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Jules Hirst

Etiquette Coach

Jules Hirst is an Etiquette Coach and founder of Etiquette Consulting, Inc. based in Culver City, California. Through her work, Jules has been empowering individuals in social skills, leadership, and confidence through the lens of etiquette and helping her clients to feel comfortable in any situation since 2006. Jules conducts lectures, workshops, seminars, and webinars for business professionals, young adults, and teens. Her instruction covers topics like networking, dining, social etiquette, understanding cultural differences, professional image, making genuine connections, and more. Jules is the co-author of the book, Power of Civility, which provides tools to boost social intelligence and build cultural competence, and the Technical Editor of Modern Etiquette for Dummies. She has partnered with several universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and USC, bringing her university etiquette seminars to college students. She has also appeared on NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, Bravo T.V., and more.

Professional Achievements

  • Co-author of "The Power of Civility" and Technical Editor of "Modern Etiquette for Dummies"
  • Recognized for her expertise with the Latina of Influence Award and the Lincoln Latina Leader honor
  • Featured in major media outlets, including The LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, Real Simple, The New York Times, and The Washington Post

Favorite Piece of Advice

One of my favorite pieces of etiquette advice is: kindness, confidence, and respect go hand in hand. True etiquette isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about making others feel comfortable while carrying yourself with grace. Whether in business or social settings, a warm smile, good posture, and genuine listening—rooted in respect for others—will always leave a lasting impression.

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Forum Comments (2)

What is most important to know for wedding etiquette?
Something I think is important to consider is that wedding etiquette actually starts well in advance of the wedding itself! As soon as you receive an invitation, there are some steps you can take to be a courteous guest, which I go over in this video. {{whvid|Expert Video What Is Most Important to Know for Wedding Etiquette Step 0.360p.mp4|Expert Video What Is Most Important to Know for Wedding Etiquette Step 0-preview.jpg|}}
What are some fancy napkin folding ideas?
Great question! Fancy napkin folds are such a fun and elegant way to elevate your table—whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to make a weeknight meal feel a little more special.

Etiquette Tip : Always use cloth napkins for special occasions, and be sure to pre-iron them before folding—crisp edges truly make all the difference.

Here are three of my favorite folds you can try, with easy step-by-step instructions:

🌹 The Rose Fold: Romantic and charming

1. Lay the napkin flat in a diamond shape.
2. Roll tightly from the bottom point to the top.
3. Coil the roll into a spiral (like a cinnamon roll), tucking the tail underneath.
4. Fluff the outer edges to resemble petals.
5. Add a sprig of greenery underneath for an extra flourish.

🎀 The Bow Tie Fold: Playful yet refined

1. Fold the napkin into a rectangle.
2. Fold each short end to the center.
3. Pinch in the middle to create a bow.
4. Secure with a ribbon or napkin ring.
5. Fluff both sides of the bow.

✉️ The Envelope Fold: A personal, thoughtful touch

1. Fold napkin in half horizontally.
2. Fold both sides inward to overlap.
3. Fold bottom point up like sealing an envelope.
4. Slip in a place card or handwritten note.

Co-authored Articles (12)

How to

Get Good Customer Service when Talking to a Customer Service Representative

17 effective tips to help you resolve your complaintsDealing with customer service for a specific company or service can often be a very frustrating experience. While some companies are more customer-friendly and pride t...

Here's What It Means When Someone Crosses Their Legs

Plus, learn the health benefits & risks of crossed legsCrossing our legs while sitting is something we all do without thinking about it, but did you know this pose can send a lot of messages depending on our body languag...

How to Make Small Talk Like a Pro in Any Situation

Small talk topics, questions, and other conversation starters Small talk is your bridge into bigger, more profound conversations. It helps you get to know someone in a low-stakes way before deepening a relationship, whic...

What Do Narrowed Eyes Look Like? Plus, What They Mean

What narrowed eyes say about a person’s emotions Our faces offer a ton of non-verbal cues as to how we’re feeling; “narrowed eyes” is one of them. Often used in literature to describe someone who is trying to su...

How to

Be Professional at Work

Being professional is one of the most important aspects of being successful at your job. Your professionalism could open the door to other career opportunities, a raise, or even a bonus. Your demeanor toward your boss, y...

How to

Network

Sometimes, it isn’t what you know but who you know that gets you where you want to be. Networking can seem like an overwhelming task, but it’s really just a fancy business term for getting to know people. By forming ...

How to

Hold a Teacup

It's easy to assume that you already know how to hold a teacup, but there are actually subtle rules of etiquette you need to follow. Should you hold your pinky out when you're holding a teacup? How do you hold a teacup l...

The Meaning Behind Crossing Your Knees: A Body Language Guide

Learn how body language reveals personality clues Everything we do is autobiographical, each small part revealing something about the whole. But how does crossing your legs factor in? Can it give away hidden motives or f...

125+ Words to Describe Yourself on Job Applications or Dating Apps

A list of positive adjectives to use for school, work, or datingWhether you’re preparing for a job interview, filling out a dating profile, or meeting a new group of people, we're here to help you find the right words ...

Why People Smile Awkwardly & How to Smile More Naturally

Explore common reasons behind the dreaded cringey smile We’ve all been there: you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation and you want to respond in a pleasant way, but that ultimately results in the socially-conde...

The 100+ Best Questions to Ask an Employer & Stand Out In Your Interview

Smart questions to ask about the job, company, team, & more Asking an interviewer questions at the end of a job interview is the perfect opportunity to find out if the position aligns with your goals and show the intervi...

How & When to Use "Thank You, Everyone" (With Examples)

Plus, find out if "thank you, everyone" is correct grammarWhen you say, “Thank you, everyone,” you express gratitude to all the members of a group. This phrase can help each individual within the group feel both ackn...