Confused about how much to tip when you have your meal delivered or when you pick up something to-go on the way home? Follow these tipping etiquette rules: Takeout: When you’re the one picking up your food, tipping isn’t necessary unless the restaurant has gone above and beyond with your order. Delivery: Keep in mind that even if they charge […]
more about: etiquette
I’m So Happy You Invited Me…Unless It’s a Secret Insult!
“I moved my retired parents into my home with me,” a reader named Jeffrey25 wrote recently. Now, however, his cousin has sent a wedding invitation — in an envelope addressed to his parents that demotes him to the status of tag-along guest: “Mrs. and Mrs. Smith and Family.” Should Jeffrey25 feel offended? “Does this seem a little odd? Should I […]
Sorry, But I Don’t Want My Kids Playing With Yours
This week’s reader dilemma: “How do you politely communicate that you are not interested in play dates with a persistent neighbor with unruly kids?” asks piper002. “Our children are very different in both temperament and age,” writes piper002, “and I don’t want to force my kids into a situation they don’t want to participate in.” Don’t worry, piper002, you can’t […]
My Best Friend and Her Husband…And Her Lover
This week’s etiquette dilemma comes from a reader, simplegirl504, who wrote: “My best friend is having an affair. She says it’s the love of her life (old college flame), but won’t leave her husband because they have a 2-year-old child. She wants my husband and me to socialize with the new guy and accept them as a couple, but keep […]
Shhhh! Can You Lower Your Voice?
This week’s etiquette question comes from a reader named julieannag, who is tired of hearing other people’s loud conversations on the commuter bus. “I commute to and from work daily on an hour long bus ride,” julieannag wrote. “Many passengers board and immediately start making numerous loud cell phone calls. Other passengers are eager to have lively conversations with the […]
A Reader Asks: If Mother-in-Law Chain Smokes, Will Exposure Harm My Baby?
“My mother-in-law is a chain smoker. My husband and I have always put up with it. But now we have a baby.” This week’s etiquette question comes from Quidditchgirl, who writes: “My in-laws live 3,000 miles away, so we don’t see them that often, but we are planning to visit later this year. It will be expected that we’ll stay […]
Glad You’re Here! Now, Leave (yawn)
The other night, when my husband got home from work at 8 p.m. (new job at a startup company), he was surprised to see the table set for seven people. “Don’t you remember?” I asked. “I invited Ted and Amy and Rahel and Greg and Emlen over for dinner.”Before he could answer, the doorbell rang. It was the next-door neighbors […]
With Out-of-Town Visitors, Is It My Treat? Or Yours?
“Coming to Visit” was the subject line on an email I got a few weeks ago. Some out-of-town friends were traveling to New York City and staying in a hotel near my apartment. My friends’ children — a law student and a film maker — were in town too, as well as their daughter’s boyfriend. I invited everyone to my […]
