Was It Something I Said?

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.