Q: My son has been having some issues at school that we have been working on with his teacher and principal. My husband and I are very private with our son’s struggles, keeping his self esteem and what’s best for him foremost in our priorities. One of the latest ideas for him to try is to use a keyboard at school in place of writing some assignments. This has been wonderful for him, boosting self esteem while getting his work done. I stand with my neighbor at the bus stop every day. Her son is also in my son’s class. She has always been quite the gossip about other people and is nosy. I’m just waiting for the day that she asks me why my son is using a keyboard instead of writing. What response would you recommend? I don’t want to be rude but I want her to know that her question is inappropriate.

A: It is a difficult situation. However, you might say that the principal and the teacher suggested that it would be helpful for your son to use the keyboard in place of writing. If your neighbor persists and asks why, you may simply say it’s a private matter and you prefer (or see no need) to discuss it further.

This is a family favorite. We use it on Shrimp, Chicken, Pork Tenderloin and Steak. It goes great with Sweet Potatoes, Onions, Red, Yellow and Orange Peppers, Mushrooms, Cauliflower, Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes. Mix and match your favorites.  You can skewer your meats and veggies for kebabs or keep them whole. The marinade is very forgiving so feel free to adjust amounts according to your taste.

The Marinade:

1 Medium to Large Yellow Onion
Juice from 1 Large Lemon
3 TBSP Curry Powder
1 TBSP Ground Ginger
1 TBSP Ground Corriander
1 tsp Kosher or Sea Salt
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes – or to taste, leave out entirely for those who don’t like hot spice
¼ Cup Olive Oil

1. Using a Quizineart or Blender puree the onion and lemon juice together.
2. Add Curry Powder, Ground Ginger, Ground Corriander, Salt and Red Pepper Flakes and blend until thoroughly mixed.
3. You can either add the olive oil and pulse the blender once or twice to mix, or pour the onion, lemon and spice mix into a bowl and mix with a whisk or spoon. You DO NOT want to emulsify the mixture, so mix it gently.
4. Save a small amount of the marinade for brushing on while grilling. Use the rest on your meat, fish or poultry of choice with your favorite grilling vegetables.

NOTE: When you make this recipe with chicken, onions and peppers it can easily be turned into a GREAT curry chicken salad. Here’s how: Combine your already marinated and grilled chicken, peppers and onions into a large Tupperware container or bowl. Mix in 1 TBSP of Mayonnaise, 2 TBSP Sour Cream. I also add sliced almonds and Craisins. Increase the amount of Mayonnaise and Sour Cream as needed to keep the mixture moist.

Welcome to the 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.

Q: Is it appropriate to make a comment to a new-coworker about his lack of professionalism?  I’m referring to his use of “slang” or “street talk” in the office.

A: Be careful — you could be skating on very thin ice here.  If the language in question isn’t explicitly foul, you’re better off leaving any corrective action to a supervisor or a close friend.  At the same time, everyone in the business world should realize that how you present yourself, including your wardrobe, your body language, your hygiene, and your choice of words, will have a direct effect on your success.  Using slang or street talk in the office can only hold a person back.

If you decide to move ahead, try asking other employees if they’ve noticed her language, if they think it affects her work negatively, and if management knows about it and condones it. If their answers indicate you should pursue the situation further, you could raise the issue with your manager on the grounds that it may be hurting the company.

Be aware, though, that once you do, your manager may act—and you may then have to deal with a resentful, angry employee who thinks her actions are none of your business.

Welcome to the 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.

Once in a while, everyone does it…what makes you honk your car horn?

Please feel free to expand on this poll in the comments section below.

Q: What is the proper way to wear your wedding rings – I have my engagement ring on first and then my band – but I have noticed most people wear it just the opposite the band is on first and then the engagement ring? Is is okay to wear either way?

A: Just before the ceremony, the bride switches her engagement ring from her left hand to her right. At the ceremony, the wedding band is placed by on the bride’s left hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring is returned to the bride’s left hand on top of the wedding band. Therefore, it is considered more appropriate to wear the engagement ring on “top” of the wedding band. However, it is still your choice as to the order of your rings.

This post is brought to you by Photobook Press. Take a look at the new line of Emily Post Wedding Photobooks. FINE CUSTOM PHOTOBOOKS

Welcome to the 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.

Q: My company sent a form for me to fill out and return.  Because the return envelope had no postage, I ignored it.  Six weeks later, I received a second notice.  This time I sent the form back with a note: “You owe me 37 cents postage.”  I was trying to make a point that if a company wants employees to return a form, it should provide postage.  Later, I received an envelope containing a copy of my form, and a quarter, a dime, and two pennies, with no note of explanation.  I suspect they didn’t get my point.

A: They understood your point precisely.  An important part of getting along at work is to pick your battles carefully.  Is a 37-cent stamp work making a stand over?  Probably not.  By answering the form right away and dropping it in your company’s interoffice mail, you could have resolved the situation with a lot less aggravation to yourself.

From the left: sitting - Cindy and Nancy; standing - Lisa, Olivia, Staci, Heather, Suzanne, Meredith

Meet our newest “etiquette experts” heading out to teach children, parents, and teachers essential social skills necessary to building a truly civil society. At our Train the Trainers – Children’s Program at the end of March seven vibrant, committed women (I’m still waiting for the first man to come to a training) completed the Emily Post Institute’s program developed to train folks to teach etiquette classes for children. In 2009 I wrote a post celebrating a commitment to courtesy.

“Over the past two years I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with women (men could come but they haven’t) who think it’s important to teach etiquette in their communities. We call it our Children’s Etiquette Train the Trainer program and it’s one of my favorite things to do. Women from San Diego, Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Annapolis, Chicago, Hartford, Greenwich, Detroit, New Jersey, Atlanta, New Orleans, Birmingham, Orlando, Jacksonville, Dallas, Houston, Washington DC, the Bahamas, Bahrain(!) and more want to teach parents, teachers, and kids of all ages the manners that can help them get along at home, school, and in the community.”

Now it’s been another two years and I have continued to train women to teach etiquette to children and youth. We’ve added North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Missouri, Maryland, Alabama, and Tennessee to the list of states represented by our trainees. The backgrounds and motivations are as diverse as the women: teachers, social workers, counselors, parents, coaches, editors, and business people looking for a change or planning to enhance what they are already doing. My admiration for them all grows by leaps and bounds. I may have a lot to teach but equally exciting for me is what I learn. And when the training is complete, we’ve expanded the family of people committed to courtesy. I look at the pictures of the graduate trainees with pride and hope for them great success in their endeavors. For every one of them there is the potential of a gang of children and youth who will be exposed to the way of civility and graciousness.

What I said two years ago still stands!

“I want to express my appreciation to all of you who have spent your time and money to follow through on your commitment. Not only will you enrich the lives of youngsters in cities and neighborhoods across this country, but you have enriched my life. For both, I say, “Thank you!”