| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| wedding | 7/15/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: is it proper etiquette for a second marriage bride to keep her first husband's name? she has been ...
A: Yon, Have you made your feelings on this subject clear to your intended? If this is truly a "deal ...
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| answering email | 7/14/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I recently sent my son and daughter in law and email referring to information on family vacation ...
A: I am trying to figure out from the limited information you gave why you are upset. Did they agree to ...
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| Rewards Credit Cards | 7/13/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: When splitting the tab at a friendly dinner out, is it an etiquette faux pas to pocket the cash of ...
A: DEAR HEAVENS NO. Look,let's go at this thing properly. These are good enough friends that you are ...
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| Quinceanera Etiquette | 7/6/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I have looked all over the 'net, yet I still can't find the answer to this! Hopefully you will have ...
A: Please forgive me,but I have a splitting headache that won't seem to go away. What I am going to do ...
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| wedding | 7/5/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I work at school in a small town, where almost everybody knows each other. The teacher I am working ...
A: By all means send the happy couple a card or a note congratulating them on this occassion. No matter ...
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| Party invitations | 7/5/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I'm giving a dinner party at a restaurant to honor my husband as he retires. I'm trying to put ...
A: Colleran, The party sounds wonderful! Here are some suggestions for wording your invitation: ...
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| I did RSVP but didn't go... | 7/4/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My problem is this: I was given an invitation to an afternoon anniversary party several weeks ...
A: Unless you had an extremely good reason for not attending the anniversary party, yes, you were very ...
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| repeating one's name during a conversation | 7/3/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: is it rude to constantly repeat one's name during a conversation when you two are the only parties ...
A: The tactic you mention, of constantly repeating one's name during a conversation of two, is ...
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| invitation | 7/3/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: My sister and her husband planned to see a movie. My husband and I decided to see it also. I asked ...
A: I'm not sure how your sister got the impression that you and your husband were inviting them to the ...
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| Avoiding telling the truth | 7/3/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: Would avoiding telling the truth and covering it up with some other things (not lies) count on as ...
A: It is difficult for me to answer your question without some more details of the situation. You ...
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| Uninvited visitors | 6/29/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I have a acquaintance who "just drops in" frequently. She never calls, just stops out of the blue to ...
A: WOW. You've already explained the "house rules" (i.e. NO dropping by with out call) and she is flat ...
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| Thank card for a thank you gift? | 6/28/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: Gamble, I am a kindergarden teacher and receive many gifts throughout the year from students and ...
A: Ford, It's never wrong to write a thank you note for a gift received! However,if you have just ...
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| PhD etiquette | 6/25/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: As a newly minted PhD I need to know the etiquette for using the title. Do I use it in all ...
A: Fundaburk, Congratulations on your accomplishment! Definitely use your title in academia. It ...
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| introductions | 6/23/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My girlfriend(52) will be meeting my son (33)and his wife(27). What is the proper way to do the ...
A: During social introductions, you always introduce women first. Since your girlfriend doesn't know ...
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| reply to wedding invite | 6/18/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I was invited to a black tie wedding and the reply card is blank except for in small print at the ...
A: Something to the effect of "Jennifer and Mark Smith regretfully decline due to a previous ...
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| What do we send? | 6/14/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My husband and I are changing our cell phone numbers. Is it appropriate to send a change of ...
A: Saliba, It is a great idea to let all of your friends know your new cell phone numbers and your ...
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| Etiquette | 6/11/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: How much money should I give for a High School graduation present? A Wedding present?
A: Gift amounts for graduations and weddings truly depend upon what the giver can afford and how well ...
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| asking for money as a gift | 6/10/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: .My young son and I were recently invited to a bbq celebrating a sweet 16 and bon voyage combined ...
A: Asking the girl's mother for a suggestion for a gift was a good idea on your part. She could have ...
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| Etiquette - Pour or Ladle from Gravy Boat | 6/8/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: If a gravy or sauce is passed in a gravy boat with a ladle, is it appropriate to pour the liquid ...
A: Methelis, When gravy or sauce is served in a gravy boat with a ladle, use the ladle to pour the ...
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| Returning Promise Rings | 6/5/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My (girl) friend was wondering about a ring situation. her boyfriend of 4 years gave her a promise ...
A: J., When a young man gives a piece of jewelry to a young woman, it is considered a gift. If a ...
