| Subject | Date Asked |
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| tipping at a hotel | 11/18/2009 |
Q: This question is slightly off the subject of etiquette, but would appreciate an answer. I recently ...
A: It is customary to tip all porters and bell-boys who help you during your stay. If you don't wish ...
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| 1 year old gift registry | 11/5/2009 |
Q: Is it appropriate to do a gift registry for a 1 year old's birthday party? Or is it only acceptable ...
A: I think a gift registry for a one year old's birthday is slightly over the top. Whilst there is ...
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| Greetings | 10/21/2009 |
Q: My step-children walk in my home and do not acknowledge me, not a simple hello. They say hello to ...
A: I agree with you - your step-children should acknowledge you. I can see why they would want to greet ...
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| UK Cocktail dress code?? | 10/13/2009 |
Q: Please can you tell me what the dress code for a Business function held in London which is described ...
A: You should wear a cocktail dress (which should be knee-length or lower). A quick Google Image search ...
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| Etiquettes with senior colleague | 10/10/2009 |
Q: A senior colleague of mine has asked me out for dinner.Technically, he is not my boss as he is in a ...
A: I would suggest that at the dinner you start off friendly but don't be over-friendly. Follow his ...
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| White Tie Dinner | 9/21/2009 |
Q: What is the proper salutation for a 12 year boy attending a white tie dinner? What is the proper ...
A: If it's a white tie dinner, the boy should be in 'White Tie' (just like the other men). What do you ...
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| FEELING INSULTED | 8/26/2009 |
Q: I'm feeling insulted and treated like "the average person". Do you think it's an insult when your ...
A: I don't think in this instance this was meant as an insult. Perhaps your ex-wife just wanted you to ...
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| wedding attendance | 8/20/2009 |
Q: My daughter just sent out her invitations. We have several married couples that are invited to the ...
A: You are right to seek help in this matter - it is a tricky one. If the guest has already asked if ...
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| Having a "past" that is not so pretty, but was sensational and used by others to soil my reputation | 8/7/2009 |
Q: What do I do if in a public gathering, references are made or outright comments bringing up mistakes ...
A: It is probable that these comments were used to hurt you so I would suggest that the best reaction ...
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| Invitations | 8/3/2009 |
Q: A colleague insists that as a Councilor when receiving an invitation to a function for both himself ...
A: If the invitation is an official invitation the rules are: If the Cr is male: Councilor & Mrs. ...
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| Opening doors | 8/1/2009 |
Q: Should a man open the woman's door if she is driving the car? ANSWER: If you know the woman and ...
A: Whatever happens, you should never make a thing about it or proclaim "Ladies first" in a smug ...
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| GIFTS | 7/30/2009 |
Q: We a family of 6 have been invited by our friends for a picnic lunch. The host family in their ...
A: I think having a present on stand-by is a good idea. Although, if the hosts have said 'No gifts' ...
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| addressing step grandparents | 6/13/2009 |
Q: What is the proper way for a grandchild to address his step grandpa or grandma?
A: So sorry for not replying sooner! My internet has been down and only just been fixed. I think in ...
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| Summer Garden Party | 6/1/2009 |
Q: My other half and I are invited to my father's 60th birthday party this week. The dress code is ...
A: 'English Summer Casual' is more or less the same thing as 'smart casual', which normally means 'no ...
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| Dishes | 5/19/2009 |
Q: Just wondering I think it is rude to ask guest to help with the dishes when you invite them over for ...
A: If it was a formal dinner party that I had invited guests over for I would never dream of asking for ...
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| Addressing envelopes to married couples | 5/17/2009 |
Q: I was taught always to address envelopes to married couples as: Mr. J. and Mrs. Smith rather than ...
A: Morris, I have to admit that your question did stump me as I had never come across the first ...
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| Graduation announcements | 5/14/2009 |
Q: I am sending out college graduation announcements, but this would apply to high school graduation ...
A: It would be perfectly acceptable to put on the back of the announcement card something like: ...
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| Introductions | 5/14/2009 |
Q: When an adult is seated, and a youngster or yound adult is being introduced, should the adult come ...
A: In these modern times, where everyone is equal, I would say that in a social environment, it is not ...
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| wedding and children. | 5/12/2009 |
Q: my son is getting married in october, his two children are flower girls and will be attending the ...
