Questions tagged [etiquette]
Etiquette is a set of rules or customs that control accepted behaviour in particular social groups or social situations.
233
questions
4
votes
1answer
499 views
How do I tactfully ask an ex-supervisor to approve a reference letter that I have drafted without changing anything in the main body?
I am currently in the process of my immigration application, and I need employment reference letters from all my previous employers.
I worked at a job for 20 months. It's been 5 years since I left. I ...
0
votes
2answers
398 views
What is the maximum interaction where saying goodbye is unnecessary in the US?
Often when you meet people on the street you may opt to say "Hi" and then be on your way. To my understanding this is not considered a rude behavior. It is also common to greet someone have ...
0
votes
1answer
191 views
How to start the interaction in one online meeting in a friendly manner?
I have always had some issues to start interactions. Things usually go smoother when the other person starts talking. But there are times I need to start the interaction and I often end up doing it in ...
20
votes
4answers
5k views
Does the food or drink item brought to a potluck need to be large enough to serve everyone?
Tomorrow I'll be going to a potluck that will be attended by around 20 people. I'm not good at cooking, so I'm planning on bringing something from a bakery.
What is the etiquette with regards to the ...
2
votes
2answers
445 views
How to give a gift that was declined on the basis of welfare of the gifting party without being rude?
I am attending the wedding of a very close family member soon (45 days).
This family member and their fiancé need new phones, their current one doesn't seem to last 30 minutes of use with a full ...
4
votes
1answer
552 views
I have a co-worker from India, who has lost several family members to covid. How is it most appropriate to express condoleances?
I am an academic in a US university. My co-worker is a more junior academic who grew up in India and has family in New Delhi. Today I learned that he has lost several family members (uncles, aunts, ...
2
votes
2answers
298 views
What is the proper etiquette for when someone you're not very close with is dealing with a terminally ill family member?
I'm currently enrolled in graduate school. I've been having a lot of trouble getting in touch with my advisor recently. He finally responded with apologies that he has been dealing with a terminally ...
3
votes
1answer
393 views
How many "bise" (kisses) should I give?
Context
Let's assume we are in a COVID-free environment.
In France, depending on where you are, we give different amounts of "bises" (kisses on the cheek) in greeting.
For example, we give ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
What's the etiquette for addressing a friend's partner or family in a greeting card?
I'm sending holiday greeting cards for the first time to friends, among whom some live with their partners (unmarried). I am not friends with their partners but consider myself on good terms with them,...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the proper etiquette with regards to reciprocating Thanksgiving dinner invitations?
A little bit of background: I am an international graduate student at a university in the US. A domestic friend invited me to his apartment to celebrate Thanksgiving Day and we had a great time on ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it customary in the US not to say "bye" after a phone call? [closed]
I am French and we end our phone conversations with the equivalent of a "bye".
I noticed however that in most of the US movies or TV series (especially the police/action ones), the callers ...
2
votes
1answer
592 views
Best way to respond to continue possible friendship
I am taking an online course. Two days ago, the instructor organized a meeting of all the students. I liked one of them – he is senior to me, and seems like a nice sort of person, friendly-like – and ...
0
votes
1answer
466 views
How to address a Chinese co-worker?
Question similar to How to address a Korean co-worker?
When interacting in direct chat messages in English with co-workers (software developers like me) from Chinese offices ; is it rude to address ...
2
votes
1answer
523 views
How to address a Korean co-worker?
My current employer is a global software company with offices in several continents. The company tries to maintain a culture of conviviality.
Our main communication medium is text chat in English ; ...
10
votes
1answer
633 views
How to respond to a particular aspect of Indian culture?
In my line of work, I spend lots of time meeting people from various companies. Often, especially when the companies are tech companies, my counterpart will be Indian. One useful skill in working with ...
3
votes
1answer
603 views
Buying an expensive item from an acquaintance -- making an offer
I want to buy an item from an acquaintance---we work in the same field roughly and have hung out a few times, I might refer to them as a friend loosely. The list price at a local shop is $1,050 pre-...
