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About Cynthia Lett
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Proper manners with friends,family,colleagues,neighbors and everyone else you know.

Experience
I have been an etiquette expert teaching and consulting on the subject worldwide since 1983. I started and run the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals and am considered a leader in the field. I edited "Etiquette for Dummies" and have recently written "Lett's Talk - Everyday Etiquette Dilemmas and What to Do about Them". I taught the Business Protocol class to Master's level students at the George Washington University, Washington, DC. Chief of Protocol for MCI Telecommunications.

Organizations
International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals, ASTD, PCMA, National Speakers Association

Publications
I have been quoted over 700 times in the past 5 years worldwide. Publications include Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Washington Times, NY Times, Washington Business Journal, USA Today, Associated Press, London Times, Newsweek Japan edition, Newsweek US edition and many many more.

Education/Credentials
I am a Certified Etiquette Professional (CEP) and Certified Protocol Professional (CPP) earned by examination through ISPEP. I have a Master's degree in hospitality law and undergrad degrees in Restaurant & Hotel Management and Public Relations/Interpersonal Communications from Purdue University.

Awards and Honors
Who's Who Worldwide,Who's Who of American Women, Distinguished Darden Professor (Purdue University).

Past/Present Clients
World Bank, United Nations,US Dept. of State, US. Dept. of the Army, Pentagon, Barclays Global Investors,Accenture,AT&T,Bank of America,American Association of Clinical Pharmacies,Ritz Carlton Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels,Starwood Hotels,and many more.

   

You are here:  Experts > Health/Fitness > Self-Improvement/Self-Help > Social Etiquette and Good Manners

