emily post photobook press

Open thread

by EPI Staff on August 20, 2010

Welcome to Etiquette Daily

This open thread is your space to use as you like.  We invite you to discuss current and traditional etiquette. Feel free to ask questions of each other and the community moderators here.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

tlns August 20, 2010 at 6:14 am

I have a good friend who has graciously offered to host a baby shower for us. My husband has suggested having the actual shower at our home, which is set up to entertain easily. I am concerned that this will give the appearance that we, not our friend, are hosting the shower, and thus somehow “fishing for gifts.” Is it acceptable for our friend to host at our house?

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Julie August 20, 2010 at 8:52 am

Had the friend expressed where she intended to have it prior to your husband’s suggestion? If someone offers to host and you’ve accepted I would just allow her to choose where it will be held, whether it’s her home, another friend’s home or a restaurant.

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Jack August 20, 2010 at 10:38 am

My sister has just purchased a home with her fiance. The wedding was postponed, he makes up all sorts of excuses to get out of coming to any holidays and apparently feels “intimidated” by us. Our family is nothing but warm, welcoming and kind. He has prejudged us and acts accordingly: he avoids us. When he is in our presence he sits in a corner playing video games or staring at the TV, making no effort to say hello or make eye contact. I feel her relationship with him is a big mistake and will ultimately cause my parents to have to rescue her, especially now that she has purchased a home with him. Am I obligated to send her a housewarming card/gift? I feel like this will be viewed as acceptance of this situation, and of his behavior. But, I don’t want to be perceived as cold or uncaring toward my sister. What should I do? By the way, I wasn’t even told directly by her that she was buying this home, I found out from my fiance.

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alicia August 23, 2010 at 2:16 am

Jack,
You should call up your sister and say that you heard she is buying a home and that that is wonderful and ask for all the details. You do not have to approve of the boyfriend but clearly if she did not tell you she was considering buying a house then your relationship with your sister has suffered. Being nice and close to your sister is not teh same thing as approving of her boyfriend. Yes it might be nice to go over abnd try and chat to the guy during family events and to be a good hostess on behalf of your family. But being a good brother to your sister will be good no matter what for her and yoru family you seem to care about.
Oh and all of this is about kindness and love of family more then technically etiquette.
Alicia

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Pam August 22, 2010 at 9:26 pm

You’ve gone out to a restaurant; the meal has ended. You’ve asked for a container to take your leftovers home with you. Is it okay to ask for more of the ‘freebie’ appetizers to pad out your doggie bag?

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Graceandhonor August 23, 2010 at 2:01 am

No.

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