Manners and Other Matters

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 nev...

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...

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...

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 everyda...

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?...

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...

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...

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...

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 yo...

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 r...

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...

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 fou...

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...

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 bo...

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 co...

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 conce...

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...

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 comfo...

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 abou...

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. Drawi...

Send us Fan Mail As a new year begins, many women find themselves exploring new roles, new businesses, or a renewed desire to feel confident and professional at work. In this episode Louise explores modern business etiquette for today’s woman. This is not about old-fashioned rules, but about contemporary manners that build confidence, clarity, and professional presence. From communication and boun...

Send us Fan Mail January often encourages dramatic change and bold promises. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise explores a quieter, more refined approach to New Year’s resolutions. Rather than focusing on fitness, food or self-reinvention, Louise reframes confidence as something built through manners, etiquette and thoughtful communication. She answers the real questions women as...

Send us Fan Mail If the thought of hosting fills you with anxiety rather than anticipation, this episode is for you. In From Panic to Poise, Hosting with Confidence, Louise Percy gently unpacks why entertaining so often feels overwhelming and how, with thoughtful planning and a shift in mindset, it can once again become a joy. Drawing on her own experience hosting a milestone birthday luncheon for...

Send us Fan Mail In this festive-season episode of Manners and Other Matters , Louise is joined by her dear friend Christine for an elegant and contemporary conversation about gift-giving, while they eachh sip o Together, they explore the modern etiquette of Christmas and holiday gifts, from whether families still need to give gifts to every relative, to the rise of Secret Santa, group gifting, an...

Send us Fan Mail Across the world, the festive season brings joy, celebration, and at times, a few dilemmas. From Christmas and Hanukkah and other festive celebrations, each tradition invites opportunities to express warmth, generosity, and inclusion. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, etiquette and lifestyle expert Louise Percy explores the art of celebrating with grace across cultures...