Every time I hear a journalist say "Tell me about ..." when interviewing someone on television, I get really annoyed. It seems so incredibly presumptuous, pompous and impolite to demand an answer of a guest like that. Yet it happens all over the world. Is this standard journalistic practice? What's the reasoning behind it? Anyone else feel the same way or am I being a relic? [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on May 9, 2008 - 39 answers

My Fair ... Gentleman? Please give me a crash course on being a gentleman for a date with a lady. [more inside]
posted by TimeTravelSpeed on Oct 16, 2007 - 59 answers

ModernDayEtiquetteFilter: What is the general consensus on returning calls (received on one's mobile phone) based on a missed call log vs. leaving a message? [more inside]
posted by uaudio on Aug 30, 2007 - 56 answers

Is it considered misogynous to use "the C-word" ? It had never even occured to me that it might be until my sister asked that I never use it as it was "so anti-women." At the right moment, it's SUCH a useful word, but I don't want to appear to be "anti-women", since I'm not . Is my sister's view unusual?
posted by bunglin jones on Jan 17, 2005 - 112 answers

What do you say or do when someone out of the Blue - generally a fellow user who rarely comments and so is quite new to you - suddenly e-mails for the first time saying he or she will be in town, is interested in something you could help with and would like to have a drink with you?

It's clearly a friendly invitation but how do you politely decline, without having to lie and/or appearing to be a stuffed shirt?
posted by MiguelCardoso on Oct 21, 2004 - 45 answers

i want to be polite. Is there an alternative honorific to Miss and Ma'am which is age indiscriminate? [more inside]
posted by quin on Feb 10, 2004 - 16 answers