The Etiquette Thread

[Deleted]

Re: the wedding, I'd give a card and call it a day.

Re: the post-dinner thank you note, I'd say a month sounds about right to me.

Re: nose-blowing. Ugh! I cannot take it and not just around my food either. I work in a cube and I dread the impending cold and flu season. Hearing people blow their noses literally makes me gag. I know I'm in the minority so I never actually voice my displeasure or anything... but damn! I somehow manage to make it to the bathroom to blow my nose - why can't everyone else??

[luckylexie]

I have such hate for people who don't take off their bulky backpacks on a crowded bus and just stand there in the aisle, completely oblivious to the sitting passengers they're smacking in the head. I'm a very polite and thoughtful member of society, but I have no qualms about shoving someone's backpack out of my face if I have to and making it known that s/he's totally invading my personal space. Oh, I'm so mad right now just thinking about it...

[dwanollah]

dukeofurl said:

I have nothing against old people, honest, in fact I hope to become one one day. But I want to know why a good number of them, in departments stores and other places with escalators, get to the end and STOP DEAD IN THEIR TRACKS when they get off so they can look around for the Old Folks Department or whatever. People, I can't do a moonwalk back up or down the escalator you just got off! Please keep moving.

I usually plow into 'em. Department stores, airports, museums... without fail, there's someone bumbling.

The etiquette no-no that always chaps my hide is people saying they're going to be at a party and then not showing up. Last month, we went to a friend's BBQ, and he and his wife had over 30 people RSVP "yes," so they worked their asses off getting food together, bought butt-loads of sodas and steaks and burger buns, fired up the grill... and 8 people showed up. Only one bothered to call and say he couldn't make it. One called and said he'd totally be over right after his son's ball game and then never showed.

And this happens all the time, be it a casual BBQ or a wedding. And it's rude as fuck.

[marywebgirl]

I have such hate for people who don't take off their bulky backpacks on a crowded bus and just stand there in the aisle, completely oblivious to the sitting passengers they're smacking in the head.

Then their skirts get caught on the bottom of the backpack so they flash everyone, only they don't realize it because they're so oblivious, and you get to sit back and laugh at the sweet schadenfraude.

[topher]

things people do that i find annoying

Like missing capital letters.


*runs*

[Deleted]

My mom used to drive me nuts as a kid with the card-writing, but now, to my chagrin, I find myself doing it. For example, a professor invited us students to his house for an election night party in 2004, and the next week I was the only student who brought a card (that said, "Thank you for inviting me into your lovely home.") He was like, "Damn! Tell your parents they raised you right."

[MrsCatHead]

Ugh, Wordy McWord on the subway rudeness. I also hate when people don't get up and give old people their seats. My elderly MIL was visiting and the train started before she could grab the railing (cuz NO ONE got up for her. GRRRR). She ended up in someone's lap. They just sat there and glared at her while I was trying to lift her not-so-slim-anymore body from their lap. Geez.

I also hate when people fart in closed spaces. Just inconsiderate. I admit that I'd make myself damn uncomfortable trying to hold it in just so I didn't gross out anyone else. That's just me.

[marywebgirl]

I have an etiquette dilema that I need help with: I've been invited via e-mail to a baby shower/potluck lunch at work, and the sender of the e-mail suggests we all chip in to get the mom-to-be a stroller. First of all, I don't know the person who sent the e-mail at all. I'm sure I'd recognize her if I saw her, but I don't know the name. Second, I barely know the pregnant woman. Third, I'm sort of anti-social at work. Standing around for 10 minutes eating cake for birthdays is about all I can stand and I usually spend lunch eating at my desk and reading the paper, so I really don't want to attend. Fourth, I'm not really interested in babies or kids, so if that's what the conversation is going to be, the lunch will be even worse.

Will I look like an evil ogre if I just offer to chip in on the gift but decline attending lunch?

[jennipoo]

Ugh. If it's an email invitation, I'd want ignore it altogether. However, poor etiquette is no way to respond to inbred morons. I don't think you'd look like an evil ogre at all. Chipping in on the gift is more than one should ever expect from an email invitation (not to mention you don't really know the person).

[Deleted]

Mary, I don't think you'll look like an evil ogre - claim previous lunch plans and then amscray. No one will be any wiser.