Etiquette

Emily Post, whose books on manners have long been setting the etiquette standard, once lamented about the "flagrant disregard of old-fashioned convention" for sending and replying to formal...

If, in 1922, Emily Post was already lamenting the "flagrant disregard of old-fashioned convention" for sending and replying to formal invitations, what would she think today? Though fewer and...

Weddings and other formal events require those invited to RSVP. It is proper etiquette to respond quickly, whether you are accepting the invitation or not. Some invitations include printed...

When inviting a guest to an event, especially if it is a formal affair such as a wedding, it can be acceptable to address what type of attire one should wear. If clothing is not mentioned in the...

Does the fork go on the left or the right? I have two forks at my place; which do I use first? In our casual world, the thought of setting a proper table seems archaic. However, there are...

Knowing how to conduct yourself at a formal or semi-formal dinner could someday be very important to you or your career. There are very easy rules to remember that will let you fit right in...

Every detail of a wedding during each step of the process has its own set of rules and proper etiquette guidelines. The rehearsal dinner invitations are no different. The person, or couple,...

When planning a formal event, whether it's a bar mitzvah, wedding or anniversary party, invitations are the first step. Unless the event is extremely last minute or very casual, it is not...

The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is right around the corner and it is important to make sure you have an appropriate outfit for this occasion. As a guest it is hard to know the exact protocol for...

Whatever your correspondence, the first thing your recipient will see is the envelope. It's your introduction to the contents of your letter, card or invitation. Just as you wouldn't begin a...

Sending out invitations for an event can be a daunting task for some, but there are a few basic tips to follow. Stick to these guidelines and you will have a solid invitation that will help you...

Whether your invitation is to a formal or informal affair, a wedding or a pool party, how the envelope is addressed gives your guests their first impression of what to expect. Using the proper...

Whether you are hosting a formal dinner or you've been invited to one, certain etiquette should take precedence as you plan your attire. The type of formality required should be stated within the...

Deciding how to handle an invitation depends on what type it is and on the way it is extended. Invitations fall within three categories: formal, informal, or casual. The following steps describe...

Writing a letter of congratulations can be difficult, because it's hard to know just how effusive you should be. You want to be sincere, but in some cases a bubbly outburst of praise can come...

Black and White attire is formal adult evening wear. It is reserved for enchanting occasions like operas, receptions and glamorous soirees. An example is the famous masquerade ball held by Truman...

"Semi-formal" can be a frightening and confusing term for the Average Joe. Its loose description can vary depending on the time, place and type of event. However, knowing the guidelines to...

First time at a formal party? Need some tips? Or just a refresher? Whether you've been invited to a formal dinner party (complete with cocktail) with the CEO or are dining with business partners...

First time at a formal party? Need some tips? Or just a refresher? Whether you've been invited to a formal dinner party (complete with cocktail) with the CEO or are dining with business partners...

A cotillion is a formal ball, often associated with presenting debutantes to society. It is also a program combining classes, parties and dance to educate young people in the social graces,...

If you are unfamiliar with cocktail parties, trying to dress for one can be very difficult. When it comes to dressing for cocktail parties, there is a lot of etiquette that is not necessarily...

Dressing for a formal event requires the appropriate etiquette for woman. Formal wear is required at weddings, garden parties and debutant balls, among other events. Formal wear for woman can...

Etiquette for invitations carries some general guidelines. Etiquette is different for different events, as well. Wedding invitation etiquette is different than graduation invitation etiquette. In...

Going out to eat is an enjoyable and entertaining alternative to having your dinner at home. Whether it be a casual outing or a formal gala, learning the protocol to a proper dining experience...

Formal dining may seem like an anachronism, but the pleasures of a formal dinner party are worth the extra effort. A hostess planning a formal dinner must pay attention to many details to give her...

You might be asking yourself why you need to know how to write a formal RSVP to an invitation. After all, why can’t you just make a phone call, or give that person a response the next time you run...

Fashion used to be much more strictly defined, with hard and fast rules. While the atmosphere today is more flexible, it also makes it more difficult to determine what is appropriate. This is...

Bachelor parties offer grooms-to-be a celebratory rite of passage as they transition from bachelorhood to married life. Of course, before the debauchery can begin, guests need to be invited....

The tuxedo vest is required at many formal gatherings, such as school dances, weddings and some fundraiser events. A tuxedo vest, however--just like many formal wear components--can be somewhat...

Choosing appropriate clothing for a party or reception and dance can sometimes be tricky. Because of all the different designations such as formal, white-tie, business casual or semi-formal, you...

How do you end an email? A question so simple, yet so many people are not sure what the proper email etiquette is. In the business world, ending an email professionally is just as important as...

When at a formal gathering, begin social interactions by entering the room with confidence, making eye contact and introducing yourself to others. Offer a strong handshake to other guests with...

Set a formal dinner table by placing the forks to the left, the knives to the right, the bread plate over the forks and sizing glasses from smallest to largest. Set a formal dinner table by...

Setting the table requires placing silverware in order of use from the outside to the inside, putting water and wine glasses at the top of the plate and having a center plate to be replaced with...

Setting a formal table requires the proper placement of silverware, charger, plates, soup and bread plates, and different drinking glasses. Keep the best image for a formal table setting, placing...

When setting a table for basic, informal and formal affairs, it's important to remember that the silverware should be set so that the person can work from the outside in. Adjust to additional...

A formal party invitation should include the name of the person invited and information on the occasion that's being celebrated. Put the time and location of a party in invitations with tips from...

You've probably seen advertisements, party invitations or work handbooks that say business attire is required. But what exactly does that mean? Read on to learn about all the levels of proper...

Her parents' approval of your relationship is important, especially if you are considering the possibility of marriage in the future. Here's how to ace it with her parents. Please rate and...

Our listener often looses interest in what we're saying. That's mostly because we are talking in a way which is either not attractive or catchy. Here lets help us find a way by which we learn a...

So that upcoming even says "black tie" and you're not quite sure what that means. Well your tie doesn't necessarily have to be black but you can bet it's formal.

A letter of request is what you write to ask for information from a company or an individual. A letter of request should be considered a formal letter. Close attention to spelling and grammar is...

Most people know a few basic rules of standard table etiquette. But when they are faced with a proper place setting at a formal dinner, banquet, or holiday, even the most mannered can get...

Children bring so much joy to our lives, but they also bring crying, tantrums, and messes to our more formal events. So if you've decided to have your guests leave the little ones at home for the...

The cotillion is a social dance that originated in France in the 1700's. It consisted of four couples in squares and is the inspiration of the American square dance. It was a place where young...

We spend so much time in a casual setting at home, that when we eat out in a formal environment, we might forget to use good table etiquette. Perhaps this is your first time in a real formal...

A toast is a tradition of honoring someone or something. You can raise your glass towards someone and drink or there is a process for making a formal toast. When it is your turn to give a toast...

Letters of congratulation have been a part of human history since people learned to write letters. Congratulation letters are one of many formal writing duties passed down through generations of...

In earlier simpler times, Europeans simply drank soup from the bowl and ate meat from bread trenchers with the knife and finger technique. Times have changed and not only have formal table...

A formal business letter can function in many different ways under many different settings. It can introduce a job candidate to a potential employer, summarize the key points of a meeting or...