The Good Guest Communicates

Today's Tiffany & Co. ad in the New York Times caught my eye. In truth, their Times ad almost always catches my eye at least for an instant because Tiffany's deal with the Times is that every day a Tiffany ad is placed in the upper right hand side of page A3, the first inside page of the center section of the Times.  Yes, yes, I know that in not too long there may be no daily Times delivered to my door.  There may be no Times that I enjoy as much for the tangible feel of the thing in my hands as for the extraordinary writing of its journalists. 

But I digress.  Today's ad was all print.  Entitled "A Good Guest," it goes on as follows:

"...Arrives slightly late.  And leaves on time.

A good guest brings energy and charm and a small present.

A dinner guest engages the person on his right and his left.

A party guest mingles and meets everyone.

A house guest is self-sufficient, not needing constant entertainment.

All good guests write thank you notes.

Very good guests also call the next day."

Good Dinner Guest

None of this is news to me.  I was brought up to know and do these things.  And my children (at least from what is reported to me by the people they visit) do the same.  Well, at least to some extent.  Most of the world, however, does not. 

Which means that if you are the person who follows the rules as outlined above, you will no doubt be the darling of every host/hostess who invites you to an event.  And you'll be invited back.

So, let's look at that same list from a professional, work related, perspective. I remember when I was a new young attorney, the senior partners with whom I worked all had "Monarch" size stationery printed with their name on the top. It was the stationery they used for non-firm related matters. They used it to write notes of a personal nature, thank you notes or notes of congratulation or condolence.  Although this stationery was officially for non-business matters, it helped them to be seen as thoughtful, elegant, "classy."  And in the relationship business that the law is, all personal exchanges can have a positive (or negative) effect on your ability to attract and sustain clients.

Special Note

When is the last time you sat down and wrote a note (not on your computer...on real paper, sent through the U.S. mails) to someone who has done you a professional favor? Or who deserves your congratulations? Short, to the point, such notes can initiate conversations that will impact your professional career.  I guarantee it. 

Comments

[Jill Lamphier]

So glad you posted this! I couldn't agree more. I saw this ad on my good friend's refrigerator and thought it was great. We proceeded to have a lovely evening with five kids under the age of 8 running around our heals while having dinner and homemade ice cream sandwiches I might add!

I laughed with her today, that I forgot to call her the next day and we left late and had had too much to drink! Ah, life. Next time it's at my house!