This week, I’ve pulled out something completely frivolous. Let’s just say it’s in the spirit of getting back to normal. This is from Manners for Millions, which was penned by Sophie C. Hadida, who instructs her readers in the introduction to “take notes upon the points which reveal to you your own shortcomings.” While you’re doing […]
Month: August 2010
Fingers ~ Chicken ~ Good?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Can I eat chicken with my fingers? Signed, Cat A Dear Cat: I’m glad you brought up this important topic. It’s about time for a little review on dinner etiquette and the proper use of forks, knives, and other utensils. Shall we dig in? 1897: Dinner-Parties As little noise as possible. […]
A Quick Lesson in Table Manners
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Please tell me ~ have simple table manners like holding cutlery properly and keeping elbows off the dining table gone out of fashion? Signed, Nicole A Dear Nicole: I don’t know about you, but table manners in my house have only improved with the advent of the TV. When leaning back […]
Games and Sports
I’ve never been much of a sports person. It could have something to do with my life as a band geek, or perhaps a desire to avoid confrontation and pain. In any case, I was invited to a Super Bowl party this weekend and decided to brush up on the subject in order to get […]
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, […]