| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Guest Dress Code for Debutant Ball | 11/13/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: My husband and I have been invited to a Debutant Ball, My husband is wearing a tukedo, what is the ...
A: It sounds as if the invitation said formal and your husband is right to wear a tuxedo. You need to ...
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| How to return an expensive present | 11/12/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I was recently given an expensive present by a friend/exboyfriend. It was a gift certificate for ...
A: It is rude to give back a gift you have been given - no matter your perception of its worth. When ...
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| Birthday Card Etiquette | 11/12/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: My husband and I sent a birthday card to his mother. She cannot see very well and relies on her ...
A: Emery: I can imagine what your thoughts are about this situation and I believe we share them to some ...
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| Introduction | 11/11/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: How should my boyfriend introduce me. We have been living 3 years together, are past our ...
A: There is no official way to introduce "live in honeys" by etiquette standards. That said, you ...
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| high school graduation monetary gifts | 11/10/2009 | Suzanne Zazulak Pedro |
Q: I'm a disabled mother of a high school senior, so I don't get out to socialize and ask questions of ...
A: First, may I congratulate you and your son on his success in his impending graduation from high ...
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| invitations to colleagues | 11/10/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I wonder if I'm being oversensitive. A new colleague (she joined 8 months ago) in our very small ...
A: Often when people choose to invite only the "professionals" in a firm to an event of significance it ...
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| Senior graduation announcements for twins | 11/10/2009 | Suzanne Zazulak Pedro |
Q: I have twin daughters who are both graduating from High School this Spring 2010. Virtually ALL ...
A: First, I must congratulate you and your daughters on their impending success graduating high school. ...
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| suspenders and belts | 11/9/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I am not overweight and do not need this to hold up my pants, but I like the look of wearing a belt ...
A: I am sorry that I didn't address the question head on for you. I will do so now. This is not an ...
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| Informal Family Gathering | 11/9/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: A relative and myself were discussing about getting our family together at our cousins restaurant. ...
A: Don't be hard on yourself,this is much different than sending out engraved invitations and then ...
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| in law terror, Moving out.. | 11/8/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I have been living with my future in laws for nearly two years, across the country from my home.. ...
A: W.: I am so sorry that living with your fiance's parents has been so troubling. You are right to ...
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| Dinner Invites | 11/8/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: My husband and I have noticed that we always do the inviting, including friends and family. We buy ...
A: First of all, you are not doing anything wrong - you are just more savvy than your friends. Many ...
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| Thanksgiving invites | 11/8/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: My brother was recently married and now his wife's family is a part of ours. For Thanksgiving I ...
A: Your new sister-in-law should not have simply invited someone else to your Thanksgiving dinner. It ...
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| 50th birthday gift - money | 11/7/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: My brother in law is throwing his wife a surprise 50th birthday party at a nice restaurant which he ...
A: What you give to your sister for her 50th birthday should be something that you think she will like ...
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| Protocol for Introductions | 11/7/2009 | Suzanne Zazulak Pedro |
Q: When making introductions of dignitaries at a formal event, can you share the order in which they ...
A: Kelly, Thank you for your inquiry for protocol introductions. One of "the" cardinal rules in ...
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| salutations | 11/6/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I really never know, when writing a 'thank you' note (or any note) to friends and family, whether to ...
A: The proper way to address an envelope for two people who are living together but not married is: ...
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| 40th b-day invites | 11/4/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: Is it ever ok to sell tickets to a 40th b-day celebration like they do for stag parties? My friend ...
A: I am sorry but it is never OK to ask people to pay for attending a function that they have been ...
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| NEW IMMIGRANT FIRST DAY AT OFFICE IN CANADA | 11/4/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: My name is Sarah and i've just moved from Pakistan to Toronto. i got a job in downtown and will ...
A: I know how difficult that alone was in addition to speaking of your situation. My advice is to ...
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| Eating Fried Chicken | 11/3/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: At a semi-formal banquet where fried chicken is served may it be eaten by picking it up with the ...
A: I have never been to a semi-formal affair where fried chicken was served, but if it is served, you ...
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| my family & their relationship with my ex | 11/3/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I had been married for 18 years with 3 kids. I have a large family and some of them are staying in ...
A: While I can appreciate not wanting to go into detail with your family on the exact causes of the ...
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| Christmas Card/Recent Death | 11/2/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: In January of this year a good friend from high school passed away unexpectadly. We lived in ...