0
votes
1answer
451 views
Resolve frequent conflicts between a group of friends due to poor etiquette
My friends and I are in our mid twenties and have a small friendship group of around 6-7 of us. We have been friends since school, so for around 15 years.
More and more I have noticed scenarios where ...
1
vote
1answer
582 views
I accidentally mentioned my hourly salary to my hairdresser, is that bad? [closed]
During small talk with my hairdresser I was talking about an upcoming job interview (which was the reason I went to the hairdresser), and then I accidentally mentioned what I was going to earn per ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Who is expected to pay for birthday trip accommodations? [closed]
So I asked my friends to go to Vegas for my birthday, am I expected to pay for all of their rooms? It would be around 3 rooms I would have to pay for. I am the one planning it and I did invite them.
2
votes
2answers
211 views
How to be persistent but not annoying when dealing with property manager
I'm trying to get my property manager to move me (total household = me + minor child) from a 1 bedroom unit to a 2 bedroom unit. I actually thought this would be a simple request but it's not ...
3
votes
2answers
318 views
Is "I'm sorry" appropriate when offering condolence?
I think it's conventional to say "I'm sorry" when offering condolence -- for example, "I'm sorry to hear your mum died", or, "I was sorry to hear your mum died".
Although it may be conventional I ...
4
votes
4answers
855 views
Figuring out interesting questions in friendly or romantic conversations
How can I figure out which questions are interesting and will be pleasant for the person to whom they are addressed to answer?
I am a person who has an extreme problem conveying what he wants to ...
-1
votes
1answer
453 views
Putting arm on a married woman's waist during photo [closed]
How appropriate is it as a single guy to put his arm on a married woman's waist during a photo? Does this count as a friendly gesture or inappropriate behavior?
3
votes
2answers
847 views
Confronting an Inconsiderate Co-Worker
A little background:
I am very conflict averse. I go out of my way to be friendly and accommodating. Recently I was promoted at work, but I am in a different group. I used to be in a technical ...
0
votes
2answers
337 views
How can I ask for recommendations from an acquaintance?
I used to live in city X, and I have an acquaintance Y back then that I have not contacted since I left X. I recently moved back to X (after 6 years) and have some problems at home where I will need ...
73
votes
8answers
21k views
How to quickly end a date?
I use a dating app to go on dates with people I have never seen in person. Usually we spend 1-2 hours to go for some coffee etc.
I've had dates turn up that e.g. don't look like their picture/...
18
votes
3answers
6k views
For how long after New Year's Day is it appropriate to wish people all the best for the new year?
Today is my first day back at the office after a two-week vacation, and so there's a lot of handshakes and well-wishing ('happy new year', 'best wishes') going on.
Which raised a fun discussion ...
2
votes
1answer
507 views
Etiquette for Cancelling Abroad Trip
A friend and I were looking at flights to Japan from our home city for a week or so back leading up to this year's Black Friday. Typically flights range from $1000-$1600 round trip, however during ...
35
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it appropriate to ask for the text of a eulogy?
At a funeral there is usually a eulogy by family or close friend of the deceased. This usually covers interesting details of their lives. Unfortunately, just hearing it once means you'll miss things. ...
3
votes
2answers
701 views
How to convey interest after I've declined multiple invitations?
My neighbor who lives across the hall from me in my apartment building is clearly trying to extend an olive branch of friendship. We met at a community gathering for residents a little over a month ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
How to ask people not to push in front of me at concerts?
I have some experience with concerts (mostly heavy-metal ones, but pretty sure it's the same for any genre).
And every time some people try get to the front rows either by just walking as they have a ...
19
votes
10answers
27k views
Pointing the index fingers to one another as a way to excuse oneself: is this a common gesture?
I grew up in Italy, and there is a gesture I use that I'm wondering whether is strictly Italian or is used/understood elsewhere.
It means either of:
"I know this may bother you, but I'd really ...
2
votes
2answers
548 views
Etiquette about crossing a door when someone also wants to cross from the opposite side?
Let's take the following situation:
I'm on the outside and want to go inside
Someone is inside and want to go outside
The door is open (one of us is holding it)
There isn't enough room for both of ...
