Tag Archives: Etiquette

Etiquette, Men, Women

What is Good Eye Contact?

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Good eye contact will automatically make you look more confident and show you are paying attention. But what is good eye contact? Depending on who you ask, the answer will be different. Some say about 40% – 60% of the time while others say 70% of the time. The correct answer? I will let you know when I find out.

However, I think the real answer is based on the goal. Keeping your eyes on the person, close to eye level the majority of the time will show that you are paying attention to what is being said. This is perfect for business. Letting your eyes drift down towards the mouth occasionally indicates that you are more interested in them as a person. Save this for social settings when you want to get to know someone better. And you can tell the other person is receptive to the idea. The lower the eyes drift onto the body the more intimate the attention. This kind of attention can make someone uncomfortable and should be reserved accordingly.

Colour, Look Younger, Make up, Women

Conceal Blemishes and Dark Circles

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Using a q-tip or a fine concealer brush, apply concealer to any area that needs extra covering. The best concealer colour is one that matches your foundation or the colour of the skin next to the concealed area (if you are going Au naturale). With your ring finger pat and press it into place. Concealer can be applied alone, on top or below foundation.

Colour, Look Younger, Make up, Women

Prepare Your Face for Make-up

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A flawless make-up application requires a bit of prep. Start with a clean face using products designed for your skin type.  If your skin is flakey, exfoliate as part of the skincare process. Finish with a moisturizer designed for your skin type. Let the moisturizer absorb for about 15 minutes prior to your foundation application. Moisturizer will create the perfect canvas for your make-up masterpiece.

Business Dress, Look Younger, Wardrobe, Women

The Wrong Underwear

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You know, we have all seen it… the sagging or bumpy breasts, jiggling rear ends and the underwear straps that show. These are all examples of the wrong underwear. Although, the wrong undergarments will sabotage your image in any situation, it is even more of an issue at work. Why? If the desired focus is your product or service and you want to appear credible in your presentation of that product or service, then the focus should be on that product or service. The wrong underwear is not only distracting, it can make others uncomfortable. In other words, when at work, do you want people to be thinking about your underwear or what a great job you and your company can do for them? The right underwear will keep everything in place and help keep attention focused on what’s important at the time. Your silhouette will appear smoother and you will look slimmer.

Etiquette

The Canadian Way to Exchange Business Cards

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As Canadians, we tend to adopt the customs of other cultures. And when it comes to the business card exchange it is no different. There are two ways that we Canadians exchange business cards the Japanese way and the European way. 

The Japanese / Asian business exchange is universally considered to be the most formal. The business card is held with both hands on the top corners of the card. Thumbs on top. The card is received the same way holding the business card on the bottom corners. 

The European business card exchange formula is considered a little less formal from a global perspective. However, it is still considered correct and many Canadians prefer it over the Japanese method. The business card is held in your right hand with your thumb on the top left corner of the card. Receive the business card with the right hand on the bottom right corner of the card. 

Either way, take a moment to look at the card before putting it away.

Etiquette

Business Card Etiquette

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Even though the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver / Whistler will be a social event for most, there may be an opportunity to exchange business cards. Unfortunately many of us were never given instruction on how to conduct this exchange. Here are a few tips: 

  • Wait to be asked – don’t just hand them out.
  • When asked for a business card it is polite to reciprocate the exchange
  • In many cultures the business card is considered very important. When receiving a business card, take a moment to look at the card before putting it away.
  • Respect the card – don’t just stuff it into your back pocket. Place it carefully into a business card holder or into a jacket pocket.
  • Don’t pull out your pen and make notes on the card. This again is about respecting the giver and the card. 
  • When handing out a business card, the card is held with the print facing upright on the card so the receiver can read it.
Business Dress, Colour, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Do Socks Really Matter?

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In the Vancouver City Hall Protocol Manual for the 2010 Olympics one of the clothing details that were addressed was wearing the right socks. Although, this may seem very basic or even unnecessary to some, you would be surprised how many of us get it wrong. When choosing your socks consider the following:

  • Coordinate your sock colour to the hem of your pants. For men, neutral tones work best.
  • The thicker the sock the more casual the look. This style works best with casual clothing and casual shoes; the thinner the sock the more dressy the look. Always wear thinner socks when dressed in trousers or slacks and thin soled shoes. 
  • Avoid sport socks for work
  • When worn with pants, socks should cover the shins. This way it is unlikely your shins will show when sitting with your legs crossed, unless your pants are too short. (a later blog post).
  • Never wear socks with sandals.
Business Dress, Etiquette, Uncategorized, Wardrobe

Olympic Etiquette – Is Vancouver Going Overboard?

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It is an exciting time to be living in Vancouver. With the Olympics less than two weeks away, there is a buzz of excitement in the air and a lot of controversy. Over this past week I had calls from Global TV news and CTV news asking my impression of a etiquette / protocol policy guide that the City of Vancouver, created for it’s staff members. The media wanted two questions answered. 1) Is a protocol policy manual a waste of tax payer’s money?  2) Does the policy manual go overboard with the amount of detail and some of the items it covers? Here is what I said on CTV.

Olympic Protocol – Are We Going Overboard? Kimberly Law’s Perspective

My only regret? I didn’t try harder to get tickets.

Business Dress, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Deodorant or Antiperspirant Marks on Clothing How to Get Rid of Them

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I think it has happened to all of us at one time or another. Even the clear gel antiperspirants often leave white marks on our clothing. If you have found an antiperspirant that doesn’t leave a mark, I would love to hear about it.

The good thing although this can be frustrating, it is also easy to remove. Rub an old pair of panty hose over the area and the marks should vanish quickly.

Business Dress, Look Younger, Uncategorized, Wardrobe

How to Keep Your Bra Straps from Showing

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Over the past few years, a popular look for women has been wearing layered tank tops and casual camisoles with the bra straps showing. Although there may be a time and place for this look, it isn’t appropriate for every occasion. Unfortunately, many of us have a problem with bra straps slipping. If your budget or body shape doesn’t allow you the option for purchasing multiple bra styles, there are several great solutions:

Bra clips (which are available under a number of different names) are a plastic clip which will clip the bra straps together, holding them in the center of your back. http://www.thestrapper.com

When your bra style has the option for changing the straps, clear plastic bra straps work well. They stay in place and generally aren’t noticeable even when you are moving around.

Fashion Tape can also work to keep your bra straps in place.