"Stop second guessing yourself, and start operating in the world with the confidence you need to succeed."
- Dr. Clinton Lee
Manner's matter is a fact.
We live in a world of 8 billion plus people, where global immigration waves and vastly different cultures, stride abreast. Life travel and experiences are no longer held hostage within the boundaries of geographical limitations.The omnipresence of the internet and the waves of technological advancement makes the world magically open to us with a touch of a fingertip. So manners matter and their undeniable value is unequivocally important and profound to our interaction with others, be it socially or in the world of international and local business.
Manner’s matter is a fact. In this book, Dr Lee shares his life experiences, his research, his selected topics essential for any person who currently swims in the social seas and rivers, but drowning, due to ignorance. This book shares, illuminates and injects awareness into you about the fundamentals, the ins and outs of securing smooth societal contact with others.
In this book you will have before you the knowledge and tips on the following and more. How you hold yourself, talk to others and engage with your surroundings can make or break an important relationship. When you meet and interact with new people, there are small, largely unspoken factors--like active listening and emotional attractiveness--that influence how much they trust and connect with you. By learning etiquette in both casual and formal settings, you will be able to find deeper, more fulfilling relationships. Learn how to cultivate important skills such as:
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Introducing Yourself to a Group
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Dressing to Visit a Home or Party
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Communication Etiquette with Cell Phones and Email
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How to Taste, Select, and Pair Wine
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Setting the Table for a Formal Dinner
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Dress Code for Business Travel Abroad
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Interview Etiquette
The best part is that everything builds on itself. By mastering personal etiquette--like learning about the arts, cultural differences and global politics--you'll notice yourself feeling more comfortable in conversations with strangers. And once you nail down the basics of personal and social communication, knowing what to do in more complicated situations like splitting the check when out to dinner or when having a meeting with colleagues from a different country will feel like a breeze. Stop second guessing yourself, and start operating in the world with the confidence you need to succeed.
Stop second guessing yourself, and start operating in the world with the confidence you need to succeed.
Table of Contents
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Foreward
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Introduction
Part One: Developing your personal etiquette skills
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Developing your mental acuity
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Cultivating conversational skills
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Acquiring social skills
Part Two: Scenario-specific Etiquette
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Social greeting and meeting etiquette
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Drink etiquette
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Dining etiquette
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Business etiquette
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Conclusion
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Acknowledgments
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About the Author
"Picked this book up after attending a formal gathering which I felt out of place. I love how straightforward and easy to use this book is. Lots of applicable and ready to use advice. Love how the author breaks down a sophisticated topic into simple steps and instructions.” - Val
“Turn into James Bond by reading this! A great book on not just how to be socially acceptable, but socially extraordinary. Everything from when you should show up to a party, when you can make the appropriate joke to how to taste wine like a gentleman; this book has it. If you need help with your social skills here is a book for you to study and then practice. 10/10.” - Marinos Anagnostopoulos
“There are very few books that impress me - this book impressed me. Dr. Lee’s writing style is easy to read, understand and immensely entertaining. Fabulous book a definite one for the library.” - Chu
“Etiquette is a dying art, and yet people with good etiquette make friends easily, and are good in establishing and maintaining relationships, both business and personal. Therefore, a good knowledge of etiquette is still vital in order to succeed in business, make friends, as well as in finding and keeping romantic partners. This book provides you with this knowledge.” - Yan Gertsoyg
“Absolute must read. I train staff professionally and interact with clients daily. The gems of wisdom and practical advice that I have learnt from this book are awesome. It’s now my wish to meet Dr. Lee one day in person!” - Amazon Customer
What This Book Is, and What It Is Not
This is not a rulebook.
It is not a checklist.
It is not a guide to appearing confident.
This book is about awareness, how social, professional, and cultural dynamics actually work in real environments.
Drawing on decades of international experience, Dr. Lee examines how small, often unspoken behaviours influence perception, credibility, and connection, whether in business, social life, or cross-cultural settings.
The emphasis is not on doing more.
It is on knowing when less is stronger.
What the Reader Gains
Readers come away with:
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a clearer understanding of how behaviour is interpreted
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greater comfort navigating unfamiliar environments
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insight into why certain interactions succeed or fail
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language to articulate what is often felt but not named
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a calmer, more deliberate way of engaging with others
As awareness increases, second-guessing naturally falls away.
Areas Explored in the Book
Rather than rigid instruction, the book examines situations and contexts, including:
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Introducing oneself with composure and intent
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Navigating dress and presentation across settings
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Communication etiquette in digital and in-person environments
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Hosting, dining, and wine as tools of relationship-building
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Interview and professional etiquette across cultures
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Business conduct in international and mixed environments
Each area builds upon the last, reinforcing a broader principle: etiquette works when it is applied with perspective.