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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1answer
111 views
How should I react: Pay my part of the fee or not? [on hold]
Background
I am living in a country where we have to pay a monthly fee for television and radio usage. Even if we do not own such devices, every apartment has to pay that monthly fee. The amount is ...
1
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3answers
475 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 ...
0
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1answer
169 views
Is it rude to pay someone for a gift you received? [closed]
If I receive a gift from a friend, with a value of around $60. Is it rude if I then insist on paying them back the $60?
3
votes
1answer
397 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
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5answers
852 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 ...
1
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1answer
435 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
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4answers
196 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 ...
3
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4answers
598 views
How many time should you try to call someone if the other person is not answering? [on hold]
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
713 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 ...
18
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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
929 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
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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
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1answer
237 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
665 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
698 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
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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
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0answers
140 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
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10answers
7k 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
783 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
600 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
589 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
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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
197 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
399 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 ...
119
votes
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 ...
91
votes
11answers
28k 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
14k 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
226 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
792 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 ...
3
votes
0answers
473 views
What is the etiquette about how/when to Stop Conversation with other matches when dating online? [closed]
I don't believe this question or an answer is specific to OKCupid, but that's the particular platform I have been using in case there are any answers/advice that is specific to that site.
In OKCupid ...
0
votes
1answer
405 views
On a date, if I give a woman flowers, what does she do with them? [closed]
On a date, I'd like to give a woman flowers as a little present. What's the best thing for her to do with them? I mean, if I imagine to be a woman getting flowers, I'd feel real bad throwing them away ...
7
votes
2answers
344 views
What are some good strategies for interrupting coworkers with more important information?
I work in a facility with a large manufacturing plant and a large number of engineers, lab techs, and manufacturing personnel. Because of the nature of the equipment we produce and the documentation ...
2
votes
4answers
700 views
How to keep passengers off the phone
I am often the driver for friends and family whenever we travel, whether short or long distances. This is mostly due to the fact that I have the best track record, reflexes, judgement, etc. on the ...
-2
votes
1answer
455 views
Why do people cross their arms when I talk? [closed]
About 25% of the time I have a conversation with people, they begin to cross their arms or legs halfway through. I know that arm crossing can be a sign of defensiveness (or they're just cold), but ...
8
votes
0answers
552 views
Duties of a “Plus One” [closed]
A long time platonic friend is going to a wedding in a few weeks and has invited me as her plus one. She is buying the wedding gift and saying it is from both of us. I'll be transporting her to and ...
3
votes
1answer
311 views
How to appreciate someone who is showing interest towards me? [closed]
I like a person on linkedin. He is a information security veteran and very knowledgable and famous person. When I reach out to him, he was very eager and generous towards me. I wish I could say him ...
2
votes
3answers
260 views
Appropriate wait time before re-sending RSVP request? [closed]
My teenage son has sent out an e-vite (online invitation service) for his birthday party at a one of those bowling/laser tag/multi-activity places. He’s extremely excited about the event, but ...
3
votes
1answer
400 views
Grocery store line etiquette [closed]
Consider the following situation at the grocery store, on a normal day (i.e., not including out-of-the-ordinary cases like Black Friday) in a medium to large town (i.e., where almost no one will know ...
9
votes
4answers
796 views
Does the way that someone signs an email change how I should address them?
Imagine you write an email to a professor (or, to avoid academic specifics, councillor) Joseph Doe whom you never met personally before:
Dear Professor (Councillor) Doe,
blah-blah-blah
...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
What's the proper etiquette to be relocated from table at a restaurant?
Context
I was at a restaurant yesterday and one person on the table next to us was so loud that they sounded as if sat right at our own table, an annoying companion you could say.
Regularly, loud ...
23
votes
4answers
6k views
Etiquette for a person who has already queued once
I was at the front of a queue of 5 or 6 people waiting for train tickets, at a station in London, England. It was a similar length when I joined, and had taken about 10 minutes to reach the front.
A ...
66
votes
13answers
22k views
How can I decline someone's business card with tact?
I am an engineer in a technical field, but I work regularly with sales, and I am often given business cards by vendors or customers at work. I know that I will never use them, and I almost always ...
4
votes
2answers
747 views
What is the proper etiquette for making ones presence known non-verbally?
Years of dedicated martial arts training has resulted in a condition where my footfalls are nearly silent. This has led to some IPS problems. Specifically:
People often jump when I "appear" in the ...
