In The News
Better Service at Restaurants
Featured in Food Republic, Nikki Sawhney of New England School of Protocol explains how practicing basic courtesy at the table—acknowledging your server, using their name, and making requests politely—creates a more positive experience for everyone and can noticeably improve the level of service you receive.
Retirement Gifts
CNN Underscored
A momentous occasion like retirement calls for a gift that truly captures the significance of the moment.
Nikki Sawhney shared how even though retiring from the workforce is something many people look forward to, it’s often a bittersweet change. Regardless of how it is experienced, retirement is a significant life transition, one that deserves to be acknowledged with thoughtfulness, celebration and respect for personal boundaries.
Is It a Bad Idea to Throw Your Trash in a Neighbor's Bin? We Asked Pros
One of the most delicate relationships in life is actually the one you have with your neighbors. No matter how close your property lines are to your houses, you still have to coexist. The last thing anyone wants is to feel angry or uncomfortable every time they leave their front door.
Social Behaviors that Make you Seem Unapproachable
For most of us, wanting to seem friendly and open comes naturally—but it’s surprisingly easy to give off the wrong impression without realizing it.
Nikki Sawhney, along with fellow etiquette experts break down simple behaviors—from avoiding eye contact to distracted listening—that can send signals of disinterest or discomfort, even when that’s not the intent
Etiquette Mistakes
For the most part, we all try to be polite in our everyday doings, but sometimes we can unknowingly fall short. What are some of the common mistakes made during small talk? How are people mismanaging table manners during formal meals?
Bradley Jay discussed all things etiquette-related with Nikki Sawhney, Certified Children’s and Corporate Etiquette Consultant and Director and Founder of the New England School of Protocol.
The easy way to let your waiter know you're done eating at a restaurant
New England School of Protocol recently shared expert insights on a fundamental dining protocol that every guest should know. When pausing during a meal, placing your utensils in a certain way sends important signals to your server. Mastering these subtle yet significant protocols elevates the dining experience and reflects the kind of social awareness that serves individuals well in every professional and personal setting.
When It's Okay To Eat With Your Hands At A Fine Dining Restaurant
New England School recently offered expert guidance on a common dining dilemma: when is it appropriate to eat with your hands at a fine dining establishment? Nikki explained the key is observing your surroundings, following your host’s lead, and understanding that true etiquette is about comfort and confidence, not rigid rules. Knowing these nuanced dining protocols allows diners to navigate any culinary experience with grace and assurance, reflecting the sophisticated social skills that distinguish polished individuals in both personal and professional environments.
Wedding Gift etiquette
Gift giving takes thought and care, says Nikki Sawhney, director and founder of the New England School of Protocol. “Be mindful of what and who the gift is for,” she says. “Wedding gifts are given based on your relationship with the bride and groom. You don’t have to break the bank or take out a loan to buy the bride and groom a gift,” says Sawhney. And remember, “If you cannot attend a wedding, it is not a requirement that you send a gift.”
vaccine etiquette
Navigating the pandemic landscape is “new for all of us,” said Nikki Sawhney, Director and Founder of New England School of Protocol in Marlborough, Mass. Even asking someone if they’ve been vaccinated can be considered rude, “because you are perhaps crossing some boundaries,” she said. “So courtesy and grace is very important in asking those kinds of questions. Regardless of what the situation is, you want to treat people the way you want to be treated,” Sawhney said. “That’s just the golden rule of etiquette.”
Shrewsbury students learn the ‘P’s and Q’s’ of dining
Manners do matter. Some may say that that they are old fashioned and antiquated but six youth ranging from grades two to seven (or maybe their parents) thought that they were still relevant in today’s society. The students participated in a special Dining Etiquette class offered by the Shrewsbury Parks & Recreation Department held Feb. 13 at Sherwood Middle School. During the class, which was taught by Nikki Sawhney, Director and Founder of the New England School of Protocol, the students were taught various elements of dining etiquette. They learned proper napkin usage, all about the place setting and the bread and butter plate, appropriate table conversation, correct way to eat soup, use of silverware, passing food at the table, disposal of unwanted food and so much more.
South High students help design new school lobby (NESP collaborates & trains children with their presentation skills)
In total, the students will be responsible for designing five sections of the new school’s sprawling lobby: the visual school entrance display, the history wall, the digital wall, the word wall and the lobby mural wall. Six students are doing most of the work on those designs, meeting roughly twice every week after school on the project. Last week, those students presented their work so far to representatives from Lamoureux Pagano, which will keep close tabs on their progress. The students mostly have free rein creatively, however – a responsibility they’re taking seriously as they plan the look of a building that will be around for decades.
Raising Good 'Digital Citizens'
“With technology comes a lot of wonderful things, of course,” said Nikki Sawhney, founder of the New England School of Protocol in Marlborough. ”…. but with that also comes a great deal of responsibility.” Sawhney’s school teaches children and adults social skills and rules of etiquette in everything from eating to dressing to interviewing. The school’s offering of “netiquette” instruction has become a common addition to the traditional etiquette school courses, and shows how pervasive digital citizenship has become. Under Sawhney’s netiquette instruction, students learn how and when to write online, use a phone in public and understand privacy settings. Enforcing what children are now learning in public school, Sawhney emphasizes caution in what is posted online. Some of the lessons, however, are timeless. “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”