A: I think it would not be unreasonable for you to ask if your children could attend, however you ...
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| Graduation announcement or invite | 5/10/2009 |
Q: I received an announcement for my niece's HS graduation. There was no mention of an invite for the ...
A: I would assume that you are not invited as it was just an announcement. An invitation may follow, ...
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| Houseguests nuisance | 5/8/2009 |
Q: My husband and I live in a city which attracts a lot of tourists and visitors. We get requests from ...
A: I think that if you have stayed at their houses in the past it would be hard for you to say no for a ...
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| Would you ask a pregnant friend/relative if you can stay over? | 5/4/2009 |
Q: If you visiting a city out of town or in another country, would you ask to stay at a ...
A: It would depend on how far into the pregnancy it was as well as if they had someone else there to ...
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| Family gatherings | 4/21/2009 |
Q: Our family recently had a large family gathering at my sister in laws house. It was a beautiful day ...
A: If I understand your question to be 'was it wrong I started to clean up?' then I would say no, ...
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| Greeting | 4/20/2009 |
Q: When a person enters a room full of people who should say Hello first, The person entering the room ...
A: There is no strict protocol for 2009, but I would advise that if it is a large room it would ...
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| return addresses | 4/16/2009 |
Q: My husband, our daughter and myself reside together in one home. My husbands son, who is my stepson ...
A: If I understand that you are asking if it was wrong of you to not include his name on the labels, ...
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| taking back a dish you offered to bring to a party | 4/6/2009 |
Q: Is it considered rude for a guest or family member to take back the food item, that they've offered ...
A: Yes, it is rude, although any food left over (at a family or informal gathering) should be divided ...
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| Table manners | 3/27/2009 |
Q: Is it bad manners to clean your knife on your fork whilst eating. Sometimes the knife gets a bit ...
A: Yes, it is bad mannered. Depending on the event you are attending, you may provided with a ...
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| Payment for singing at a funeral | 3/23/2009 |
Q: Should you expect payment if strangers asked you to sing at a funeral? What is the proper timing on ...
A: If you did agree a fee or payment in general with the bereaved then yes, it is perfectly acceptable ...
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| unwelcome flattery | 3/22/2009 |
Q: I am the American wife of a Vice President working and living in Thailand.I find it inappropriate ...
A: I think you may have to accept this one and just ignore it as much as you can. However, the best way ...
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| house under construction | 3/21/2009 |
Q: We bought a fixer upper..and after a few years we are still working on it...and all we have left to ...
A: Not knowing what you house looks like, it is hard for me to pass judgment, but if it is just a few ...
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| Introductions | 3/18/2009 |
Q: Is it ever appropriate to say "Nice to meet you" before actually exchanging names, or should this ...
A: One should never actually say "nice to meet you" when being introduced. The expression is 'how do ...
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| Visitors in the workplace | 3/17/2009 |
Q: What is the rule for workers in an office having casual visitors?
A: Visitors should not visit for long or interfere with work. Fifteen minutes is maximum and visits ...
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| proper gifts | 3/11/2009 |
Q: In a few weeks there will be a party from work, one of my colleges has offered to drive me there, ...
A: A decent bottle of wine or box of quality chocolates is the usual gift. However, some people prefer ...
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| exchanging a gift give to a friend for her birthday | 3/11/2009 |
Q: I recently gave a co-worker a gift for her birthday. We share a classroom so we see each other ...
A: Technically, no. Once a gift is given then the responsibility and ownership has passed and legally ...
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| birthday party bills | 3/10/2009 |
Q: i was invited by one of my friends to celebrate her birthday to a restaurant that she chosen. as we ...
A: You are nit entirely to blame here, but you should have remained quiet about your disgruntlement in ...
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| social etiquotte | 3/9/2009 |
Q: After 20 years of marrige came divorce with 3 children.Exwife seperated communications for next 18 ...
A: I would advise that a simple handshake would be best. However, it is normally the protocol to follow ...
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| Greetings | 3/5/2009 |
Q: Is it appropriate for a woman to hug men when greeting. Please address this for single, dating, ...
A: It is not inappropriate for a woman to hug a man on greeting so long as they already have met and ...