A: Please do send the cards. It will most certainly be a difficult time for the whole family, but it ...
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| birthday cards | 11/2/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: How long after a birthday/anniversary can a card be sent? I have received some up to 2 months after ...
A: Great question! The nuance is lost after a week. A belated card can safely be sent up to two weeks ...
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| Graduate Party Invitations | 11/2/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: My wife will be graduating with her doctorate degree and she wants a party with all her friends and ...
A: It is never appropriate to ask for gifts - any gifts. It is especially rude to ask for money. Your ...
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| restaurant etiquette | 11/2/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I was out to dinner with my husband at a fine restaurant. During the course of our meal, a couple ...
A: Berger, You did the correct thing. The man just said hello spontaneously because you caught each ...
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| questions | 11/1/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: How do I address my wedding invitation to my godfathers widow? Is it also proper to send her a ...
A: She is Mrs Milford F Renquist until the days she dies or until she remarries. It is not ...
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| First Date - Is Housewaming Gift Appropriate (just moved into new home) | 10/30/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I will be going on a first date with a guy that I know through friends. He will be moving into his ...
A: Err on the side of caution and pass for now. The home will still be new for several more months yet ...
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| President wants to borrow bus pass | 10/30/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I work at a small company (12 people). The president of my company has asked me on multiple ...
A: You are neither ungrateful for your job or wrong in your assessment of improper behavior by your ...
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| Invitation not wanted | 10/29/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: A female co-worker is getting married within the year and she plans on inviting everybody in the ...
A: Simply wait for the invitation to arrive and then decline it politely. Sending your regrets closes ...
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| surprise birthday party | 10/28/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: my mom is giving my dad a 60th surprise birthday party and was wonder was it ok to register for ...
A: Jenkins, No,it is not appropriate to register for gifts for a birthday. People are to be ...
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| Retirement Dinner | 10/28/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: I have been invited to a small retirement dinner for a colleague that is being held at another ...
A: You are implying that because the party is being catered and the host is not slaving over a hot ...
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| Rude to ask for a gift?!?! | 10/28/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I have a question. My step-sister and I have had very limited contact in the last few years. Due to ...
A: It is always rude to ask for a gift. That said, your step-sister seems to be grasping at a ...
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| who pays for the movie? | 10/27/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: We have a 12.5 yr. old daughter who is an only child. We would like to know when we invite a friend ...
A: You are 100% correct. I can't imagine what these other parents are thinking. This is a perfect time ...
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| Sending Invite to Someone Who Had Death in Family | 10/27/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: We are christening our daughter and would like to invite a close family whose daughter sadly passed ...
A: Life goes on and inviting this family to the Christening is appropriate. Do include a note ...
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| salutations | 10/27/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I really never know, when writing a 'thank you' note (or any note) to friends and family, whether to ...
A: The rule is that when you sign a letter, the other persons for whom you are also signing have their ...
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| signing cards | 10/26/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I live with my boyfriend but generally I sign birthday cards to my family etc with just my name. Is ...
A: Clearly your family members know that the two of you live together,so if you want to sign both ...
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| family-style dining | 10/26/2009 | Cynthia Lett |
Q: I have a friend who eats at my home occasionally. She fills her plate as the food is passed, eats ...
A: As the host it would be rude to say anything to your friend about how she piles her food on her ...
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| How to educate relatives about etiquette rules when they visit me | 10/26/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: My husband's nephews and nieces visit us almost every weekend as they live in the same town. They do ...
A: You do not say how old these nephews and nieces are,but it doesn't matter really. This is your house ...
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| 50th Anniversary "Dutch Treat" Local Resturant | 10/25/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: Is it etiquette to invite family and close friends to a 50th Anniversary with notation on invitation ...
A: No, it is not proper etiquette to send out an invitation stating 'Dutch Treat'. Such invitations are ...
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| Teapot gift | 10/23/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: Jay, since you were so wonderful with my question about friends inviting me out for a 40th birthday ...
A: You are not asking too many questions. That is what I do - answer questions, so feel free. Yes, ...
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| Teapot gift | 10/23/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: Jay, since you were so wonderful with my question about friends inviting me out for a 40th birthday ...
A: This is kind of humorous really. By all means, phone the mother and explain the situation. Simply ...
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| acknowledging birthday cards | 10/23/2009 | Jay Remer |
Q: Is it necesisary to acknowledge greeting cards ?
A: Although it would not be appropriate to acknowledge a card with a note (unless it had a nice fat ...
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