Welcome to The Chic Assignment Check-In for May. We are going to learn more about Dvořák and Wordsworth, plus much more. Invite a friend to take part in The Chic Assignment to add more arts and culture to his or her life. 

⚜️Chic Assignment no. 1 Dvořák's Humoresque No. 7 in G-flat Major, Op. 101

We have enjoyed this vibrant performance by Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman

William Wordsworth, attribution Jan Arkesteijn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In today's etiquette chat I'm sharing 5 commonly asked rude questions and how you should respond to them. 

All of us have been asked a rude question at some point in our lives. When this happens, it takes you off guard. What did you do to merit this question? What is the questioner thinking? Do they even know they're being rude? 

Many times the person asking the question does not have rude intentions (sometimes they do) so always try to remember that the other person finds you interesting and wants to know more. 

I recently posed the question on my community tab: What is the rudest question you have ever received? The following 5 questions appeared regularly on that tab, showing that they are commonly asked questions. 

⚜️When are you due? This was the most frequently asked rude question The Daily Connoisseur audience has been asked. An unassuming stranger asks when your baby is due. There's only one problem: you're not pregnant! Your response may vary depending on who is asking the question. A stranger in public merits no answer at all. If you're in a discussion with a friend, family member, or new acquaintance, you can simply shut it down by saying, "I'm not pregnant, thank you." 

⚜️What do you do for a living? This question is often one of the first things asked upon meeting a new acquaintance in America. We are not defined by what we do for a living, however. That is just one small facet of who we are. A vague answer will suffice and then ask them about their hobbies and interests to change the subject. I learned this tip from etiquette expert, Myka Meier. 

⚜️Why are you so quiet? All introverts have been asked this question at some point in their lives. How do you respond to this without getting defensive? I like to compliment the other person and tell them I enjoy listening to them talk. 

⚜️When are you going to have children? This question should never be asked, but sadly, is asked all the time. A simple "that's a private matter, thank you" will suffice. 

⚜️What are you? This question is often asked of people who look ethnically ambiguous, like myself. People want to know our ethnic heritage. The bright side is that they are intrigued by us! Sometimes the way they ask the question can be rude, however. Watch today's video to hear the various ways in which you can answer. 

News

📍Connoisseur Kids is now available in Poland and Vietnam. 

📍*NEW* The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for May

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. 

Welcome to one week of outfits from my spring ten-item capsule wardrobe. 

One of the wonderful benefits of the ten-item wardrobe is that you take joy in dressing every day. It's a fun challenge to style your outfits and come up with looks that compliment the day. I hope you enjoy today's video, which was shot on a chilly week in spring. 

I recently re-issued The Ten-Item Capsule Wardrobe eCourse with all new video and text. I hope you enjoy this course and that it helps you implement your own ten-item capsule wardrobe. 

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day celebration yesterday. My day was glorious and full of lots of rest, which I greatly needed. 

I'm sharing another intermittent fasting what I eat in a day video with you by request. I do the 16:8 method of intermittent fasting, which means I fast for 16 hours (I don't snack after dinner), and have an 8 hour eating window. I love the freedom that comes from this structured way of eating. 

I like to film these videos on a whim to show you what I truly eat in a day without curating some spectacular menu for social media. This day found me at the end of the week when we were out of fruit and low on produce. This still gives you a realistic idea of what I typically eat in a day. 

Nutrition Spotlight

Elaine Brisebois is a certified nutritionist and author of The Elegant Eating Handbook and I had the pleasure of asking her what her three best tips for women are regarding nutrition. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Elaine better through The Chic Society. Here is what Elaine had to share with The Daily Connoisseur audience:

1. Aim for diversity in your diet and center meals around minimally processed whole foods – which are rich in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and other health-protective compounds like phytochemicals and fiber. Make veggies the starring performers! 

 2. Focus on nourishing your body over depriving it. Find an eating approach that's both sustainable over the long term and gives you the results you want. Consider any "trade-offs" investments in your health rather than sacrifices. 

 3. Aim for progress, not perfection. When you expect "imperfect" eating days as part of the process, you won't use them as an excuse to quit, throw in the towel, or "begin again on Monday." You can always make a better choice at your next meal.

Thank you, Elaine, for sharing your wisdom with us! You can find Elaine at elainebrisebois.com and on Instagram @elainebrisebois

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette, to discuss her excellent book, Modern Etiquette Made Easy.