Was It Something I Said?: Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work, and Life

Have you ever felt unsure about what to say to a friend, a colleague, or your boss? Do you freeze in small talk, tiptoe through tricky topics, or second guess your instincts in high-stakes moments like salary negotiations or meeting your partner's parents? If so, you're not alone. And the good news is--you can learn to handle it all with ease.

In Was It Something I Said? etiquette expert Alison M. Cheperdak demystifies social and professional situations, teaching you how to address each one with respect, confidence, and grace.

In any scenario, whether in your personal or professional life, respecting others and ourselves requires soft skills and social-emotional intelligence--in a word, etiquette.

Drawing on her experience in high-pressure moments as a lawyer, news anchor, and White House West Wing staff member, Alison shares the soft skills that set people apart in social and professional settings--grace under pressure, kindness in action, and polished presence without pretense.

This book will help you:

• Honor others and the important moments you share with them.
• Talk to strangers, start and end a conversation, and speak about yourself with charm.
• Navigate awkward situations (and recover from them!).
• Demystify dress codes and dining etiquette in all sorts of settings.

Whether you're giving a toast, sending a text, or sitting down to dinner, the small things make a big difference. Was It Something I Said? is your guide to handling them with heart, confidence, and care--so you can build deeper connections and move through the world with gracious ease.

Alison M. Cheperdak, J.D., is the founder of Elevate Etiquette, a distinguished consultancy that offers social, business, and dining etiquette courses, as well as international protocol. From private coaching to keynoting conferences, Alison is a sought-after speaker who shares her expertise in etiquette and executive presence with individuals and organizations around the world. She has spoken at Harvard Law School and the US Congress, and her insights have been featured in Vogue.com among other publications. Alison also educates and inspires millions each month across social media with her daily etiquette posts.

Her passion for etiquette began more than a decade ago while planning her wedding. With a growing curiosity about wedding etiquette, she purchased her first etiquette book, sparking a lifelong interest. Since then, she has read countless books on etiquette, protocol, and emotional intelligence, and graduated with merit from The English Manner and Beaumont Etiquette's Train the Trainer Grade One and Grade Two Programs.

Alison's professional background profoundly influences her perspective on etiquette and social graces. After graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Villanova University, she worked as a TV news reporter and anchor for an NBC station in New York. She then moved to Washington, D.C., where she earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School. Throughout her legal career, Alison worked in a large corporate law firm as well as in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the federal government, including the West Wing of the White House. She also served in a senior leadership position at a national nonprofit.