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| Social Etiquette when Dating | 3/5/2009 |
Q: Could you tell me your thoughts about when dating with a lady, if the guy is supposed to pay for the ...
A: I am so sorry I did not respond to it sooner - my email and web server crashed on Monday night and ...
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| What to wear if attending a Debutante Ball | 3/4/2009 |
Q: I was invited to attend a debutante ball. I am only a guess, I'm 29 years of age and I want to make ...
A: I am so sorry I did not respond to it sooner - my email and web server crashed on Monday night and ...
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| title etiquette | 3/3/2009 |
Q: We are hosting a tea for the present Earl of Southesk this summer and would like to know what is the ...
A: You would address him in speech as 'Lord Southesk'. If you are referring to him to others in ...
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| Graduating Twice in One Month! | 2/17/2009 |
Q: I am a senior in college. My first college announced its' closing last semester, so I had to ...
A: As a Briton, I am not overly familiar with the American system of 'announcements' - do you mean in a ...
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| Being excepted into the high scool of ones choice. | 2/16/2009 |
Q: My niece had her heart set on attending a particular High School with her best friend. Admission to ...
A: The solution, I think, is not so much to do with etiquette to good manners, more to do with luck. If ...
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| Who pays how much for a dinner bill? | 2/16/2009 |
Q: Who pays how much for a dinner bill I joined 2 friends at a pub; they are engaged to be married. ...
A: Either. It doesn't matter, to be honest. However, if it was split 3 ways, it could be argued that ...
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| cell phones | 2/8/2009 |
Q: Is it rude to continuously be on a cell phone when a guest in someones home? Is it rude to ask a ...
A: Yes, it is very rude for a guest (or host) to be constantly on the phone, whether it be texting or ...
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| weekend wedding etiquette | 1/31/2009 |
Q: Is the brides family obligated to pay for the bed and breakfast lodging fees for the grooms family ...
A: It all depends on the means of the groom's family. If they are more than capable to pay for their ...
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| Origins of please and thank you | 1/28/2009 |
Q: What are the origins of saying please and thank you? Also wondering when is history that social ...
A: However, this is a very long answer and is a bit like asking 'how long is a piece of string?'. ...
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| adressing envelopes to widows | 1/27/2009 |
Q: What is the proper address for a note to a widow? Mrs. Charles Smith or Mrs. Mary Smith?
A: Technically, it is still 'Mrs Charles Smith', but I know some prefer to revert to 'Mrs Mary Smith'. ...
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| Social Etiquette | 1/22/2009 |
Q: Hanson: My husband and I have a neighbor couple that we consider good friends. We've vacationed ...
A: This is a very difficult one as there are so many people involved. At the end of the day, it was the ...
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| Mr. , Mrs, etc. | 1/20/2009 |
Q: For example, if you name is Robert Smith is it proper to address yourself or refer to yourself as ...
A: You are correct. You should introduce yourself to someone as follows: YOU: Hello, Robert Smith. How ...
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| Shower invitations | 1/18/2009 |
Q: Some reletives live far away and would not be able to attend a shower. Should they be sent ...
A: Yes, although one could argue that it is a waste, it is always best not to offend anyone, rather ...
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| Bridal Shower cards | 1/17/2009 |
Q: How do you sign a bridal shower card if you are the future mother-in-law of the bride? ANSWER: Dear ...
A: Ah I see. Well, my grandmother signs cards to my parents as 'with love Mother', although she has ...
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| Bridal Shower cards | 1/16/2009 |
Q: How do you sign a bridal shower card if you are the future mother-in-law of the bride?
A: As far as I am aware, you would simply sign the card with your name/signature like any other card. ...
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| Collecting Guests From Airports | 1/15/2009 |
Q: When going to visit friends overseas is it proper to be met at the airport? When I lived overseas I ...
A: Whilst it is a nice hosting 'touch' to offer a personal collection service, it certainly isn't ...
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| Name of my first born son | 1/15/2009 |
Q: My wife and I are having a child. The child is a boy and we had decided to name him Jaden ...
A: This is a difficult one to answer, as it involves such strong human emotions, which can be personal ...
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| Bereavement Notes | 1/14/2009 |
Q: My much loved mother in law died. My husband received a card from my step son (his son and daughter ...
A: It is perfectly correct to address the letter of condolence to the one who has the direct loss, i.e. ...
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