3
votes
2answers
354 views
What is the etiquette around greetings in online communication in India?
Background
I work with people from a rather diverse set of cultures. We are spread across several cities, so most of our communication takes place on Slack.
I have several co-workers who are from ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Who pays for the date?
I am from northern Europe, but currently live in China. I was going to be a speaker at this social event at a cafe. I asked a Taiwanese woman if she would like to join me to the event (just me and her)...
5
votes
1answer
338 views
Is it acceptable to ask about visitation or memorial service for a funeral?
A family friend's wife died and they were very poor. I'm planning to call him soon, but I'm still hesitant about asking for visitation or memorial service.
The only reason I think it could be rude/...
26
votes
4answers
5k views
How many photos should I take If I'm given a camera to take a picture?
I live in a fairly touristic place and get asked to take pictures of strangers a lot. When I do this, I get a little bit self-conscious thinking if they are saying to themselves "this dude is taking ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
How do express my condolences, when I couldn't show up at the funeral?
Two days ago, one of my old relatives passed away. His family lives 900km away and due to my job, I couldn't show up at funeral. Where I live it's important to show up.
I've thought of calling his ...
1
vote
1answer
492 views
How to greet Teachers and Staffs?
I am in the final year of my Engineering degree but still find greeting my teachers difficult.
It happens whenever I am on my way to college, when I have to walk from the Hostel to Campus, which ...
39
votes
6answers
17k views
What is Soda Fountain Etiquette?
The other day I was walking with my cup to the Soda Fountain1 at a restaurant. Someone was already using the fountain, but the drink they were getting was on the far right side, while what I wanted ...
2
votes
0answers
600 views
Telling my neighbors to not blow his weedy lawn clippings onto my newly mowed lawn [closed]
I have new neighbors who are apparently not well versed in mowing their lawn, or neighborly manners.
When they first moved in, they did not have a working mower, only a very old push mower. After ...
16
votes
2answers
1k views
How to inform my family of my child's new gender identity?
As an extension to this question, my daughter was very relieved when I offered to talk to my family for her. My husband thought of having a brunch with our kids not in attendance. I thought of doing ...
11
votes
2answers
4k views
Etiquette when someone’s birthday is on the same day as the funeral of one of their loved ones
Bob’s grandmother passed away last week. Her funeral is today. It is also Bob’s birthday today. I am attending the funeral. Obviously, I offer him condolences, but do I wish him a happy birthday too? ...
7
votes
1answer
628 views
How can I greet people when I encounter someone searching for bottles in trash cans?
Often, when I bring out trash, I see homeless people (maybe not all of them are homeless, I'm not sure) searching for plastic bottles and other things in trash cans. Usually I greet neighbors and ...
12
votes
2answers
3k views
Happy Juneteenth?
I recently learned about Juneteenth. For anyone not familiar:
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas ...
-2
votes
1answer
2k views
Why is it considered rude to burp in public? [closed]
Why is it considered rude to burp in public? It's largely involuntary and better for one's health than holding all that gas in.
14
votes
2answers
5k views
How to decline a wedding invitation from a friend I haven't seen in years?
Three years back somebody of my group of friends got a girlfriend. Ever since he got together with her, me and the other friends of the same group did not hear from him again, despite our efforts to ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I socialise with a guy in the gym and in my hostel that I want to become friends with?
I am a 20 year old male living in India. Most probably, I am bi, but I am not out yet. My problem is a mixture of shyness, attraction, and confusion.
So I live in a college in a hostel (hall) of 400 ...
3
votes
3answers
697 views
What is the proper workplace etiquette for saying goodbye to a higher ranking coworker that you almost never interact with?
One of my colleagues is quitting his job and our supervisor has invited us to his adieu at a nearby restaurant. I cannot go there but would like to be polite enough to say goodbye to him.
We were ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
My neighbour threatened to kill my cat. How to apologize and make sure he doesn't hurt my pets?
My old cat goes into the yard with me while I water (I don't leave him outside otherwise). Apparently he has managed to scale a 6ft fence and go into the neighbours yard, because I had a fairly ...
