Questions tagged [etiquette]
Etiquette is a set of rules or customs that control accepted behaviour in particular social groups or social situations.
1
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3answers
491 views
Sit opposite or along-side on a 4-seater table on a date? [on hold]
Sometimes I'll be seated at a 4 person table when I visit a restaurant with one other person. When on a first romantic date with someone, what is the etiquette as to whether I should sit beside them ...
5
votes
4answers
550 views
What is the proper etiquette for sharing menu items at a restaurant?
When I dine at a nice restaurant (not fast food), I frequently "collaborate" with another in my party so that between the two of us we can order two different items from the menu and then we each the ...
2
votes
3answers
722 views
Group Date Split Check
My wife and I would like to ask another couple to a group date at a local restaurant. I'm fine with this, but I'm unsure as to whether a "group date" implies that the check will be split between the ...
4
votes
4answers
704 views
How to decline food without sounding picky
My spouse has food sensitivities to things my parents frequently cook including tomatoes and nuts. These sensitivities don't put them into shock, but do cause sensations of pain and discomfort. In a ...
6
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3answers
542 views
How to politely decline an equipment rent request?
Recently, my acquaintance asked me to do him a favor. He wants to borrow my ski googles for a week-end (2 days).
I don't really want to lend them to him, because we are not close at all, furthermore ...
0
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0answers
40 views
Proper etiquette when walking at night to not scare people [duplicate]
When walking around at night, I feel like some other people walking around may be worried. Everyone who knows me knows there is no need for worry, but my stature could make me look threatening to a ...
4
votes
3answers
501 views
How do I tell the waiter that I want each course as soon as it's ready?
Sometimes when eating out, I'll be asked by the wait staff "Do you want to have the starter first or both courses at the same time?".
I actually just want each food item to be brought as soon as it's ...
2
votes
3answers
363 views
How can I discuss beer without sounding like a snob?
I like beer. I like drinking it, discovering it, and I just recently started brewing it. Needless to say, one of my common topics of conversation is beer (of course there are plenty more, and beer is ...
15
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2answers
451 views
How can I offer to take care of the dog of a stranger when he/she is not home?
I live in an apartment building and I can often hear a dog whining in the apartment above mine, presumably because the owner is not home. The noise is only a slight bother, I more so feel bad for the ...
3
votes
3answers
509 views
Etiquette about signing card when coworker leaves
Let's assume that you are working somewhere, a co-worker of yours leaves and someone takes the initiative to buy a "best wishes" card for people to sign.
Is there a specific etiquette regarding who ...
7
votes
3answers
863 views
How to reply to unknown texter?
Occasionally I receive a text from an unrecognized number. From the content of the text, the sender probably expects me to recognize their number. How can I reply politely that I have no idea who they ...
7
votes
2answers
503 views
Handshake Etiquette when wearing a Bandaid
How should one behave in situations that require a handshake but are wearing a bandaid on their hand or one of their fingers?
Many people will find it unhygienic or at least unpleasant to touch a ...
3
votes
1answer
176 views
Etiquette of sending a “thank you” message to the host after attending a house party? [closed]
I was recently invited to my friend's house for lunch on a Sunday. We spent the afternoon together as well. I wonder if in western culture it is necessary to call up the next day and say something ...
3
votes
1answer
228 views
What is a polite way to apologize when sneezing frequently at the office? [closed]
I have allergies and I sneeze a lot (at least twice a day and could be even 20 times a day)
Does etiquette demand that I say "excuse me/sorry" after every time I sneeze, given the fact that it ...
7
votes
2answers
348 views
Is it better to ask parents of a kid if they are OK with a gift I buy for their child?
I don't come from a western culture and I am not sure what the norms of western culture are.
In western countries, when you plan on buying a gift for a kid who is not yours, do you consult with ...
-4
votes
1answer
319 views
Do people have a right not to be looked at? [closed]
I've got into some trouble in the past for inadvertently staring at people in public. I certainly don't intend to annoy the people I'm looking at and usually don't even realize that I'm staring until ...
0
votes
3answers
558 views
Rude behavior in canteen
In our work place there are around 1100 employees. Majority of them collectively gather in factory canteen during break and take their lunch.This canteen consists of a big hall with hundreds of ...
