If you are anywhere near Washington, D.C. this week, you know that today, April 23, is “NATO day” ~ trillions of dignitaries and their cohorts are wandering my fair city (by limo, of course). We are so pleased to host their visit, particularly since a majority of federal workers, such as myself, were granted a […]
Author: MissAbigail
In Flight
A few friends of mine recently boarded a jet plane to Great Britain. While they are away, frolicking around the countryside, I’ve been reading a bit about travel etiquette. Here’s a snippet from a book recently acquired. I’ve got the third printing of Etiquette in Public, published in 1924 and written by one of my favorite […]
Thoughts for the Overly Sensitive Bride
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I recently got married. One of my bridesmaids did not give me a wedding gift or a wedding card to wish me and my new husband well. I am so hurt by this. Do I confront her? Signed, Polly A Dear Polly: Was this bridesmaid at your wedding? Did she stand […]
Do Bridesmaids Need to Buy Gifts?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I am a bridesmaid for a friend’s wedding. Since I’ve spend over $150 for an outfit, plus I’ll be traveling out of town to participate in the wedding, does proper etiquette require me to purchase a gift also? Signed, Pam A Dear Pam: My dear sweet Pam. I think you already […]
(One Man’s Suggested) Office Manners (for Women)
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I have an ex-boyfriend who immediately got a new girlfriend who works within my jurisdiction. His new girlfriend is my officemate. So I took revenge by forwarding their email that says “I love you”, using the guy’s email, to all of our officemates! Yeah, I knew his password. And eventually they […]
Hey Joe, Could You Please Clip Your Nails in Private?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Help! How does one gently tell a young and impressionable co-worker that clipping his fingernails in staff meetings ~ and even at his desk ~ is distressing to the rest of us? Eeewwww. Signed, Grossed out by a Guy A Dear Grossed out: Staff meetings? Yuck. Hmm . . . Perhaps […]
Don’t Whistle While You Work
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I work in a small shop and one of my coworkers whistles very loudly. Many of us have asked him to stop because we think it’s rude to expose us to the awful noise. Maybe if he sees it in print he will stop. Signed, Sam A Dear Sam: Ask, and […]
How Do I Shake Hands?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I was wondering what the proper etiquette is when a man comes up to you to shake your hand. Should you offer your hand or should he? Signed, A Shaker and a Mover A Dear Shaker: I have a few tidbits for you from Ruth Tolman’s Charm and Poise for Getting Ahead. […]
Alternatives to Waving
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Should one wave when meeting someone, or should there only be an exchange of waves at a parting? Signed, Confused A Dear Confused: Although nothing I found specifically addressing waving, the following quotes touch upon general rules for greeting others in public. They’re from a1956 book written by Frances Benton titled Complete […]
How To Cultivate an Agreeable Speech
In 1945, Emily Post’s etiquette book offers pages of advice on words, phrases, and pronunciation. Read this selection carefully, and make sure you enunciate! 1945: How To Cultivate an Agreeable Speech The often-heard expression, “You know she is a lady as soon as she opens her mouth,” is not an exaggeration. The first requirement for […]