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Manners and Other Matters
Manners and Other Matters
Author: Louise Percy
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© 2026 Manners and Other Matters
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Do you find modern social and business etiquette dilemmas challenging, would you like to live your life with an elegant style, communicating confidently and entertaining with flair?
Please join me, Louise Percy, every two weeks, as I discuss these topics, answer your questions and chat with fellow experts about the arts, fashion, jewellery, home décor, entertaining, travel and more.
Regarded as an expert in my field for 32 years, I aim to inspire you in every episode to embrace etiquette and elegance as a positive personality choice. Offering real life examples, questions and opinions, you won’t want to miss an episode!
65 Episodes
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Send a text 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 than ...
Send a text 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 hardest...
Send a text 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 trav...
Send a text 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 boundaries to returning to work or managing your own business, Louise shares practical guidance to help y...
Send a text 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 ask when they hesitate at the idea of a “manners course”, addressing misconceptions with warmth, clarit...
Send a text 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 forty guests, Louise shares practical wisdom, elegant reassurance and a failsafe event planning check...
Send a text 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, and thoughtful alternatives when families become large or budgets tight. Louise and Christine also discus...
Send a text 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 and faiths. Discover how to navigate greetings and gift-giving, handle dietary restrictions and fam...
Send a text As the year draws to a close, so too comes the season of office parties, client events, and festive gatherings, occasions that test our networking skills as much as our social confidence. In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, etiquette and lifestyle coach Louise Percy shares elegant, practical strategies for making genuine connections during the end-of-year party season. From starting conversations with confidence, remembering names, and joining groups gracefully, t...
Send a text From managing late friends to mastering graceful exits, this episode of Manners and Other Matters explores the everyday moments that test our social finesse. Join etiquette and elegant lifestyle consultant Louise Percy as she answers real questions from listeners in 90 countries, women and men seeking calm, confident guidance through modern social dilemmas. Whether it’s how to decline an invitation politely, handle a phone-addicted friend, or graciously accept a compliment, Louise...
Send a text In this vibrant episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy welcomes renowned stylist Belinda Sutherland from the Department of Style to discuss the art of dressing gracefully through the changing seasons. As spring blossoms in Australia, Louise and Belinda discuss the essentials of self-auditing your wardrobe, exploring the balance between elegance and current trends. Discover how to embrace your personal style, understand your body shape, and choose colours that enhance y...
Send a text In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy invites you into her personal ritual of a yearly “self-audit”, a practice of thoughtful reflection, renewal, and refinement. From her sunlit garden in Perth to the carefully curated wardrobes and welcoming homes she nurtures, Louise shares how intentional choices in clothing, surroundings, friendships, and daily habits shape a more elegant and fulfilling life. More than a seasonal tidy-up, this practice is about cultivatin...
Send a text In this heart-warming episode, Louise is joined by friend, Laura McRae, to discuss how everyday manners shape confident, curious children. Fresh from a family trip abroad, Laura shares the simple practices that helped her daughters (ages 7 and 10) move from “shy at the table” to ordering for themselves, conversing with adults, and even reminding Mum where the napkin belongs. Beyond knives and forks, Louise shows why conversation, courtesy, and cultural awareness are confidence bui...
Send a text Milestones invite reflection. As I recorded the 50th episode of Manners and Other Matters, I found myself pausing to consider not only the journey so far, but the deeper question that continues to come from listeners and clients alike: do manners still matter in today’s unconventional and fast-changing world? It’s a fair question. After all, we live in an era where artificial intelligence can mimic human conversation, misinformation spreads faster than truth, and traditional soci...
Send a text This episode of Manners and Other Matters is a heartfelt celebration of one of life’s greatest treasures — enduring friendship. I’m joined by my best friend, Christine Simmonds, as we reflect on over 25 years of shared adventures, business ventures, and unwavering support through life’s highs and lows. From the joy of chance encounters to the wisdom of listening before speaking, we explore what it takes to keep a friendship strong across decades, cultures, and continents. ...
Send a text In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the fascinating differences in communication and etiquette across the generations and addresses the evolving standards around workplace professionalism, RSVPs, punctuality, social courtesies, and what constitutes politeness in the modern era. Whether it’s a blunt email or a missed invitation reply, understanding these shifting norms is key to bridging the etiquette divide. Louise welcomes her school friend and re...
Send a text In this elegant and thought-provoking episode, Louise Percy unpacks the modern tension between true personal elegance and the stylised, curated version of “elegance” popularised by social media. Drawing on her decades of experience, Louise explores what elegance really means from presence, poise and deportment to emotional regulation, dignity, and intention. Whether you’re seeking a more refined presence or questioning the allure of online aesthetics, this episode offers clarity, ...
Send a text In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy is joined by the inspiring Natalie Love, a single mother of three and founder of a heart-led business designed to support women in creating lives they truly love. Together, they explore what it means to transition gracefully—from overwhelm to empowerment—and how resilience, rituals, and refined systems can transform daily chaos into confident, elegant action. With candid reflections, practical insights, and a heartfelt ton...
Send a text In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy explores the evolving—and often perplexing—landscape of social etiquette for people aged from their 20s. From the nuances of texting and dating app interactions to more complex issues like ghosting, sexting, and catfishing, I take a considered and compassionate look at how good manners can still shine through in the fast-paced, often impersonal world of modern communication. With her signature elegance and warmth, L...
Send a text In this episode of Manners and Other Matters, Louise Percy is joined by business communication coach and meeting specialist, David Julian Price, to explore how professional etiquette is deeply intertwined with the way we communicate—whether in meetings or informal moments at work. Together, they discuss the vital role that tone, timing, structure, and courtesy play in establishing a respectful and high-functioning business culture. SHOW NOTES: I'd love to hear from you. P...