3
votes
1answer
417 views
Refusing food from a neighbour?
I have a very good relationship with my neighbour. She sent us dishes but none of my family member likes her dishes including me. I do not wanna say to her that "please do not send us dishes" but I ...
2
votes
5answers
890 views
How do I politely ask the staff at my gym how long it will be before I can use the shower?
I'm male, and I often work out at around the time where the staff at my gym is cleaning the showers. They aren't doing it at a specific time, so I can't plan my way out of it.
When it's female staff ...
2
votes
1answer
445 views
How to politely avoid a hand-shake with somebody who is infected by a flu virus?
In our daily life people often meet and greet with different styles and traditions, but mostly we do it by shaking our hands and it is quite normal around the globe.
But if a person who is infected ...
2
votes
4answers
206 views
What's the etiquette for greeting people in a formal letter?
I need to send a case to the French Ministry of Justice for personal issues, so this is pretty much an official and important mail. I don't know who will read this mail so I can't begin the letter ...
4
votes
4answers
620 views
How many time should you try to call someone if the other person is not answering? [closed]
Last Monday, I wanted to ask a question to my cousin and decided to phone her. I called her once and she didn't answer so I decided to try a second time right after my first attempt. When she finally ...
23
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4answers
1k views
Etiquette at communion for someone who is not religious
I'm an agnostic young adult living in America
A few years ago my family and I were at a Lutheran church because my cousin was becoming a pastor. Throughout the whole ceremony I did what I saw others ...
8
votes
1answer
735 views
How can I talk to my grandfather about his public display of affections with a woman in my presence?
Our family takes turns watching over my grandpa since he's 92 and cannot live independently without assistance.
I was at my grandpa's house over lunch and "Alice" stops by which was unusual- she is ...
19
votes
4answers
2k views
Friendly Cuddling, in a non-romantic way
Might be a weird questions, but I'm really confused. A good female friend of mine (I'm male) recently suggested we should cuddle, after we talked about how both of us feel rather lonely at the moment. ...
7
votes
5answers
952 views
When should one do “la bise” in France?
As a French woman with ASD, I often find myself struggling to know if I should do "la bise" (cheek-kiss) in greeting.
In general, I don't like to do "la bise" for various reasons--one of them being ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
I have suggested my friend's toddler has down syndrome. How can I explain myself or apologies to her?
Background
We were at a party for a mutual friend and as we were standing in a circle, talking to each other, she started talking about her kids' field trip. I was semi listening, semi listening to ...
0
votes
1answer
245 views
Replying to people in social media without sounding insulting [closed]
Background
I am watching professional wrestling. In the show I am watching, the commentary team is doing a good job, but lacking in one very important area. This particular area is not something that ...
30
votes
3answers
6k views
Etiquette regarding borrowing of power tools
Based on television shows, it seems borrowing tools from neighbors is a potential minefield. I need to power wash my front and back porches and the siding of my house. My neighbor has a power washer ...
8
votes
3answers
685 views
How do I greet someone when bowing is a common greeting among the people without being disrespectful?
Muslims are only allowed to bow and prostrate to God because we consider such things acts of worship, and Islam is a very monotheistic religion.
This is a problem in Japan, where bowing is considered ...
5
votes
3answers
713 views
How should I apologise for making someone feel bad for something that wasn't their fault? [closed]
I recently met a girl on a night out when we were both quite drunk, and, having liked her I began texting her every now and then. After a few days, we decided to go out for some coffee.
Now, when we ...
24
votes
1answer
6k views
What is the etiquette for smalltalk in a workplace when the context and person is always the same?
Every single day at 3:45 PM Bob rings the doorbell at work. Every single day I answer the door and hand Bob a small amount of paperwork. Every single day there is about 10 seconds as Bob flips through ...
3
votes
0answers
143 views
How to Ask a Muslim if He Adheres to strict Halal tradition [duplicate]
I would like to invite a Muslim friend and his family over for dinner and want to know how to casually inquire if they are strict Halal when it comes to food so that we can make the appropriate ...
40
votes
10answers
8k views
What is the etiquette for asking whether someone has a special diet
Is there an etiquette for asking if there are certain things a person does not want or cannot eat? If I cook for a group of people, is it on them to tell me about it, or do I ask them? If it's on me ...
