About Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). Expertise As an author, educator, newspaper columnist and trainer in the field of manners and etiquette, I am able to answer questions on every aspect of social etiquette and good manners. I cover adult and children`s manners,introductions, dining skills, verbal and written communication (including e-mail, cell phone and regular telephone etiquette), tipping, weddings, travel, births, death and funerals, proper attire for every occasion, office etiquette, invitations, entertaining, the roles of a host and a guest, thank you notes, family life, interviews, gift-giving, graduations, good grooming, disabled persons, hotels,school manners, good sportsmanship,respect, manners in public places( the theater, movies, church, shopping, restaurants, etc.), being a good neighbor, and being considerate of others.
Experience I am the originator of national Children's Good Manners Month (September) and founder of The Good Manners Club. My school program "Manners Do Matter" is used successfully throughout the United States.
I teach manners and etiquette at the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University, United Technologies Corporation, Cigna Corporation and The Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic Schools.
I wrote and recorded my Dr. Manners' Moments for Radio Disney, which aired for nearly two years. I was a regular contributor on WVIT-TV NBC30 during 2002 and 2003. I was a regular etiquette expert on WTIC (Radio)for nearly 3 years. I have been interviewed by radio stations, television stations, newspapers and other publications around the world. I recently appeared in an episode of the television show Survival Guide, on the Fine Living Network on Personal Etiquette and am a consultant for the Network. I was asked to write an article for The New York Times on Manners and Etiquette for the Summer, which was published on Sunday, May 16, 2004.
I have visited dozens of schools, public and private; worked with The Girl Scouts; various community groups (including Chambers of Commerce and Senior Citizen Groups); church groups,and more.
I am a former elementary school principal and a former elementary school teacher.
Additionally, I have authored several books and booklets on manners and etiquette.
I have been a manners advice newspaper columnist for nine years.
My education includes:
Ph.D. in Education, LaSalle University;
Administrator Certification, Sacred Heart University;
Teacher Certification, Central Connecticut State University;
B.A. in English, Nazareth College of Rochester;
Etiquette Consultant Certification
Expert: Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). - 10/6/2004
Question What different categorisation are there in English relating to dress code.
Leisure
Casual
Business Casual
Formal
Black tie?
Correct or others + what do they stand for?
Answer Dear Ms. Van Driessche,
Leisure and casual are similar in meaning. Dressy casual usually means no shorts or jeans. Similar to business casual but a bit dressier. Casual means jeans, shorts or anything comfortable.
Business Casual for men means a good quality knit shirt, microfiber or khaki slacks, a sport jacket (just in case a meeting arises), expensive loafers and socks.
Business Casual for women means casual pants, skirts, trousers, dresses, sweater sets and maybe jeans or t-shirts if the company allows them. Sandals are usually discouraged.
Do remember that Business Casual varies from business to business and it is important to find out what the dress codes and rules and regulations governing the codes are for each business.
Formal Attire and Black Tie mean the same thing. Men wear tuxedos. Women wear cocktail dresses, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
White Tie means very formal. Men wear full dress, with white ties, vests and shirts. Women wear long gowns.
Black Tie Optional means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, but it lets you know that the event is formal. The alternate dress would be for men to wear a dark suit and tie. Women would wear cocktail dresses, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
Creative Black Tie is a trendy interpretation of formal wear. The man might go modern with a tuxedo, perhaps wearing a black shirt and no tie. The woman might wear a long or short dress or evening separates.
Semi-formal can be hard to figure out. Usually tuxedos and long dresses are not required. An evening wedding (after 6 p.m.) would still require dark suits for men and a cocktail dress for women. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for the man and a dressy short dress ro dressy suit for the woman.
Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for women and dark suits for men.
Thank you for writing.
Best regards,
Fleming Allaire, Ph.D.
"Dr. Manners"
