Having CLASS: the ABCs of Poise

Having class means being capable of elegance in your appearance, your presentation and your manners. It brings together physical and personal qualities that make someone charismatic, appealing, endearing and, above all, worthy of respect.

Having class, then, is a way of being, of presenting yourself, of behaving and of expressing yourself. Be careful, though — it isn't about being snobbish and stiff; quite the opposite. Class is an art of being that draws people closer, because it's synonymous with knowing how to live well.

If for some it comes almost naturally, here are a few benchmarks the rest of us mere mortals can follow.

Knowing how to present yourself

Your appearance is the first sketch of who you are

In just a few seconds, the person facing you forms a first impression that will lastingly shape your relationship. Presenting yourself with class means mastering the art of sartorial elegance, taking care of your appearance and adopting harmonious body language. It isn't about wearing outrageously expensive clothes, but rather choosing well-fitted, well-kept pieces that flatter you. An upright posture, a confident gait and measured gestures round off this essential first impression.

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Knowing how to communicate

The way you express yourself reveals your personality

Elegance in communication rests on the balance between knowing how to speak and knowing how to listen. Someone with class chooses their words with care, tailors their register to their audience and shows empathy in their exchanges. They have mastered the art of conversation by asking the right questions, avoiding delicate subjects at the wrong moment and knowing how to create a warm atmosphere. Their tone of voice, their pace and their vocabulary reflect their culture and their respect for others.

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Poise

Your manners and the way you behave say a great deal about you. And if you're going to have them, let them speak in your favour!

Poise encompasses all those small attentions that make the difference: punctuality, natural politeness, discretion, generosity in your gestures and authenticity in your relationships. It's knowing how to carry yourself with distinction in any situation, whether at the table, in company or in unexpected circumstances. Someone who truly has class stays themselves while respecting social codes. They show tact and a sense of the moment, and know how to put others at ease through their simplicity and their naturalness.

The essentials at a glance