Questions tagged [etiquette]

Etiquette is a set of rules or customs that control accepted behaviour in particular social groups or social situations.

Often the unwritten, but widely accepted, rules of etiquette are a very important aspect of interacting in a particular setting. Questions here should be about using proper etiquette, and whether something is (or is not) proper etiquette. Locations often include public locations, but can also include more private locations too, such as with family or friends.

Etiquette can vary greatly between cultures. What is common practice in one country may be highly offensive in another country. When answering questions tagged with make sure to pay close attention to any country or culture specific information. If you are answering from the perspective of a different culture, make sure to identify that in your answer.

This tag should also be used in reference to other tags, such as location ones () and also more specific ones such as to describe who you are with at the time. You can also use tags such as to describe the situation the asker is in.

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As a pedestrian, how to get someone to stop following you in a car?

Sorry, I just never had these situations occur until I moved into a neighborhood. Usually, we (well, my dogs) get most of our exercise in a large, unused field near my house. The people on our way and around the field know me, so it's rarely an…
anongoodnurse
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Arguing science with a passionate non-scientist?

As a physician for more than three decades and a Molecular Biologist before that, I know a lot of science and medicine (I also keep up with the literature.) I find that people hold on tightly to their beliefs about health matters, and many don't…
anongoodnurse
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Is it acceptable to violate table manners in public due to my disability?

I have a tremor, which varies in intensity. I recently ordered a sandwich at a restaurant, which was pretty easy to eat, but I gave up trying to eat the salad, because I was unable to do so with a fork. If I had been at home, I would have used my…
San Franciscan
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Complimenting a female co-worker without coming across as flirting?

I am asking this question for a friend. My friend is straight, male, and married to a woman and loyal to his wife. He is a somewhat socially awkward person. He works in an office of software engineers. The other day, my friend was telling me one of…
ElizB
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How can I give out my telephone number to my neighbors without implying anything?

I have recently purchased a new home and have moved into a neighborhood. I would like to introduce myself to my immediate neighbors and offer them my telephone number in case there is an emergency or if they have a complaint they can contact me…
user15922
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What is the etiquette for asking a dog owner before I pet their dog?

Dogs are what I see mostly out on my day to day activities and I see some tied up outside shops and I'll pet them, I'll also pet some in passing i.e. just stroking them as I walk past and sometimes as they're walking past me (if they come over…
Bradley Wilson
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Is it rude to ask tourists where they are from?

“So… Where are you from?” It's normal small talk for us, most Indians; and only general whereabouts is expected. In my tours in India, I've met some foreigners along the way, usually western. I welcome them, offer assistance, and often have small…
NVZ
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How to quickly end a date?

I use a dating app to go on dates with people I have never seen in person. Usually we spend 1-2 hours to go for some coffee etc. I've had dates turn up that e.g. don't look like their picture/description, and spend the 1-2 hours having coffee and…
user1209304
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How can I decline someone's business card with tact?

I am an engineer in a technical field, but I work regularly with sales, and I am often given business cards by vendors or customers at work. I know that I will never use them, and I almost always immediately throw them away. We already have their…
Greg Schmit
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How do I deal with people who can't deal with local payment customs?

I live in Japan. Japan still has a very cash oriented society especially when it comes to restaurants. Often someone will visit from out of town and will expect to be able to (1) pay with a credit card and (2) pay only their portion on their card.…
gman
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How do I treat my friends to something without it being awkward?

There are some things I love doing with my friends that I know they cannot afford to do on a regular basis. In particular, I love going out for a big sushi dinner every once in a while. This type of meal is often cost prohibitive for my "big eater"…
Arthas
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Who should identify themself first on the phone: the caller or the person called?

This may be a generational thing. I was taught that the caller always identified himself first. The person answering says "hello", to establish that contact has been made, but is under no obligation to identify herself. She is at home, minding her…
user1760
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My cousin doesn't know that I know he received money that belongs to me - how do I approach him about receiving the money?

My cousin was supposed to receive money from a sale, keep a percentage and then send the rest over to me. I found out that not only did he receive more money from the sale of my item ($550 instead of the expected $350), but that he received the…
Andres Alvarez
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How to deal with someone secretly taking pictures of you

As the title says: How should you react if you notice someone taking pictures of you without your consent? Background: It happened to me yesterday on the bus that a woman, of about my age, sat across to me. At one point her cell phone flash light…
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How do I respond when someone answers 'Yes' when I ask "Would anyone like the last [Item]?"?

So today at work we had a tray of doughnuts, my colleague called out to the office, "I'm going to have the last one unless anyone else would like it?". At this point, I realised that I don't think I've ever heard anyone respond saying that they…
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