A single handshake, a misread seating order, or an offhand comment on social media can undo weeks of relationship-building with a client or a VIP guest — which is exactly why etiquette and protocol are treated as a professional skill set, not just good manners. This Arab British Fellowship Training Academy course walks participants through that skill set end to end, from face-to-face situations to the digital space.

Etiquette here is framed as a form of applied culture: a set of shared, often unwritten, rules that scale from the individual to the household to entire nations, shaping how people are expected to treat each other and the things around them. Because those rules shift from one country and context to another, the course also builds the cultural judgement needed to apply them correctly wherever the situation calls for it.

Who Should Attend?

• Institution and company managers, along with administrative staff in public relations.
• Protocol officers responsible for organising conferences, and staff who regularly interact with VIPs.
• Hospitality professionals and anyone seeking to sharpen their social and communication behaviour, personally or professionally.

Knowledge and Benefits:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between etiquette and protocol and apply both in daily social and professional situations.
• Build effective communication and positive interaction habits grounded in respect and appreciation.
• Apply the arts of protocol correctly in formal meetings and occasions.
• Navigate cultural diversity with confidence when representing an organisation.

Module 1: Etiquette and Protocol — Definitions and Core Principles

• Defining etiquette and protocol and the difference between them.
• Why both matter in social and professional life.
• Core principles: respect, tact, and appreciation.

Module 2: Personal and Social Etiquette

• Introductions, greetings, personal appearance, and dress.
• Speaking, active listening, and handling awkward or stressful moments.
• Etiquette for social occasions — parties, banquets, family events — including invitations and hosting guests.

Module 3: Protocol in the Workplace and Formal Settings

• Protocol rules for formal meetings and dealing with dignitaries.
• Understanding institutional hierarchy and managing formal events.
• Etiquette in personal interviews, negotiation, and building strong professional relationships.

Module 4: Etiquette in the Digital Space

• Email and social media etiquette, and handling online criticism.
• How technology is reshaping modern etiquette norms.

Module 5: Cultural Diversity and Contemporary Challenges

• Cultural awareness as the foundation of applying etiquette correctly.
• Etiquette in a globalised, fast-changing environment, including how to behave under pressure or in a crisis.
• Building the personal adaptability needed to keep pace with change.