Events & Culture Etiquette

What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do. — John Ruskin Ruskin may have said it best. We all have a story with a beginning and an end. What’s most important is what we do along the way….

It’s Sunday afternoon, and even though you can smell the chocolate chip cookies baking in the kitchen, you pray this will be your last open house. My husband and I spent a year looking at real estate, and we felt this way every Sunday. If you’re in the process of looking for a new home,…

It’s opera season, and the gloves are on, at least for opening night at the opera, the symphony, and other formal events. Here is what you need to know when wearing opera gloves (also known as evening gloves) for any occasion. • Gloves should be kept on when shaking hands (as in a reception line),…

School has long been out, the heat is on, and it’s time for parties. From hosting a family barbecue to attending a summer celebration, mind your manners for optimum summer fun. For hosts: • How should I handle an unannounced guest or guests who didn’t RSVP? Graciously! If you’re throwing a cocktail party, you’re in…

Some of the most important occasions in our life call for a toast. At weddings, birthdays, retirement parties, and other momentous occasions, a toast (a very short speech) is often expected. Some find this task daunting, but if you’re prepared, speaking in front of a group can even be enjoyable. If you don’t want to…

Christopher Columbus may be the best-known traveler who didn’t know where he was going, but many of us think nothing of flying around the globe to a land where the people and culture are foreign to us. Keep in mind that when traveling abroad, diplomacy isn’t just for diplomats! Every courtesy should be afforded to…

A receiving line is the perfect opportunity for guests and hosts to meet one another at a large event. They are only essential for groups of fifty or more, when it’s otherwise impossible for the hosts to greet everyone individually. They range from the most formal (for a high-ranking official such as a head of…

  It’s that time of year: the high school prom, one of the most anticipated nights of a teenager’s life. But it’s also a stressful time for parents. According to Carleton Kendrick, Ed.M., LCSW, of Newsforparents.org “Our biggest prom worries are the risky behaviors associated with proms, most specifically driving under the influence of alcohol…

The definition of small talk includes both light conversation and idle banter. Small talk is what people say to one another to be social. It breaks the ice. By asking general questions and giving answers, people connect. Small talk is not in-depth conversation, but rather an exchange of social niceties. A lot is written about…