As we creep toward the holiday season, it is wise to think about how to act when we are guests in the homes of our friends and relatives. These tips are also handy for visiting those “special” boys and girls in our lives. 1963: When You Are A Week-end Guest Only when the boy lives […]
Tag: 1960s
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. […]
Tea, Anyone?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: What can you tell me about the proper way to serve tea? If this is too general, would you kindly address afternoon tea service in the home? Still too general? Perhaps you might look at the question of accompanying food service (e.g., pickled jellyfish, toast points, hot buttered brioche &c.). With […]
May I Still Wear Velvet?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: When is the last possible date that wearing velvet is acceptable? Signed, Desperate for an answer A Dear Desperate: This question just came in, and since it was marked “desperate,” as well as being a timely subject matter (thank goodness Spring is here!) I decided to answer it right away. Though […]
Must I Wait to Wear My White Shoes?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Please help, I’m in a quandary! I just bought a $200 pair of white shoes at a Labor Day sale. Do I have to wait until Memorial Day to wear them?? Signed, Blanche A. LaMode A Dear Blanche: $200! I’m not sure you got such a bargain. Nevertheless, I have found […]
Same-Sex Etiquette: The Same?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: One of the difficulties of same-sex relationships is figuring out the etiquette of dating. Do I open the door or does she? Do I offer to pay half the check, even if she has asked me out to dinner? Who decides when it is time for the end of the evening […]
So So So So Sorry
Q Dear Miss Abigail: My uncle died last week and I just sent a sympathy card to his daughter. His daughter has two children (age 14 and 16) and I noted in the sympathy card that they were very lucky to have had such a great grandfather. However, I incorrectly called her children Amy and […]
Répondez s’il vous Pretty Please
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I recently sent invitations for a birthday party and indicated R.S.V.P., but no one has replied. Do they think it means regrets only? I thought R.S.V.P. meant to please reply. Can you tell me what it really means? Signed, Cindy A Dear Cindy: You are correct, my dear. Your so-called friends, […]
Is it Forward for a Girl to Call a Boy?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Is it forward for a girl to call a boy on the telephone just for the sake of conversation? Signed, Jon A Dear Jon: The results are in, and it appears that us girls should call you boys only if there is a dire emergency. Well, maybe it isn’t that severe, […]
How Do I Deal with Pesky Neighbors?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: You rock my web-world! Right on about the annoying marriage question ~ what a drag to be denied respect just because one’s status is single. My problem is that I live in small apartment building in close proximity to my neighbors. I don’t find any of them personally repugnant; however, I […]