Have you ever had someone write something horrible online that was to you, for you, or about you? You know, the sort of thing that most people (either out of a sense of politeness or sheer cowardice) would not say to your face, but have no problem saying online, for all the world to see? Yes, we’ve all read about […]
more about: etiquette
Can u Read ths txt? do u want 2?
I got a strange text from my friend Rahel the other morning, just as Real Simple’s Be Nice on the Internet Week was getting underway. She wrote: “What or rather WHO is Scruttie?” The answer is obvious, at least to members of my family. “Scruttie” is an interchangeable —and until now, secret—nickname that we use to address each other. It’s […]
#BeNiceWeek: To Tweet or Not to Tweet?
How to behave politely on Twitter is one question Hamlet did not have to face. In retrospect, the prince of Denmark got off easy, because the only sticky social situations he had to navigate were how to deal with his father’s murderer, his mother’s adultery and his own feelings of inadequacy. But if Shakespeare’s most famous hero also had to parse […]
I’m Drowning in Work Email. What’s the Solution?
I sat down at my desk bright and early this morning, planning to post an answer to this etiquette question before any of you arrived at the office to confront an overflowing Inbox. I swear I did. But then I sneaked a quick peek at my own work email and here I am, surfacing—can it be?—nearly three hours later. It’s […]
Welcome to the Family. Say Goodbye to Your Perfume
A reader named IowaMama wrote to say her future sister-in-law is giving her headaches. Luckily, it’s not a personality clash; it’s simply a case of too much perfume. “At least two different perfumes are part of her daily grooming routine,” IowaMama wrote. “I have a very sensitive sense of smell, to the point that her beauty products make me nauseous […]
What Do You Call a Man Who Gossips About His Mother?
“Other people is the world’s most fascinating subject,” according to the author Joseph Epstein. In his new book, “Gossip,” Epstein argues that it’s human nature to tell stories about each other. He even defends gossip, for its power to uncover the truth or arm us with information we may need to know. Of course, Epstein acknowledges that gossip can be […]
Wedding Guest List Dilemma: How to Put This Nicely…
“I am planning my wedding and trying to keep it as small as possible,” wrote a reader named JackiM15. “However, we are nearing 200, yikes! … “It is going to be an evening wedding, and my fiance and I have decided to not invite children, except for out of town guests and family members,” JackiM15 added. “My question is this: […]
Dress Code: Blue Jeans or Sequins?
A New Year’s Eve party is arguably the biggest dress-up opportunity of the year. But what’s the definition of “dress up” these days? I wore jeans and a sparkly beaded top to a holiday open house two days ago — and felt pretty good about it until I read what columnist Helena Eichlin has to say here on the subject. […]
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Someone You Don’t Know. Surprise!
“Occasionally, when I invite friends to lunch or dinner, they invite another person along without speaking to me about it first,” a reader named Carrie wrote recently. “At times, I have something personal I want to share or discuss,” Carrie wrote, adding that she wonders if it is rude to invite someone else without asking. “Or is this the new […]
A Lesson for Teachers? How Not to Use Cell Phones
School districts around the country, concerned that teachers can get too cozy with students on the Internet or when communicating by cell phone, are making new rules to prohibit contact. In some places, Facebook messages are a no-no, the New York Times reported yesterday. Other school administrators have outlawed text messages – or any conversation conducted on a cell phone. Citing […]
