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Social Etiquette and Good Manners/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| 60th Wedding Anniversary | 2/8/2012 | Jay Remer |
| Q: I want to place a 60th wedding anniversary announcement in the newspaper for my parents. One ... A: Include the names of all grandchildren or the total number. The fact that one grandchild is deceased ... | ||
| Party Gifts | 2/5/2012 | Jay Remer |
| Q: One of my neighbors had a party at her house. Assuming this was like one of our community cookouts, ... A: If you are invited to someone's house for a party, assume they will provide the food. If the ... | ||
| meeting daughter's boyfriends parents | 2/4/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: We our visiting our daughter who lives out of state. We have not yet met her boyfriend's parents ... A: You should always extend your own invitations, not through your daughter. Call (no email or texting ... | ||
| I am so rude. How to recover? | 2/4/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: While at my daughters ballet class, I was talking to a mom sitting next to me. She is from Europe ... A: If I were you I wouldn't say anything to the pajama mom. Wearing pajamas in public is still not ... | ||
| Who should give a baby shower? | 2/1/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My son's wife's mother informed me that the immediate family does not do the baby shower. I thought ... A: Brides and Expectant Mothers should be given a shower for their first wedding and baby only. The ... | ||
| Table settings | 1/29/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Can you use a table cloth, placemat and charger? A: You can use a charger with either a tablecloth or placemat or both. Using a tablecloth and placemat ... | ||
| parents | 1/25/2012 | Jay Remer |
| Q: My parents are in their seventies and have been married to each other for over 50 years. When we ... A: Please excuse my tardy response. I am on the road and easily distracted. You have a big issue ... | ||
| 2 weeks to live | 1/25/2012 | Suzanne Zazulak Pedro |
| Q: A former employee has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and given two weeks to live. What is ... A: I am sorry to hear about your colleague's critical condition. You did mention former employee, ... | ||
| Male friend constantly visiting | 1/21/2012 | Jay Remer |
| Q: My mom who is 79 years old and widowed since 2004 has lots of friends. There is one person who ... A: This man does sound lonely and I'm sure he enjoys your mother's company. However, he is being ... | ||
| Book of Remembrance | 1/19/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: Is there an etiquette about how to phrase an entry in a book of remembrance in regard to roles. My ... A: You may include any of the deceased's biographical information that you wish. Even if she ... | ||
| Amanda Gamble, HSC course | 1/18/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My name is Sara and i am a current year 12 student. As part of my subjects for 2012 i have chosen ... A: What an interesting topic! I think your best bet would be to create a series of questions that would ... | ||
| Grave Headstone | 1/18/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: Why is the mans name,when married,always on the left and the wife's name is on the right? I have 3 ... A: Please know how sorry I am for your loss. There is no hard and fast rule about the order of ... | ||
| interrupt | 1/16/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: is it ever correct to interrupt someone as they are speaking? A: Absolutely. Courtesy demands that you yell out a warning about an avalanche, no matter how badly it ... | ||
| food | 1/16/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: Recently a new friend was at our home. For desert we offered small handmade choclate treats. Our new ... A: You certainly may send or give him more if you wish,but it is not necessary. ... | ||
| Sympathy Flowers to home or funeral home | 1/14/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My sister,s Mother-in-Law, whom I have never met, passed away. I would like to send flowers to the ... A: It is absolutely appropriate to send flowers for the service of someone whom you have never met. All ... | ||
| Social Introductions of New Wife | 1/13/2012 | Constance Hoffman |
| Q: My husband and I have been married about a year and a half. He has a son who is a senior in high ... A: Absolutely introduce yourself. Allow a break in the flow of the conversation, reach out your hand, ... | ||
| dont know | 1/8/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: this man that is a brother to my hair dresser , came to my work and brought me flowers.. I'm single ... A: If you like this man and want to see him socially again, call him and thank him for the flowers and ... | ||
| wedding attire | 1/7/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My son will be getting married in October. It will be a black tie optional evening wedding. The ... A: The bride is absolutely correct. You may,in good conscience, wear the gown length of your choice. As ... | ||
| Mom's 80th Birthday | 1/7/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My husband and I have been going back with forth with it and still disagree with each other. Mom's ... A: Most people want to celebrate their special birthdays on their birthdays. Your Mom will probably ... | ||
| gift giving to children | 1/7/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My son and his wife sent his nephews cards with money for Christmas. One nephew is 12 the other is ... A: No,it was not wrong to tell your son the consequences of his actions. Much depends,of course on how ... | ||
| gift giving and receiving | 1/7/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My son and his daughter gave me a scarf for Christmas this year and did not get my husband of 30 ... A: How odd. Yes,if the family only had a certain amount to spend on gifts,a present that could be used ... | ||
