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Ask the Etiquette Expert

Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman answers your most pressing etiquette and modern manners questions on this page. We take all etiquette questions into consideration, but due to volume not all questions can be addressed. Simply fill out the contact form and we’ll do our very best to answer it here for you.

Job Interview Etiquette

July 10th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I recently landed a job at a corporation that has been on the top of my list since…

Birthday Etiquette

July 6th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, Every year I start to receive birthday cards and gifts from my family as early as one month…

Business Travel Etiquette

June 26th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I am new to my company and recently attended an out of town business meeting with some colleagues…

Father’s Day Etiquette

June 17th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, My father is 85 and unable to leave his house without requiring extensive effort to accommodate his wheelchair…

Job Interview Etiquette

June 11th, 2015 by

Hi Diane, I interviewed last Tuesday with the HR Director of a University for a position in an academic department….

Friendship Etiquette

June 4th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I recently reconnected with a high school friend and we met over lunch to catch up on each…

Business Etiquette for Late Employees

May 26th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I have an employee who is constantly late to work. On average, he arrives tardy to the office…

Client Texting Dilemma

May 15th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, With a career in sales and marketing, it’s standard to include my cell number on my business card…

Baby Shower Etiquette

May 7th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, A close friend is expecting her first child and has asked me to kindly host her baby shower….

Kentucky Derby Etiquette

April 30th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, Every year my friends and I plan at least one big trip and a few smaller outings together…

Graduation Etiquette

April 22nd, 2015 by

Dear Diane, What is the rule of thumb when it comes to exchanging gifts between graduating seniors? My daughter was recently invited to…

Business Attire Etiquette

April 17th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, What is your take on sandals with hose? Our corporate policy states that sandals are allowed in the…

Graduation Etiquette

March 31st, 2015 by

Dear Diane, What is the difference between a graduation invitation and a graduation announcement? I received a card from my…

Wedding Shower Etiquette

March 9th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, My daughter is having a small, private wedding with only a few friends and family members invited. She…

Job Interview Etiquette

March 6th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I am currently interviewing for a job with a large company and am wondering about the protocol for…

Houseguest Etiquette

March 5th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, Is it too much to ask a houseguest to clean their hair out of the drain? After their…

Dining Etiquette

February 27th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I was recently at a New York deli (visiting from a small town in Oregon) and ordered a simple…

Wedding Etiquette

February 17th, 2015 by

Dear Diane: Is it okay to exclude my friends’ husbands when sending out invitations to my daughter’s wedding? Most of…

Travel Etiquette with Friends

February 11th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, My friend and I recently took a trip, each of us bringing our one daughter. She chose the hotel…

Thank You Note Etiquette

January 6th, 2015 by

Dear Diane, I am getting married in a few months and have received several shower and early wedding presents. I…

White Tie Etiquette

December 29th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, I was invited to an event that didn’t specify the dress code clearly. What is the true definition…

Family Holiday Etiquette

December 22nd, 2014 by

Dear Diane, My son is coming home from college and is bringing his girlfriend. I still have teens in the…

Holiday Restaurant Tipping Etiquette

December 15th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, Is it customary to tip my restaurant server additional gratuity because it’s the holiday season? I’m always so…

Holiday Etiquette: Where to Stay

December 10th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, My family consists of two small children and we spend every holiday shuttling from one house to another…

Gift Giving Etiquette

December 8th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, Do I have to give a present to everyone who gives one to me? I am having trouble…

Polite Holiday Etiquette

December 4th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, My brother is bringing his new girlfriend to my home on Christmas Eve. We generally all open our…

Cyber Monday Office Etiquette

December 1st, 2014 by

Dear Diane, Today is Cyber Monday, the first day back after an extended Thanksgiving break. I can’t help but notice…

Holiday Table Setting Etiquette

November 26th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, I have a question about table settings. I am confused as to which side the soup spoon is placed…

Holiday Greeting Card Etiquette

November 24th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, I am getting ready to send out my business greeting cards in a couple of weeks and I…

Email Thank You for Job Interview

October 27th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, Should I email a thank you note after a job interview? Thank you, J

Greeting Etiquette When in a Relationship

October 14th, 2014 by

Dear Diane, I have a large group of single girlfriends and a wonderful boyfriend. We often get together for dinners…

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