The rules of etiquette that have evolved over countless generations are specific, valuable, and accessible. People don’t inherit this knowledge. We do not know these rules instinctively. We have to learn them. We need to know the acceptable standards, so that we can bend them as needed. After all, every human interaction gives us three choices: we can do what’s absolutely correct. We can do what’s absolutely incorrect. Or, we can do what is absolutely appropriate, which is often somewhere in between. Common sense, respect for others, and a friendly outlook on life go a long way toward helping us have harmonious relations with others and earn us a reputation as individuals with good manners. But these estimable attributes will not cover every situation and are not absolute proof against embarrassment. And people who don’t know what nice people we are will tend to judge us, perhaps harshly, solely on our behavior.
Some of the evergreen social etiquette topics are addressed in the articles below:
- Braving the Buffet – Don’t Be Baffled
- Getting it Right When It Comes to the Right Wine
- On Dining Well – Gain Confidence at The Table
- The Art of Gift Giving
- Changing Faces – Cosmetic Surgery Dilemmas
- The Etiquette of Bereavement
- Condolence Letters
- Entertaining People In Recovery
- Table Manners Tips (for Children & Parents) [PDF]