clayton, author of A Butler’s Guide to Table Manners, the way we eat says more about us in a mouthful than our entire CV ever can. That means it is crucial to know your dinner … Read more
The Victorian days of children being seen but not heard are long gone – replaced by a world in which parents often seem all too happy to allow their child to interrupt an adult conversation. Now, even the most well-bred royal children are not immune to the odd childish tantrum. Pageboy Prince George received a … Read more
Are you meeting the Queen? Follow our royal etiquette tips to ensure you get the protocol just right. Contacting the Royal Family Correspondence is only possible by letter, not email or telephone; it is recommended that you first make an informal inquiry to the relevant private secretary or your county lord-lieutenant, the Queen’s most local … Read more
Straight-talking American comedian Chelsea Handler recently received a lesson in afternoon tea etiquette from William Hanson at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon for her Netflix show Chelsea. Her sleeve length was perfectly acceptable, says etiquette expert Philip Sykes, but her greeting – and swearing – was not. The greeting Chelsea Handler: “Hi.” William … Read more
A good butler is a priceless addition to a household, as many TV shows and movies have shown. From Jeeves to Batman, Downtown Abbey to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and The Butler movie, these five screen butlers have served their families well as butlers, valets and right-hand men. Reginald Jeeves, Jeeves and Wooster … Read more
Become a part of the BSE community to keep up to date with our courses, articles and news. Become a better, more confident and professional you!