| wedding gift for co-worker | 1/6/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: A co-worker is getting married (for the third time). None of the staff has been invited to the ... A: If you are not attending the wedding or a member of the family, you are in no way obligated to give ... | ||
| etiquette | 1/3/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: A lady whom I know called me on Saturday and invited me to lunch at her house the following ... A: I am afraid your daughter is correct. It was rude to suggest having the lunch at your house instead ... | ||
| family holiday visit | 1/2/2012 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My adult niece came for a 2 week Christmas visit and stayed with her Dad, my brother, who happens to ... A: I'm sorry that your niece chose not to share some of her time with you during her recent visit. Any ... | ||
| wording on invitation | 1/1/2012 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My husband is being honored by a group. He is being inducted into their hall of fame. We would ... A: Am I right to assume that you will only be invite a few people? If yes,a handwritten note to each ... | ||
| Car borrowing | 12/29/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My aunt texted me asking if my cousin and his wife could borrow my car for a week, while they were ... A: Please allow me to clarify your question. You are asking if you should say something to your cousin ... | ||
| guest in your home | 12/25/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: What is the proper etiqutte for guest (my significant others family of whom I'm just getting to ... A: I believe you are asking whether your significant other's family is planning to stay in your home ... | ||
| Birthday gifts for adult | 12/24/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: With my 60th birthday approaching, I would like to ask adult friends and family who live out of ... A: No one is never to assume that anyone is going to give then a present,so it is not appropriate to ... | ||
| Witnessing Friend's Parental Discipline | 12/24/2011 | Suzanne Zazulak Pedro |
| Q: My question has to do with parental discipline, specifically witnessing a friend using physical ... A: I do apologize for the slight holiday delay, but in regard to your question about parental ... | ||
| debutante ball | 12/23/2011 | Constance Hoffman |
| Q: I am a 17 year old girl and one of my Guy friends asked me to be his date for his sisters debutante ... A: It'll be better to be overdressed than under dressed at a deb ball, especially as you know that the ... | ||
| Family party etiquette | 12/20/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: Gamble, My niece and her husband had a baby daughter three years ago.They live in the next town ... A: All parties have a beginning and an end time,even if it is not expressly stated. It sounds as if the ... | ||
| Etching on a gift | 12/15/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I am giving my boss a special bottle of bourbon. Is it acceptable to put the following etched on ... A: Unless you work in a very small office where he normal boundaries between boss/employee are ... | ||
| Graduation etiquette | 12/14/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I am graduating this spring from graduate school. Should I send a graduation announcement to the ... A: Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Announcements for graduation are normally reserved for ... | ||
| Guests | 12/13/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Let me preface that my husband is a very generous man. For years I have entertained his friends and ... A: I am on your wavelength of thinking regarding taking a hiatus from hosting large gatherings. I ... | ||
| Christmas card | 12/10/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My husband died suddenly/unexpectedly 4 months ago. How do I acknowledge Christmas cards received ... A: I am so sorry for your loss. If you would like the senders of the Christmas cards which bear both ... | ||
| Announcements | 12/10/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My son is getting married next Saturday in a small private ceremony by a Justice of the Peace. They ... A: An announcement is merely news for people who might be interested in learning it. So,as soon as the ... | ||
| signing christmas card | 12/7/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I am divorced 5 years and still communicate with my x's family. My children are in their 20's ... A: The children now living on their own shouldn't be included in the signature for the card. It is fine ... | ||
| Christmas Card Etiquette | 12/6/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: My father passed away on November 16. I want to include pictures on my Christmas card with him and ... A: Please know how sorry I am for your loss. As it was such a recent event,of course you are not in a ... | ||
| party etiquette with dietary needs | 12/6/2011 | Constance Hoffman |
| Q: What do you do if you are going to a relatives house for Christmas and you will not be able to eat ... A: I assume the relative is distant if they are not already aware of the dietary needs. Non-related ... | ||
| Single Sibling vs. Married Sibling with Kids & Parental Gift Giving | 12/6/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I NEED ADVICE!!! I am married with 3 kids and my sister is single with no kids. Every year there ... A: Your question is a common one that I receive at this time of year so please forgive me for sounding ... | ||
Social Etiquette and Good Manners
Answers by Expert:
Amanda Gamble
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I will answer any etiquette question you`d care to ask! I will be happy to give friendly non-judgmental advice on any situation. Certain cultures and religions that outside of my personal scope of knowledge but I usually know whom to ask when I have a question. Time specific questions may or may not get answered by your deadline.
Experience
I have been writing a daily etiquette advice column for 12 years.
I have taught as well as given lectures on the subject.
Education/Credentials
Life and other institutions.
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