The art of savoir-vivre, or how to live well

The art of savoir- vivre or knowing how to live well at home at your personal space extends to your social image in public.

Elegance starts at home, and I have mentioned that many times in my columns and videos, and I continue to advocate this statement strongly. Finishing school teaches you how to have polite mannerisms and a polished image for the society and business world, but it really is a lifestyle transformation which will get you the authentic results and wouldn't look superfluous only for society image.
It all starts at home, an elegant individual lives very elegantly at home. By elegantly, I don't mean ostentatious; in fact, that's contrary to elegant living.
The art of savoir- vivre is truly how you live and live well with a simple tweak in your lifestyle.
I will share a few simple ways in which you can live beautifully, in a day-to-day life and in no way, will I suggest anything that's out of the ordinary. Remember, elegant living or an elegant individual has got nothing to do with wealth and prosperity. It's a choice to put my two pennies worth. It's a journey of refinement.
Here's where you start your home etiquette behind a closed door:
1. How you drink water: An elegant way to drink water is to always pour your water in the high or a low-ball tumbler or a water goblet. Avoid drinking a bottled of water right from the bottle, it looks convenient yes, but not elegant. However, it's perfectly acceptable if you are working out in the gym or during any athletic activity and will need to hydrate yourself in between. Small details like how you drink your water at home when nobody sees you, is how you treat yourself.
2. Eating in front of the television: A lot of us are guilty of that, and I must confess, I sometimes am tempted to watch movies or glancé through quick news channels while having my meal. But I can assure you, there is nothing elegant about that. You have all your proper meals at the dining table only. Not in your bedroom, not in your living room and definitely not in front of the television. Keep the binge-watching Netflix limited to popcorn. You make the most of your food and experience the smell, taste and enjoy the meal more when you seat in a dining table and have your meal. Especially if you live with your partner or your family, have a proper sit-down meal. Also, having a meal together creates a special bond between human beings.
3. Fake flowers: Trust me, that extra $20+ that you spend on getting fresh flowers every weak for your home is worth every single penny. Cut down on the fake flowers, use the real deal. This is elegance. Fake flowers look dead and loose the "looking natural" part within a few months. And how much joy it gives a girl to just walk into a flower shop and creating those columns of colours in your own hands? If you have a daughter, you can do it with her as a weekend craft. We teach flower arrangements in finishing school training, but it's just so easy to just create a beautiful vase yourself just putting your creative mind and columns of fresh flowers and leaves together. It also creates a beautiful vibe at home. Little ways, with simple changes you can create a beautiful living experience.
4. Mind your posture in private: Be mindful of your body language when you are in closed doors, graceful body language takes a very long time to internalise completely. Just be mindful of your posture when you are seating by yourself or even in your bed how you lay down or read a book. Keep your fingers together always, keep your knees and ankles together when you are seating in a chair or dining. Graceful body language also makes you look slimmer and extremely polished. Keep a book in your head and try to take a few walks. Keep your chin parallel to the floor. Always tilt a little to your right when talking or smiling, which gives a more approachable and friendlier facial expression. Smile more, keep eye contact when you talk to anyone.
5. Eat elegantly: I am sure most of you know that. Eating elegantly is the first step to elegant living. How you eat at home truly matters, as your dining etiquette is not reserved for only public appearance. Doesn't matter if you use the wrong fork, it doesn't matter if you have attended the whole dining etiquette class and have mastered all international ways of dining. Simply be mindful while taking your bite-size pieces. Take smaller bites, don't use a big spoon which pushes you to open your mouth too widely. And eat slowly. Traditionally, we were taught to eat in front of the mirror, but I teach my students to just record themselves while eating by keeping a smartphone in front of them. You are your own best critic and only you can transform yourself.
Elegance starts at home. Enjoy life with simple pleasure and mindfulness.
Till next week, #beextraordinary