Black tie, white tie; formal, semi-formal. Festive! Casual! Hitting the right note with attire can be confusing. Here are the details of how to dress appropriately for any occasion.
When and where and how much to tip: Tipping guidelines for three of the most common times tipping is expected: at restaurants, during travel, and at salons.
Even at the most casual get-togethers, we automatically assume the roles of host and guest, each with its own expectations and responsibilities. Here’s a refresher on the “party manners” we learned as children—how to make someone feel welcome in our own home and how to behave at someone else’s.
Sometimes it’s easy to write off a heartfelt thank-you note. Other times, writer’s block can set in—especially when you are staring down a large stack of them. Before you start, remember that thanking people needs to be about just that: expressing thanks.
Opening a wedding invitation is unlike opening any other piece of mail. Much care goes into addressing both the inner and outer envelopes. Several enclosures usually accompany the invitation itself, and there is a thoughtful order to how they are placed inside the outer envelope.
Knowing when to remove a hat is as important as wearing the right hat for the occasion. Here’s the who-what-when-where of the hat.
Electronic communication is constantly changing. Email is great for fast and effective communication, but basic rules for clarity, courtesy, and respect should still be kept in mind. While email is certainly a more informal form of communication, here are some tips for effective and civil email communication.
Address book, cup of tea and stationery at the ready, you start addressing invitations for your husband’s fortieth birthday party. All of a sudden you realize you are in a potential etiquette minefield. Jane and John are married, but she does not want to be addressed as “and Mrs. John Kelly;” Sam and Sue are … Continued
Whether you just need to remember if the fork is on the left or the right of the plate, or you'd like to know how to set a table worthy of dinner at Downton Abbey, we have a table setting guide for you.
Need an answer? Submit your tricky etiquette question to the Awesome Etiquette podcast featuring hosts Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning. Tweet and tag your question with #awesomeetiquette or submit it to awesomeetiquette@emilypost.com.
From appropriate conversation, to guidelines for smartphone use, to how to handle dinner guest’s dietary restrictions, choosing to apply the best practices of etiquette enhances every interaction.
