Remember that big brouhaha a while back when First Lady Michelle Obama was accused of committing etiquette suicide by hugging Queen Elizabeth? Now sources close to Her Majesty have told Barbara Walters that the Queen made physical contact first, and so Mrs. Obama put her arm around the Queen as a natural response. Etiquette crisis averted!
What I find even more interesting, however, is the topic of conversation between the two: SHOES! Yes, even the Queen likes to dish about her favorite footwear. No matter who you are—a Queen, the President’ wife, a professional woman, or a stay-at-home mom—one of woman’s passions is shoes!
It just goes to show that even the most intimidating people can be approachable if you make an effort to draw them into conversation. Think about that the next time you’re at a cocktail party with the higher-ups. Everyone has a passion or hobby that they love to talk about—baseball, travel, their kids… Break the ice by paying attention to the details and asking positive questions about their interests. Don’t interrupt or steer the conversation to yourself—just listen!
And, of course, congratulations to Rachel Alexandra!