Useful Etiquette Every Girl Should Know

I was chatting with my grandmother about blog post ideas, and she encouraged me to write about the manners and etiquette that teen girls should know, especially when our culture is losing those values. I compiled a list of basic, helpful lessons and tips that you can begin to implement into your everyday!

1. Mastering the art of elegance

“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.” – Audrey Hepburn

Elegance is so much more than being graceful: elegance is a mannerism, a quality that seems into our everyday, whether it be how we make conversations, how we dress, etc. Elegance begins with how a lady holds herself, their presence and confidence can emanate elegance. Whether you stand with your shoulders back or sit hunched over, these send different messages. You radiate elegance in not only what clothes you wear, but also how you wear them. Clothes should drape off of you, fit comfortably, and flatter you in all the right places. 🙂 Yet elegance is all about modesty and simplicity, as the most elegant looks are ones that appear effortless and tasteful.

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” – Coco Chanel

2. Writing a thank-you note

I always love receiving handwritten cards, because they are just so meaningful. Whether it be a note of encouragement or as a thank you, here are a few pointers to composing a sincere letter.

• compose a draft of your letter on a sepearate piece of paper, edit and condense it, and then write the final letter on a beautiful note card.
• think personal: handwritten cards can be like a conversation with a friend, so keep the tone light and include personal snippets that pertain to the recipient.
• be creative and add a little pattern and color to your note; this could be decorative calligraphy, a little doodling, or a simple drawing.

3. Decoding dress-codes

Have you ever been invited to a friend-gathering where the dress code is dressy-causal, or fancy-but-flexible? It’s tricky to know what to wear, so here is some insight into deciphering these codes and acing that party!

• Casual: casual style is very minimal, like lounge wear with cute sneakers and simple accessories, think relaxed.
• Dressy-casual: the key here is choosing clothes with the right balance of comfy and cute, maybe jeans with a nice top and cute accessories.
• Semi-formal: this is a step up from dressy, most likely a nice dress or a sleek blouse paired with a skirt.
• Formal/White Tie: fancy and chic, formal style is reserved for events like weddings or dances, which means a floor length gown and heels are the way to go.
• Garden Party: usually in the summertime, these parties call for breezy, floral dresses, sandals, and straw or raffia accents.

4. Hosting a welcoming party

I love birthday parties or events where I feel welcome as soon as I step into the room, and it’s all up to the host to cultivate a friendly environment. Here are a couple tips to learning to be a gracious and hospitable host.

• make introductions and find a common ground between friends; for example, “Rosy goes to the same sailing camp as Lucy…”
• plan games and activities to play during the party: games that include larger groups, like fishbowl or apples to apples.
• play a fitting playlist of songs as background music; there are many great playlists on Spotify, varying depending on the mood of the party (birthday, dinner, or other).
• serve a little something to munch on, like trail mix or a cheese board, to keep your guests fueled. 🙂

5. Being the best babysitter

First impressions for a babysitter are vital, and it’s important to be responsible, respectful, and reliable when you are helping a family for the first time; as a fellow sitter, here are some ideas to get you started!

• confirm and coordinate the time, place, and means of transportation of the sitting job before you babysit, and let the family know ASAP if you’re not able to babysit.
• make it a priority to be on time, as your punctuality will show you respect their time.
• pack a game or activity to do with the children, something simple and appropriate for all ages, like a boardgame or hands-on craft.
• tidy up the house when the children are in bed, leaving the house cleaner than you found it. 🙂

Warmly,

Seabrook.