Social Life
Your social life is made up of all your planned encounters with family and friends. The manners in this section are the tools that you use to make these social encounters a success for everyone. It could be a formal dinner party at your cousin’s; an evening at the movies with an old friend; a date with someone you’ve met on an on-line dating service. Who do you invite? Who asks whom? Who pays for what? Do you bring a gift? And more… These interactions all have an element of planning. In large part that’s what makes them different from the day-to-day encounters we talked about in Everyday Manners. -
Hosts and Guests
( 6 Articles )
At every social occasion, we assume roles of "host" or "hostess" and "guest." Certain expectations and responsibilities go along with the successful adoption of these roles. -
Houseguests
( 4 Articles )
Inviting friends and family to stay at your home can be a wonderful experience for you and your guests if clear communication and prior planning are involved. -
Invitations and Announcements
( 5 Articles )
Sending and receiving invitations and announcements require certain actions and responses depending on the type of event or news. -
Entertaining at Home
( 4 Articles )
Creativity and common sense combine when entertaining in your home. Even the most casual dinner party, however, requires careful preparation, thoughtful execution, and courteous manners. -
Celebrations Through Life
( 12 Articles )
Life can be seen as a series of exciting celebrations including baby showers, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and retirement parties. While each occasion has roots in certain traditions, they all involve a great deal of preparation and personal consideration. -
Formal Dinners and Parties
( 2 Articles )
Although some aspects of these social affairs have evolved, strict protocol remains involved in formal dinner parties, dances, and other official events. -
Ceremonies and Religious Services
( 2 Articles )
Religious growth and maturity are commemorated throughout different faiths by several special occasions. Respectful attendance and participation are involved when you are a guest to one of these events. -
Gift Giving and Receiving
( 7 Articles )
When giving and receiving gifts, it is most important to remember that the spirit of the gift is more important than the gift itself. That said, there is an etiquette involved in choosing, presenting, and respectfully acknowledging gifts. -
Dating
( 3 Articles )
Relationships progress through the social ritual of dating, which has changed and adapted along with society. Meeting someone and building a foundation of trust is at the heart of dating, along with maintaining consideration, honesty, and respect for yourself and the person you are seeing. -
Social Networking
( 5 Articles )
A variety of social networking websites have grown in popularity on the internet, and they allow people to connect with each other in more ways than ever before. Virtual manners are a must when navigating these networks, especially because your interactions may be viewed by others.