From the monthly archives:
Q: A friend of mine (who is well off – despite the recession) is about to have her baby shower. When I looked at the gifts on her registry they were all too expensive for my budget. How do I deal with this? A: A gift should be thoughtful, heartfelt and most importantly, fit within [...]
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Q: I had to introduce someone last week, but I couldn’t remember her name. It was so embarrassing. I felt like a jerk. What should I have done? A: We’ve all been there—that awkward moment of making an introduction when you can’t remember a name. There is nothing you can do but admit that you’ve [...]
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Q: My friend and I would like to throw our other friend a surprise 40th birthday at her favorite restaurant. Due to our budget we’d like to ask guests to pay for their meal and chip in on hers. How could we word this on the invitation? A: How wonderful that you’d like to treat [...]
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Q: My son recently announced his engagement and potential wedding dates. A month later his cousin announced her engagement. Of course as luck would have it, the available date for getting married at the venue he and his fiancée have chosen is the same day his cousin has selected to be married in her friend’s [...]
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Q: I recently invited 25 people to a cocktail party at my house. Fourteen haven’t responded yet and the party is one week away! Should I call to ask if they are coming? A: It’s inconsiderate, but unfortunately common, for guests to fail to RSVP. Some forget; others procrastinate and then feel guilty, so they [...]
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Q: The recession has hit my friend hard. I am fortunate that it hasn’t affected me as badly. What should I do to let her know I’m sorry for her without seeming to gloat? A: You’re right to be sensitive to your friend’s needs at this time. In fact Emily Post always said, “Etiquette is [...]
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Q: What is the appropriate way to word a wedding invitation when both parents are hosting the wedding and all four parents are doctors (PH.D.s)? The mother of the bride truly prefers to use her title as opposed to using “Dr. and Mrs. …” Thank You. A: When all four parents are doctors and hosting [...]
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Q: In the past I didn’t mind picking up friends and giving them rides, but with the price of gas, Im thinking of asking for contributions towards gas. Is this appropriate? If so, how can I ask so that I get a positive response and not come off looking like a cheapskate? A: We think [...]
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Q: We were just seated on a plane near a family with three totally out-of-control kids. The parents (and flight attendants) did nothing to quiet them down. What should I have done? A: First, try to move to seats further away from the noisy children, if any are available. If not, ask a flight attendant–ideally, [...]
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Q: It drives me crazy when someone’s cart blocks the aisle in the grocery store. Should I move it or should I say something to the person? A: Short of shopping at 3:00 a.m., you’re unlikely to make it through the store without a cart jam. A polite “excuse me” usually works, but you may [...]
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The Gift of Good Manners
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