Continue Reading Pressure For Presents: Do you have to follow the host’s hints? Q: On an invitation to a friend’s baby shower the hostess scribbled, “Remember, Sally needs practical baby clothes.” I have another gift in…
Continue Reading Options for “Optional”: Alternatives for “black tie optional” Q: My husband and I have received two invitations that state “black tie optional.” He would prefer not to wear a tuxedo, but…
Continue Reading Plane Politeness: How to silence a seatmate Q: When I’m on a plane, I prefer to be left alone, so I don’t like it when my seatmate tries to engage…
Continue Reading No, No, After You: When two people reach the door at the same time Q: If I’m entering a building at the same time that someone is leaving, I always try to hold the door open and…
Continue Reading What’s In A Name?: Addressing how children address you Q: My friend’s children call me Mary, but I’d prefer it if they call me Mrs. Jones. At the same time, she insists…
Continue Reading Being Fashionably Late: When and where is it okay? Q: I’m always punctual, so recently, when I was invited to a dinner party that was set to begin at 8:00 P.M., I…
Continue Reading Noisy Neighbors: How to deal with an awkward situation Q: Our neighbors leave their car in their driveway overnight, just ten feet from our bedroom window. When they start the engine to…
Continue Reading Baby Bliss: When is the right time to see a newborn? Q: Please help me settle a debate with a friend. I say you should wait at least a month before visiting someone who…
Continue Reading Etiquette News Flash!: The RSVP never went out of style Q: How can we bring back the art of the RSVP? After half the people I invited to a party failed to reply,…
Continue Reading Cheese Wrangling: Eating french onion soup with class Q: Eating French onion soup is quite the challenge. I fear it’s gauche to use a knife, but how am I supposed to…
