AboutCynthia Lett 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.
Question If some out-of-town friends meet you at your home for a drink before dinner,
then you all go out to a restaurant, is it considered common courtesy to invite
them back in after dinner for coffee, tea, after-dinner drinks or whatever?
Answer Dear Patti:
In days gone by a complete evening with others could well have included drinks at your house, dinner out and then back for coffee etc. However, society has changed that courtesy to include whatever pieces of the evening the locals want to engage in. If you are the host, you set the schedule for the evening before the evening starts. If you want your guests to return to your home for coffee and dessert, then that needs to be stated before you leave for dinner. If nothing is spoken of before you leave for dinner, then the evening activities are left up in the air and any expectations one couple may have may not happen. If you are the host and don't want guests back after dinner to your house, then you don't make the invitation. If you don't get an invitation then you aren't going.