8
votes
1answer
800 views
How do I let someone from a different culture know that they are doing something rude?
I'm a client paying for my take-out at a small authentic restaurant and quite pregnant. The female asian clerk is laying it on thick with:
"Are you sure there is just one in there?
= Yup! Just ...
14
votes
7answers
2k views
Accidental queue jumpers refuse to believe their mistake
I was queuing at a café when two older men cut the queue ahead of me. I believe it was a genuine mistake - the room was cramped with people, and a space appeared when a woman missed that the queue was ...
4
votes
3answers
607 views
Is there a way to ask a person to not ask so many questions without coming across as rude?
My aunt asks a lot of questions, some of which come across as invasive or non-constructive. One example is we were planning to meet at a mutual family members house and she kept asking me questions ...
3
votes
2answers
614 views
Do I need to tip in a restaurant that has both a waiter and a cashier?
Restaurant setup:
In Canada, meals under $10 a person. Usually smallish Asian, Pizza or Fish and Chips type of restaurants.
Sit down, grab your own menu from the table.
Waiter shows up to take the ...
20
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it OK to engage in strangers' conversation during a break in a lecture?
I was recently on an public meeting with 2 famous journalists. As it's usual, firstly there was an organized discussion lead by the host, after which there was a space for questions from the audience. ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I prevent people from touching my laptop screen with their finger?
Because of my work, I often bring my laptop with me to show stuff to other people. The problem is that a lot of people end up touching my screen to point to things on it. One developer I worked with ...
23
votes
5answers
9k views
Etiquette when riding a taxi in Germany?
So I just recently rode a taxi again in Germany and I was wondering about the proper etiquette if there is one. I rode a total of like 3 taxi in my life and I never was sure on how to behave (I always ...
0
votes
1answer
198 views
Giving a lot of money to someone as a donation [closed]
Is it bad etiquette to give someone about $2000 dollars just as a donation to help someone after one lost his or her job or crashed his or her car?
Maybe the receiver thinks that you think they can't ...
1
vote
2answers
402 views
Dining etiquette [closed]
When someone else is giving me a treat, I’d prefer to keep quiet if the food is not delectable, as complaining might sour the atmosphere, or hurt his or her feelings.
So how should one respond if ...
1
vote
3answers
245 views
Asking dad to be more flexibile with his timing or to communicate it better [closed]
I find a lot of stress takes place regarding the logistics behind meeting with my dad. A typical example just happened:
I was just stepping out the door and I check my phone and see a message from my ...
120
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14answers
23k views
Is it acceptable to violate table manners in public due to my disability?
I have a tremor, which varies in intensity. I recently ordered a sandwich at a restaurant, which was pretty easy to eat, but I gave up trying to eat the salad, because I was unable to do so with a ...
90
votes
11answers
29k views
Complimenting a female co-worker without coming across as flirting?
I am asking this question for a friend. My friend is straight, male, and married to a woman and loyal to his wife. He is a somewhat socially awkward person.
He works in an office of software ...
22
votes
2answers
5k views
Offering free food to random people as a kind gesture, without being condescending or strange
I recently watched a YouTube video of a person who was handing out free food to random people - donuts, iced coffees, etc. - and so, inspired by this, I bought an ice cream bar last night for a ...
31
votes
13answers
16k views
Is adding “let me know if anything is unclear” to an e-mail really necessary or is it redundant?
(Note that I originally asked this question on the English Language Stack Exchange and was told that it belonged here (Interpersonal Stack Exchange), so I removed it from the EL SE and manually moved ...
2
votes
1answer
227 views
How do I tactfully ask for my hotel room to be cleaned more thoroughly? [closed]
I am doing some temporary work for a few months and the company is paying for my housing in a nearby hotel. The room comes with typical housekeeping service to clean the sheets, bathroom, etc. I have ...
3
votes
3answers
861 views
How do I respond to someone saying “thanks for waiting” after a long wait I wasn't okay with? [closed]
Recently, I was in a line at the supermarket where the person ahead of me took nearly 10 minutes to resolve a payment issue with their order (usually, payment takes 30 seconds to a minute). When that ...
