Adrienne Barker, MAS — Founder of Professional Global Etiquette — asks her AI friends to debate one of the trickiest etiquette dilemmas: timing.

Should you arrive early for a job interview? Is showing up right on time the best move for a dinner meeting? And when it comes to holiday parties, does “fashionably late” send the wrong signal? Together, Adrienne and her AI debaters explore what’s appropriate across interviews, dinners, family gatherings, and global cultures.

They’ll also weigh in on the to drink or not to drink question at business dinners and holiday events, plus unpack the cultural divide between monochronic (punctual, task-driven) and polychronic (flexible, relationship-first) approaches to time.

🎧 Tune in for a lively, thought-provoking debate that blends timeless etiquette rules with modern realities—and a few global twists.

🔑 Key Takeaways

→ Interviews: 10 minutes early is perfect; never late → Business dinners: arrive on time, follow the host’s lead on drinks → Family & friends: casual flexibility, but don’t abuse it → Holiday parties: 15–30 minutes late is fine, beyond that is risky → Cross-cultural tip: learn to bridge monochronic vs. polychronic time styles

💬 Quotes from Adrienne's AI Friends:

"Being five minutes early isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It says, ‘I respect your time, and you can count on me.’" "

Time isn’t universal—it’s cultural. Respect means learning the rhythm of the people you’re with."

📌 Next Episode Teaser

Next time, Adrienne and her AI friends tackle Dining Reservations & Dining Etiquette. From cancellations to the bread plate mystery, you won’t want to miss it.

Is standing up to greet someone still a sign of respect—or just old-fashioned? And when you pick someone up in your car, do you need a clean seat or just a shared playlist? In this episode, we dive into whether the classic rules of etiquette are timeless essentials or if bold new behaviors define modern professionalism.

In this debut episode of the Professional Global Etiquette Podcast, Adrienne Barker, MAS, moderates a lively AI-powered debate between “The Traditionalist” and “The Power Mover.” Together, they tackle 11 key situations—from handshakes to Zoom cameras, thank-you notes to leadership respect—and uncover where the old rules still hold power and where new approaches are winning in today’s business world.

This is etiquette reimagined: practical, solution-focused, and global.

✅ Key Takeaways

→ First impressions still matter—but speed is the new courtesy.

→ Standing to greet someone communicates respect, yet context can change the expectation.

→ Punctuality remains respect for time, but flexibility is part of modern professionalism.

→ Thank-you notes haven’t died; they’ve evolved into digital gratitude.

→ Leadership etiquette is less about formality, more about consistent respect in action.

💬 Memorable Quotes

“Etiquette isn’t about forks and napkins—it’s how we signal respect.”

“Speed is the new courtesy.”

“Respect never goes out of style; only the delivery changes.”

🎧 Which side are you on—old rules or new power moves?

Join the conversation on LinkedIn and share your biggest etiquette dilemma.

Your scenario could star in our next AI debate!

Enjoy this song - created exclusively for Professional Global Etiquette - Adrienne Barker, MAS