Manners and Other Matters

Episodes

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  80. The Etiquette of Adult Friendship: When Friendships Change, Drift and End 29.10.2026 29m

  Send us Fan Mail Friendship seems so wonderfully simple when we are young. We sit beside someone at school, meet through university, work, our children or our neighbourhood, and somehow a friendship begins. Adult friendship is rather different. Marriage, divorce, children, careers, retirement, illness, financial circumstances, geography and simply growing older can alter friendships in ways we never anticipated. This episode is particularly personal for me. Five days before recording it, I...
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  79. From Market Basket to Table, The Etiquette of Shopping, Cooking and Eating Well 15.10.2026 21m

  Send us Fan Mail What do good manners have to do with buying an avocado, pushing a supermarket trolley or choosing vegetables at a farmers' market? Quite a lot, as it happens. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy takes us from the fresh food market to the supermarket aisle and, finally, home to the table. Inspired by the arrival of spring in Australia and her own love of cooking and entertaining, Louise explores the small courtesies that make shopping for food a more t...
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  78. The Elegance of Seasonal Living 01.10.2026 31m

  Send us Fan Mail Spring invites us to open the windows, notice what is flowering and welcome a sense of renewal into our everyday lives. In Episode 78 of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy considers how to greet a new season with elegance and intention, without replacing everything we own or attempting to reinvent our lives. From caring for our homes and rediscovering treasured pieces in our wardrobes to renewing friendships, extending thoughtful invitations and respecting the natural ...
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  77. Paws and Poise: Manners for our Pets 17.09.2026 21m

  Send us Fan Mail Dogs are more involved in our social lives than ever before. They join us at cafés, visit friends' homes, accompany us on holidays and, quite rightly, are often considered members of the family. But has the way we teach our dogs good manners changed too? In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores the shift from traditional obedience training towards everyday dog manners and considers eight very modern dilemmas. What should we do about the enthusiastic dog...
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  76. "Can I eat that with my fingers?" Contemporary table manners explained 03.09.2026 27m

  Send us Fan Mail What do you do with an olive pip? Should spaghetti be eaten with a spoon? Is it acceptable to ask for a fork if you cannot use chopsticks, and when is eating with your fingers actually the correct thing to do? In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the small dining dilemmas that can make even a confident person suddenly wonder, “What do I do with that?” From finger foods, skewers and fork-only dining to spaghetti, soup, bread and chopsticks, Lou...
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  75. Jewellery with a Story, Estate Jewellery, Heirlooms and the Return of the Brooch 13.08.2026 29m

  Send us Fan Mail What makes a piece of jewellery truly valuable? Is it the stone, the craftsmanship, the name attached to it, or the story it carries? In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise welcomes back her friend Adrian Dickens, one of Australia’s leading jewellery historians, a personal jeweller and specialist in antique, estate and remodelled jewellery. Drawing on more than four decades in the jewellery world, Adrian shares how an early fascination with Garrard, the Crown J...
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  74. The 10 Modern Etiquette Dilemmas Everyone Secretly Wonders About 06.08.2026 25m

  Send us Fan Mail When did good manners become so complicated? In today's world, we're less likely to wonder which fork to use and far more likely to ask questions such as: Is it rude to leave someone on "read"? How do I politely decline an invitation? Should everyone split the bill equally? Is ghosting ever acceptable? In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores ten of the most common social dilemmas facing adults today. With her signature blend of warmth, practical ...
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  73. Modern Funeral Etiquette, Honouring a Life with Grace and Elegance 23.07.2026 20m

  Send us Fan Mail Death is one of life's few certainties, yet many of us feel uncertain about what is expected when someone dies. Should you attend the funeral? What should you wear? Is a text message enough, or should you send a handwritten condolence card? And what exactly is the difference between a traditional funeral and a celebration of life? In this episode Louise explores the etiquette surrounding funerals and memorial services in today's world. From dress codes and condolence message...
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  72. Decoding Dress Codes with Confidence 09.07.2026 26m