SubjectDate AskedExpert

Guest Dress Code for Debutant Ball11/13/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: My husband and I have been invited to a Debutant Ball, My husband is wearing a tukedo, what is the ...
  A: It sounds as if the invitation said formal and your husband is right to wear a tuxedo. You need to ...
How to return an expensive present11/12/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I was recently given an expensive present by a friend/exboyfriend. It was a gift certificate for ...
  A: It is rude to give back a gift you have been given - no matter your perception of its worth. When ...
Birthday Card Etiquette11/12/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: My husband and I sent a birthday card to his mother. She cannot see very well and relies on her ...
  A: Emery: I can imagine what your thoughts are about this situation and I believe we share them to some ...
Introduction11/11/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: How should my boyfriend introduce me. We have been living 3 years together, are past our ...
  A: There is no official way to introduce "live in honeys" by etiquette standards. That said, you ...
high school graduation monetary gifts11/10/2009Suzanne Zazulak Pedro
  Q: I'm a disabled mother of a high school senior, so I don't get out to socialize and ask questions of ...
  A: First, may I congratulate you and your son on his success in his impending graduation from high ...
invitations to colleagues11/10/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I wonder if I'm being oversensitive. A new colleague (she joined 8 months ago) in our very small ...
  A: Often when people choose to invite only the "professionals" in a firm to an event of significance it ...
Senior graduation announcements for twins11/10/2009Suzanne Zazulak Pedro
  Q: I have twin daughters who are both graduating from High School this Spring 2010. Virtually ALL ...
  A: First, I must congratulate you and your daughters on their impending success graduating high school. ...
suspenders and belts11/9/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: I am not overweight and do not need this to hold up my pants, but I like the look of wearing a belt ...
  A: I am sorry that I didn't address the question head on for you. I will do so now. This is not an ...
Informal Family Gathering11/9/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: A relative and myself were discussing about getting our family together at our cousins restaurant. ...
  A: Don't be hard on yourself,this is much different than sending out engraved invitations and then ...
in law terror, Moving out..11/8/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I have been living with my future in laws for nearly two years, across the country from my home.. ...
  A: W.: I am so sorry that living with your fiance's parents has been so troubling. You are right to ...
Dinner Invites11/8/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: My husband and I have noticed that we always do the inviting, including friends and family. We buy ...
  A: First of all, you are not doing anything wrong - you are just more savvy than your friends. Many ...
Thanksgiving invites11/8/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: My brother was recently married and now his wife's family is a part of ours. For Thanksgiving I ...
  A: Your new sister-in-law should not have simply invited someone else to your Thanksgiving dinner. It ...
50th birthday gift - money11/7/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: My brother in law is throwing his wife a surprise 50th birthday party at a nice restaurant which he ...
  A: What you give to your sister for her 50th birthday should be something that you think she will like ...
Protocol for Introductions11/7/2009Suzanne Zazulak Pedro
  Q: When making introductions of dignitaries at a formal event, can you share the order in which they ...
  A: Kelly, Thank you for your inquiry for protocol introductions. One of "the" cardinal rules in ...
salutations11/6/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I really never know, when writing a 'thank you' note (or any note) to friends and family, whether to ...
  A: The proper way to address an envelope for two people who are living together but not married is: ...
40th b-day invites11/4/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: Is it ever ok to sell tickets to a 40th b-day celebration like they do for stag parties? My friend ...
  A: I am sorry but it is never OK to ask people to pay for attending a function that they have been ...
NEW IMMIGRANT FIRST DAY AT OFFICE IN CANADA11/4/2009Jay Remer
  Q: My name is Sarah and i've just moved from Pakistan to Toronto. i got a job in downtown and will ...
  A: I know how difficult that alone was in addition to speaking of your situation. My advice is to ...
Eating Fried Chicken11/3/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: At a semi-formal banquet where fried chicken is served may it be eaten by picking it up with the ...
  A: I have never been to a semi-formal affair where fried chicken was served, but if it is served, you ...
my family & their relationship with my ex11/3/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: I had been married for 18 years with 3 kids. I have a large family and some of them are staying in ...
  A: While I can appreciate not wanting to go into detail with your family on the exact causes of the ...
Christmas Card/Recent Death11/2/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: In January of this year a good friend from high school passed away unexpectadly. We lived in ...
  A: Please do send the cards. It will most certainly be a difficult time for the whole family, but it ...
birthday cards11/2/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: How long after a birthday/anniversary can a card be sent? I have received some up to 2 months after ...
  A: Great question! The nuance is lost after a week. A belated card can safely be sent up to two weeks ...
Graduate Party Invitations11/2/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: My wife will be graduating with her doctorate degree and she wants a party with all her friends and ...
  A: It is never appropriate to ask for gifts - any gifts. It is especially rude to ask for money. Your ...
restaurant etiquette11/2/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: I was out to dinner with my husband at a fine restaurant. During the course of our meal, a couple ...
  A: Berger, You did the correct thing. The man just said hello spontaneously because you caught each ...
questions11/1/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: How do I address my wedding invitation to my godfathers widow? Is it also proper to send her a ...
  A: She is Mrs Milford F Renquist until the days she dies or until she remarries. It is not ...
First Date - Is Housewaming Gift Appropriate (just moved into new home)10/30/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: I will be going on a first date with a guy that I know through friends. He will be moving into his ...
  A: Err on the side of caution and pass for now. The home will still be new for several more months yet ...
President wants to borrow bus pass10/30/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I work at a small company (12 people). The president of my company has asked me on multiple ...
  A: You are neither ungrateful for your job or wrong in your assessment of improper behavior by your ...
Invitation not wanted10/29/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: A female co-worker is getting married within the year and she plans on inviting everybody in the ...
  A: Simply wait for the invitation to arrive and then decline it politely. Sending your regrets closes ...
surprise birthday party10/28/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: my mom is giving my dad a 60th surprise birthday party and was wonder was it ok to register for ...
  A: Jenkins, No,it is not appropriate to register for gifts for a birthday. People are to be ...
Retirement Dinner10/28/2009Jay Remer
  Q: I have been invited to a small retirement dinner for a colleague that is being held at another ...
  A: You are implying that because the party is being catered and the host is not slaving over a hot ...
Rude to ask for a gift?!?!10/28/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I have a question. My step-sister and I have had very limited contact in the last few years. Due to ...
  A: It is always rude to ask for a gift. That said, your step-sister seems to be grasping at a ...
who pays for the movie?10/27/2009Jay Remer
  Q: We have a 12.5 yr. old daughter who is an only child. We would like to know when we invite a friend ...
  A: You are 100% correct. I can't imagine what these other parents are thinking. This is a perfect time ...
Sending Invite to Someone Who Had Death in Family10/27/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: We are christening our daughter and would like to invite a close family whose daughter sadly passed ...
  A: Life goes on and inviting this family to the Christening is appropriate. Do include a note ...
salutations10/27/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I really never know, when writing a 'thank you' note (or any note) to friends and family, whether to ...
  A: The rule is that when you sign a letter, the other persons for whom you are also signing have their ...
signing cards10/26/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: I live with my boyfriend but generally I sign birthday cards to my family etc with just my name. Is ...
  A: Clearly your family members know that the two of you live together,so if you want to sign both ...
family-style dining10/26/2009Cynthia Lett
  Q: I have a friend who eats at my home occasionally. She fills her plate as the food is passed, eats ...
  A: As the host it would be rude to say anything to your friend about how she piles her food on her ...
How to educate relatives about etiquette rules when they visit me10/26/2009Amanda Gamble
  Q: My husband's nephews and nieces visit us almost every weekend as they live in the same town. They do ...
  A: You do not say how old these nephews and nieces are,but it doesn't matter really. This is your house ...
50th Anniversary "Dutch Treat" Local Resturant10/25/2009Jay Remer
  Q: Is it etiquette to invite family and close friends to a 50th Anniversary with notation on invitation ...
  A: No, it is not proper etiquette to send out an invitation stating 'Dutch Treat'. Such invitations are ...
Teapot gift10/23/2009Jay Remer
  Q: Jay, since you were so wonderful with my question about friends inviting me out for a 40th birthday ...
  A: You are not asking too many questions. That is what I do - answer questions, so feel free. Yes, ...
Teapot gift10/23/2009Jay Remer
  Q: Jay, since you were so wonderful with my question about friends inviting me out for a 40th birthday ...
  A: This is kind of humorous really. By all means, phone the mother and explain the situation. Simply ...
acknowledging birthday cards10/23/2009Jay Remer
  Q: Is it necesisary to acknowledge greeting cards ?
  A: Although it would not be appropriate to acknowledge a card with a note (unless it had a nice fat ...

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Questions by
Active Experts:
William HansonJay RemerSuzanne Zazulak Pedro
Amanda GambleCynthia Lett 

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