Beyond the Oyster Fork: An Etiquette Expert’s Tips for ‘Relationships, Work, and Life’

Knowing which fork to use or when to put your napkin on your lap at a formal dinner is important, but etiquette extends far beyond galas and black-tie weddings, according to Alison Cheperdak.

Etiquette is “ultimately about kindness and respect and integrity and leading a life with compassion where you see the dignity in every human person, including yourself,” Cheperdak, the founder of Elevate Etiquette, says.

An important part of practicing etiquette is slowing down enough to listen to the person in front of you and asking engaging questions, she explains.

We’ve all been there—standing in the break room at work trying to think of something to say to the coworker you don’t know well, or awkwardly trying to excuse yourself from a stale conversation at a party. These are the situations Cheperdak provides practical tools for navigating in her new book “Was It Something I Said?: Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work and Life.”

Cheperdak joins “Problematic Women” to share her favorite tools for navigating some of life’s most common and awkward social settings. Plus, she explains how she is using her knowledge of etiquette to train White House interns and some of the most common social mistakes young professionals make today.

Enjoy the show and pick up your copy of “Was It Something I Said?” wherever books are sold starting March 17.