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Etiquette expert Sarah Jane Ho says good manners help us achieve a balanced life
Etiquette expert Sarah Jane Ho says good manners help us achieve a balanced life
Making a good impression on people is something we all want, but it often seems incredibly difficult to achieve and can feel emotionally draining.
But Sarah Jane Ho, international etiquette expert and host of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated makeover reality show, Be politeencourages people to see things in a different light.
“People often think of etiquette as this big set of rules: don’t say what you think or don’t do what you want,” she says, “but I actually feel like etiquette is the best form of health because it allows you to be the best version of yourself in any situation.”
The 38-year-old Hong Konger not only teaches people how to use cutlery and sit properly, but also how to improve their lives and boost their self-esteem.
“Having good etiquette helps you in all areas of your life,” she says, “it boosts your self-confidence and improves your relationships. Etiquette is powerful. It helps you set boundaries that you set, and it can get you out of a lot of sticky situations if you know how to enforce them.”
When it comes to setting boundaries, she lives by her own preaching: “I’m never afraid to say, ‘I don’t take work calls after 10 p.m., but I go to bed early, so I can take calls at 5 a.m.,'” she says. “I’m also not afraid to say to my husband, ‘I need some time to myself tonight to get acupuncture and a massage.'”
Life is all about balance, says Ho: “For me, balance is about balancing time alone with time spent with others, because alone time is important in itself. We need to reflect, we need time alone to remember who we are.”
Ho’s extensive knowledge of cultural nuances is important in an increasingly globalized world where people often have to interact with those who adhere to different traditions.
She now splits her time between the US and China, running the Sarita Institute, which she founded in Beijing in 2013 and claims to be China’s first finishing school.
Ho attributes his success to his strict mother: “I grew up here in Hong Kong and I remember my mother giving me Mini Finishing School lessons from an early age, and she always encouraged me.”
“My mother was a perfectionist and pushed me to do my best in everything I did, and that lesson [are] Her teachings remain deeply ingrained in me to this day. What I do now – hosting, taking care of people, making sure no one’s teacup is empty – is part of her legacy.”
The businesswoman also focuses on her physical health and wellness. “I [take] “I take traditional Chinese medicine every week and also exercise regularly,” she says. “I’m now more careful about what I eat and I avoid alcohol except on rare occasions. Only when I’m physically, emotionally and mentally strong can I support those around me.”
