Questions tagged [courtesy]

Courtesy is a behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others. Whenever a courteous and respectful act or expression is used or needed.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
16 votes
4 answers
2k views

SARS-CoV2: When conflict arises over wearing masks, what should I say? [closed]

In Germany, due to the Corona pandemic, the government requires everyone to wear a mask over their mouth and nose in public when within enclosed spaces like supermarkets or public transportation. ...
hintze's user avatar
  • 269
4 votes
3 answers
547 views

Can my sense of common courtesy be considered sexism? [closed]

I usually go to work by bus and usually don't care if people enter before I do (unless I'm on a rush), so I just step aside and let people pass. Sometimes there's a lot of people, sometimes just 1 or ...
E.T.'s user avatar
  • 49
21 votes
9 answers
6k views

Offering to ride along with women when it's dark

When growing up my brother and I where taught that, when it's night, you should offer girls/women to ride along when you are on bike or on foot to prevent unsafe situations. This wasn't saying that ...
Iarwain's user avatar
  • 856
10 votes
3 answers
947 views

How can I offer priority seat to a plus sized lady that I assume is pregnant?

Firstly, please do correct me if it is not right/respectful to use the phrase ‘plus-sized’ as I am unsure of how it would be taken as, in other countries/cultures. Sometimes I face the situation and ...
Susmitha's user avatar
  • 581
36 votes
12 answers
20k views

How does one respond to statements like "It's all yours"? [closed]

There's a coffee-dispensing machine (similar in concept to a Keurig) in my apartment lobby for use by the tenants. As coffee is a popular morning beverage, occasionally I have to wait behind one or ...
dth02134's user avatar
  • 654
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

How and when to best approach a stranger about a “wardrobe malfunction?” [duplicate]

So a “wardrobe malfunction” can basically mean someone’s fly being open or someone’s dress, skirt getting bunched up in a weird way in their underpants. If I am dealing with friends, acquaintances, ...
Giacomo1968's user avatar
  • 1,398
28 votes
4 answers
9k views

How can I politely tell someone who is ineffectively holding a door open for me, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

The key word here is “ineffectively.” I have no problem with someone holding a door open for me. They hold it open, I thank them, life goes on. But something I have noticed recently is that some ...
Giacomo1968's user avatar
  • 1,398
30 votes
9 answers
12k views

Under what circumstances is it okay to not hold a door open?

So, we’ve all had a situation where someone is coming into—our out of—some place, we notice someone coming towards the doorway we are in… At what point is it safe to just let a door close an not hold ...
Giacomo1968's user avatar
  • 1,398
5 votes
1 answer
536 views

How to apologise/thank college for being flexible with accommodation?

I'm going into my 4th year of University. I lived in college-owned accommodation for the first 3 years. I balloted in January for a college-owned room for 4th year, but this summer (June) I signed a ...
freddy's user avatar
  • 53
-2 votes
2 answers
6k views

Should you inform someone their partner is cheating on them? [closed]

Let's say I know someone quite well but have never met their other half. I know he is a regular cheater in their relationship of 6 years but as far as I know, she has no idea. Should I inform her on ...
Summer's user avatar
  • 8,520
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

How can I politely make an offer on a used vehicle?

This is the first time I buy a vehicle on my own, so I have no experience in this matter. Today I will be meeting someone who is selling their motorbike. I think he is asking too much for it so I want ...
lpassadore's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Inquiring about a colleague's retirement plans without seeming to be rude?

A colleague is nearing retirement age, and you are curious as to when they will take the step and what they plan to get up to. Your intentions are not self-serving beyond the fact that you will miss ...
r m's user avatar
  • 4,346
36 votes
6 answers
25k views

How can I invite a friend but not his girlfriend?

I'm planning on having a birthday party. I'd like to invite a friend of mine, however, nobody in our group likes his girlfriend. Is there a polite way of hinting I don't want her there? Chances are ...
infinitezero's user avatar
21 votes
2 answers
6k views

What do you say to a woman who asks you to dance when you don’t want to?

Unfortunately for me, I am a guy who does not like to dance. I am bad at it (at best). So I try to shy away from circumstances where I would be asked by someone to dance. But there are times when ...
John's user avatar
  • 4,239
8 votes
5 answers
2k views

Should food containers be returned to the donor?

In the event of bereavements and health emergencies, many people are given meals by friends and more distant relatives. While there is little (or no) question as to whether objects such as casserole ...
r m's user avatar
  • 4,346
18 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are there "rules" for vaping etiquette?

In the past, it seemed generally accepted as a matter of courtesy that a smoker should ask "do you mind if I smoke?" This became more and more prescriptive as health concerns increased over the use ...
r m's user avatar
  • 4,346
12 votes
2 answers
194 views

Does a greetings card require a return in kind?

Cards are sent, especially at "holiday time" (Christmas, New Years, and Hanukkah), with varying levels of intent based on the level of relationship. While some people send such "seasonal greetings" ...
r m's user avatar
  • 4,346
19 votes
5 answers
5k views

When should I offer my seat on public transport?

In the United Kingdom, when is it appropriate to offer your seat to someone on a train or bus? Okay, if someone is in distress by standing through disability or otherwise it seems clear enough. ...
r m's user avatar
  • 4,346