  Send us Fan Mail Have you ever opened a beautiful invitation and felt that little flutter of anxiety at the words printed at the bottom? "Cocktail attire." "Smart casual." "Resort elegant." If so, this episode of Manners and Other Matters is made entirely for you. In this episode, etiquette and protocol expert, Louise Percy, decodes the full spectrum of dress codes you are most likely to encounter, from the formal grandeur of White Tie and Black Tie through to the deceptively tricky territo...
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  71. Little Habits That Create an Elegant Life 25.06.2026 14m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the true meaning of elegance and why it has little to do with designer labels, glamorous lifestyles or outward appearances. Drawing on decades of teaching etiquette and personal development through The Art of an Elegant Life Masterclass, Louise shares how elegance begins with self-respect, kindness and the small rituals that bring beauty and calm to everyday life. From morning routines and mindful transitions...
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  70. Hotel, Resort and Luxury Travel Etiquette for the Confident and Considerate Traveller 11.06.2026 23m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Louise Percy explores the etiquette of hotel and resort stays, covering every stage of the guest experience from arrival to departure, and the many nuanced interactions in between. Show notes: https://thepercyinstitute.com/episode-70-hotel-resort-and-luxury-travel-etiquette-for-the-confident-and-considerate-traveller/ I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyinstitute.com/contact/ Join Louise ...
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  69. Ink Over Emoji… The Timeless Elegance of Handwritten Letters, Thank You Notes and Gracious Correspondence 28.05.2026 22m

  Send us Fan Mail In an age of instant messages and digital noise, the handwritten note has quietly become one of the most powerful and elegant gestures we can offer one another. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the timeless art of handwritten correspondence, and why it matters more than ever. Louise shares the occasions that always call for pen and paper, the four essential elements of a perfectly written thank you note, how to navigate the deeply personal ...
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  68. Ask Louise… The Elegance of Everyday Living 14.05.2026 25m

  Send us Fan Mail What does elegance really look like in everyday life? In this episode Louise answers listener questions about the quiet yet powerful habits that shape grace, confidence and modern elegance. From saying no without guilt, to receiving compliments gracefully, cultivating personal rituals, expressing gratitude, and strengthening presence through non-verbal communication, this episode explores how everyday elegance is often found in the smallest gestures. Louise shares practica...
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  67. Home Away from Home. The Art of Homestay Etiquette 30.04.2026 18m

  Send us Fan Mail Homestays, such as Airbnb have transformed the way we travel, offering comfort, character, and a sense of living like a local. And with this opportunity comes a quiet responsibility, which sits somewhere between being a guest in a private home and a customer in a commercial space. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores the etiquette of Airbnb living, from both the guest and host perspective. With practical insights and elegant reminders, she shares how...
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  66. Through Their Eyes, Children on Modern Manners 16.04.2026 18m

  Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt and refreshingly honest episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise is joined by two very special guests, her grandchildren, aged 10 and 12. Together, they explore what modern manners look like through the eyes of children. From everyday kindness at school to digital etiquette, and from saying “please” and “thank you” to how adults should treat children, this conversation offers surprising insight, gentle humour, and meaningful reflection. What unfolds is...
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  65. Concert Etiquette Today. From Stadiums to Symphony Halls 02.04.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail Live music is one of life’s great pleasures, yet many people quietly wonder how to behave as audiences move between vastly different performance spaces. What feels appropriate at a stadium concert can feel jarring in a concert hall, and silence that feels reverent in one setting can feel awkward in another. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores modern concert etiquette across four key settings, large stadium concerts, intimate contemporary venues, tra...
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  64. Elegant Boundaries: Saying No and Having Difficult Conversations 19.03.2026 19m

  Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode two of the most essential, yet often overlooked, skills in modern etiquette: how to say “no” with grace and how to navigate difficult conversations with tact. Many of us struggle with these moments. We fear disappointing others, appearing unkind, or creating tension. Yet true elegance is revealed not when life is easy, but when situations feel delicate. I'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comments, or ask me any questions here: https://thepercyins...
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  63. The Etiquette Come Back We Didn’t Know We Needed 05.03.2026 19m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise reflects on the long-lost etiquette traditions that once shaped how we connected with one another and why many of them deserve a thoughtful revival in 2026. From the art of the handwritten note to the grace of a proper introduction, Louise explores how good manners were never about rigid rules, but about making others feel comfortable, seen, and respected. In a fast, digital world, these small courtesies are more relevant ...
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  62. The Etiquette of Care: When Words Matter Most 19.02.2026 12m

  Send us Fan Mail When someone we love is facing a serious illness, our instincts often collide with uncertainty. What do we say? What should we avoid? How do we support without overwhelming, intruding, or disappearing altogether? In this heartfelt episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores the etiquette of care, friendship, and compassion when a loved one seriously ill.This is not about rules, but about presence, sensitivity, and the quiet manners that matter most during life’s ha...
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  61. What Style Really is… Travel, Culture and Intention 05.02.2026 24m

  Send us Fan Mail What is style, really? Is it about trends, or is it something far more personal? In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise is joined by her dear friend Chrissie, a print designer whose life has taken her across many countries and cultures. Together, they explore the idea of style as something lived and experienced, rather than something dictated by fashion cycles. Drawing on Chrissie’s time living abroa, particularly in Indonesia, the conversation reflects on how...