According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids benefit from etiquette reminders because their rudeness isn't intentional.  They often don't know it's impolite to make comments about a person's age or appearance.  They might say things like, "Grannie, your face wrinkled like a witches face!"

Remarking on Someone's Appearance:  Should Total Honesty Rule?
Is it ever OK to cause other people to feel hurt if we comment negatively and out loud in front of others about their appearance?  Parents who champion "total honesty" for their children might be overlooking the cultural norm that we take responsibility for the effect of our words and behavior on others.  

In every culture, without exception, social development requires all members to be aware of the feelings of others and refrain from airing tactless, taunting remarks about people's appearance.  When commenting on someone's appearance, we want to express a positive perspective that makes them feel good about themselves.
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To help your child develop good social skills (the ones that get them noticed for all the right reasons) explain that it's better to say nothing about a person's appearance, and be a role model in teaching your children about the common courtesies of life.

What is Afternoon Tea?
In the United States, many people refer to afternoon tea as 'high tea'.  The notion that high tea is a fancy affair with champagne and cucumber sandwiches is historically incorrect.  Afternoon tea was first known as 'low tea' because it was served in the afternoon on low tables.  The light menu included both black and herbal teas. The simplest form of afternoon tea was cream tea -- a meal of tea, scones and cream.  

Afternoon tea came to be a 'ladies' social occasion in the Victorian Age when dinner began at  8 or 9 p.m.  The young Duchess of Bedford is said to have asked the cook to prepare an afternoon snack to tide her over until dinnertime.  The charming array of light foods, pastries and teas caught on, and soon became a ritual 'afternoon' tea party popular with members of elite Victorian households. 

What is High Tea?
High tea was served in working class households at 5p.m. on high tables. Foods such as steak and kidney pie, potatoes, hearty breads, and fish dishes such as pickled salmon were on the evening menu.

Afternoon Tea Today
Afternoon tea is now enjoyed by all socioeconomic groups. It can be an elaborate event or a pause in the day to share a menu of cookies and coffee or tea with a treasured friend.  The spirit of afternoon tea is found in warm, pleasant moments of conversation and connection and the event can be elaborate or simple.
International Tea Day is celebrated on May 21st.
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Despite the controversy about tipping practices in the United States, most diners tip 18-20% for wine service on the total amount of the bill, including tax.  Earlier etiquette advice to 'tip only on the food, and exclude the wine and the tax' is outdated.  Both bartenders and sommeliers consider a tip to be a customer's assessment of their job.   Most diners leave a 20% post-tax tip regardless of the price of the bottle.  A reliable guideline is to tip as if the cost of the bottle of wine were included in the bill.

Wine Service Tipping Etiquette

• Don't tip on the pre-tax amount.  Do tip on the (total) post-tax amount.
• ​Don't calculate your bill  by tipping separately for wine and food. 
• Don't tip less when the  bottle of wine costs more. 

These days, the same principles that apply to tipping should generally apply to wine service:  the cost of wine is part of the bill.  

The purpose of business dining events is to relax and enjoy the food, correct?
Not correct.  When dining or socializing in a business context, it's never about the food.  When attending business dining events, you are on the job.  The goal of business dining is to create a positive connection that will lead to a business relationship. Even in today's relaxed social climate, it remains true that promotions or negotiations have been lost due to poor table manners and lack of comportment and confidence in a business dining situation.

Check your Knowledge of Business Dining
 Yes or No:

1. First impressions count.  It's better to dress a notch above your client than a notch below them.
2. As a host of a business meal, one of the first questions your should ask your guests is how much time they have.
3. The product presentation should occur before everyone orders their meal or after dessert.
4. Regardless of gender, when your guest arrives you should open the door and let them go first, and permit them to follow the maitre'd first.
5. If you invite a potential new client for lunch, it is your responsibility to handle all the details and pay the check.

Question 3 is the only 'No' answer.
The product presentation should occur after everyone has ordered, and should last about ten minutes.

How well you succeed in getting a raise depends on your preparation, so   mentally prepare yourself to address the issue by realizing that asking for a raise is a part of your career skill set.  Asking for a raise can challenge your deeply held beliefs about money.  Some people have a deep seated fear, or even an unconscious aversion to the subject of money.  After all, conversation about money is one of our societal taboos.

Everybody Works for Money 
If you find that you really don't like to talk about money, then think of ways to develop a healthy attitude toward money and work.  For example, if you believe you are entitled to a raise out of a sense of injustice, your defensive attitude will not impress your boss.  Your first goal might be to look forward to asking for a raise for the right reasons.  Make sure you know the going rate for your job.  Asking for a salary increase for great performance on the job is always going to start with you, and not your employer.

The risks of secondhand smoke are well known, so declaring your home a no-smoke zone is socially acceptable.  These days, most smokers are accustomed to going outside to light up since most public venues are nonsmoking.  Vaping, on the other hand, can be more difficult to control, especially when people insist that vaping is smokeless,  so "it shouldn't be a problem."
According to the surgeon general, the chemical mix of aerosol, including nicotine, released by e-cigarettes have been found in secondhand aerosol.  If you don't want guests to vape in your home, gently remind them of the facts and ask them to step outdoors.