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| What to call a Ph.D in public | 6/3/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: When one has a Ph.D., especially in a field such as history or english, how should he be addressed ...
A: In casual or social settings, people who have Ph.D. degrees sometimes do like to be addressed with ...
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| Gift of money can't accept | 6/2/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I have a dear friend that I went to college with, we send Christmas cards and birthday cards between ...
A: Staver, I am going to offer a few options for you to consider under the circumstances. You could ...
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| Guests bringing food to a birthday party? | 5/26/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I am planning a surprise birthday party for my mother. However, I live 1300 miles away from her, ...
A: No,it's not improper to have a "theme" for the party. If that's what you want, an upscale exotic ...
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| inviting teachers to children's functions | 5/23/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My fifth-grade and second-grade daughters both would be thrilled to have their teachers attend their ...
A: When I was a teacher and principal, I received several invitations to recitals, plays and concerts ...
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| Greetings | 5/21/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: When a person enters a room and there are already person(s)there, who should greet first?
A: When a person enters a room and others are already there, hopefully they will notice the person ...
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| 80th Surprise Birthday | 5/20/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: Manners, My mother and father are throwing a large party for my grandmother, who will be turning 80 ...
A: Guest is the operative word regarding the birthday party for your Grandmother. Your guests will be ...
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| Baby Shower No Shows | 5/9/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I was just given a baby shower. I invited three guests and I had attended their baby showers or ...
A: Elliot, Did these guests let you know that they were unable to attend or did they simply not ...
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| Medical School Graduation Invitation | 5/7/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My first cousin's wife is graduating from medical school. We were sent a formal invitation and also ...
A: Bossert, Since you are unable to attend, simply send your regrets and thank them for thinking of ...
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| Etiquette - Special Diets | 5/7/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I am attending a BBQ this weekend, which is sort of a going away event for my wife and myself. ...
A: McClintock, Both of your ideas are perfect. First call your hosts and explain your situation and ...
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| Reserved Seating Arrangments | 5/7/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: I'm planning a dinner for my son who is graduating from collge. He's married, and me and his father ...
A: Johnson, As you are the hostess (and paying for the event) please make up the seating chart to ...
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| graduation attire for guests | 5/5/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: What is the appropriate attire for guests at a morning college graduation ceremony? Please let me ...
A: At a college graduation ceremony,unless you go in your birthday suits,you will not stand out or make ...
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| Graduation Dinner Expense | 5/4/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: My son is graduating from college in June, and I am planning on inviting just the families, and then ...
A: Almgren, When you extend an invitation to someone for dinner, the person doing the inviting is ...
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| Thank you note | 4/30/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: Manners, My husband and I were recently married four weeks ago, and I have finished all of my ...
A: Brown, First of all, congratulations on writing all of your "Thank You" notes. You are to be ...
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| Children and introductions to adults. | 4/30/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I am trying to teach my children to address adults as Mr. or Mrs. as my friends are not their peers. ...
A: You are trying to teach your children to have respect for adults. You are absolutely correct that ...
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| Phone Etiquette | 4/29/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I grew up with the notion that the person initiating the call is the one to end it [except between ...
A: , You are correct in thinking that the person initiating the call usually ends the conversation. ...
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| Questions Manners | 4/28/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: -What is your definition of good manners? Bad? -Do you think that people are more rude today than ...
A: Wise, Ordinarily, I answer one personal question at a time for those who write in. Are you ...
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| Tipping | 4/22/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: I am having a 50th birthday party for my husband and am having a caterer provide the food. It will ...
A: Some caterers expect a tip and others do not. The best way for you to find out is to ask your ...
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| gum | 4/20/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: How do I address a person who pops their gum at work?
A: You can always feign a nervous condition and scream in fright everytime you hear the pop. Then look ...
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| Rude - Manners | 4/20/2004 | Fleming Allaire, Ph.D., a.k.a Dr. Manners (TM). |
Q: The Dir. of Adm. Services advise an employee of our department that answering a question with a ...
A: Snider, If an employee does not understand a directive or is unclear of the meaning of something, ...
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| don't know what i'm doing | 4/16/2004 | Amanda Gamble |
Q: i don't feel like i really know what good manners are. what does a well-mannered teenage girl act ...
A: WOW...that's not too broad of a question! The thing to remember about being well mannered is to ...
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