September 2025 Meeting Speaker Recap
Christel Georges | Manners Make Life Easier and More Beautiful
by L.A. Robbins
On October 8th, WIN members enjoyed their first evening event combining dinner and a speaker at our bright, spacious venue near Porta al Prato.
Christel Georges, an elegant French etiquette expert and founder of Simply Mannered, reminded us that graciousness and respect can make life not only easier but infinitely more beautiful.
“It’s a true gift to incorporate harmony and grace into everyday life,” she said.
Through Simply Mannered, Christel seeks to empower individuals and businesses to excel in a global world by following fundamental principles—compassion, civility, and the confidence that comes from self-awareness.
“How do you define the difference between manners and principles?” she asked.
“Manners are how we do things—how we behave—and they change with time and culture.
Principles are timeless; they come from our morals and our philosophy of life.”
Christel explained that at Simply Mannered she envisions “a world where mutual respect, poise, and genuine connection define every interaction.” The transformative power of etiquette and communication, she said, leads to greater positivity, productivity, and professionalism.
After training under a direct descendant of Emily Post—the American “empress of etiquette”—Christel began offering decorum workshops for ages 3 to 18, and today consults with parents, teachers, and professionals around the world.
Her talk covered the practical and the philosophical: how to set a table, how to greet across cultures, and how the roots of etiquette lie in empathy.
Table Manners
Fork on the left, knife and spoon on the right, glasses above, bread plate to the left—small details that bring order and ease.
In the United States one switches hands after cutting; in Britain and most of Europe, the fork stays in the left hand and the knife in the right.
Should we say bon appétit? Christel smiled: “In formal circles, one doesn’t. The invitation to enjoy is already given by the act of serving.”
If you’re offered a dish you don’t eat, she suggested:
“Say, ‘No thank you,’ and then compliment another part of the meal. Always find something kind to say.”
And when finished eating? Observe your companions—customs vary. In most of Europe, knife and fork are placed parallel across the plate; in the United States, tines face up.
Greetings & Cultural Awareness
A greeting that works in one culture may not suit another. Italians kiss cheeks; in the Middle East, touch may be inappropriate. “Watch how locals behave,” Christel advised. “That is respect in action.”
In business, the senior official or eldest person is greeted first.
Never correct strangers in public, and remember: interruptions, displays of affection, or even the soles of your shoes can carry different meanings around the world.
The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would like to be treated”, has evolved into a Diamond Rule embracing globalisation and principles of respect and consideration:
“Treat others as they would want to be treated.”
Emily Post’s Three Principles
Christel reminded us that true etiquette rests on consideration, respect, and honesty:
- Consideration means thinking of how your actions affect others—holding a door, listening fully, arriving on time.
- Respect recognizes each person’s dignity, from the waiter to the CEO.
- Honesty brings sincerity; good manners without truth feel empty.
Together, these principles turn rules into relationships and make daily life smoother, kinder, and more authentic.
With a gracious curtsy, your Honorable Scribe thanks you for reading this and bids you a fulfilling day of consideration, respect and honesty, L.A. Robbins
About Christel Georges
A French national with global flair, Christel trained at the prestigious Institut Villa Pierrefeu in Switzerland and blends French elegance, American warmth, and Middle Eastern hospitality. Her career in luxury and her trademark scarves and hats mirror her message: etiquette is not decoration—it’s how we make one another comfortable.
Website: simplymannered.com/about”
Christel J. Georges
Founder & Director | Simply Mannered
Certified Emily Post Children’s Etiquette Trainer
Institut Villa Pierrefeu Graduate 2011
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