This episode is brought to you by the following: Orgain: If you want to get in on delicious protein-packed nutrition today, head to http://Orgain.com/VALERIA and use code VALERIA for 20% off your order. Orgain is also now available at Costco! Green Chef: Go to https://www.greenchef.com/valeriaclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass! Cozy Earth: Visit https://www.cozyearth.com/notalone and use code VALERIA for an exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Better Help: Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/notalone and get on your way to being your best self.  In today’s episode, Valeria sits down with Alison Cheperdak, an etiquette coach, author, and lawyer for a deep dive into the world of modern etiquette. Forget the stuffy image of rules about cutlery — Alison shares how etiquette is all about kindness, respect, and navigating relationships in a fast-changing world. The conversation covers everything from first-date dilemmas, setting boundaries in friendships, and handling workplace challenges to mastering the art of introductions and elevating your party & networking experiences  Whether you're looking to polish your professional presence, improve your communication, or simply find better ways to connect with others, this episode is packed with practical tips and real-life insights. Valeria and Alison also tackle tricky situations like receiving unwanted gifts, dealing with gossip, and gracefully handling public embarrassment. Shop my look from this episode: https://liketk.it/4OWQE  Mentioned:  Open by Andre Agassi https://www.amazon.com/Open-Autobiography-Andre-Agassi/dp/0307388409  What We Talked About: 00:00 Intro 01:10 What is modern etiquette? 02:21 Misconceptions about etiquette 03:44 Career shift 07:24 Should a woman pay for the first date? 09:16 How to deal with gossips 13:10 Ending friendships 15:35 Unwanted gifts 24:16 Etiquette in the workplace 28:22 Hype yourself up 30:26 It’s not about the gender 35:02 Unwanted attention 36:59 Dress code 40:09 Rude acquaintances 43:51 Backhanded compliments 44:31 Feeling excluded 47:20 Public humiliation 48:58 Incorporate modern etiquette into self-improvement 52:12 Topics to discuss 54:44 Missing the moment to connect 57:41 Etiquette in parties 59:59 How to join a conversation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices