I get asked a lot of questions on Quora about how to simply say hello to a stranger, or how to engage in small talk. Whether at a party, a business convention or the grocery-store line, the answer is generally the same. (I've recently been listening to the audiobook of "The Art of Mingling" by Jeanne Martinet; it's so good so far that's I've gone back to listening to "Downton Abbey" play in the background while painting my house, and have bought the book. Some of what I'll say next is from what I've learned from Ms. Martinet; all of it is simple etiquette.) A moment of silence while we scowl at our parents for not teaching us etiquette by example, but by yelling at us when we erred instead. GENERAL RULES A man always rises when a woman enters or leaves a room. Let me clarify: Not when every single woman enters or leaves,but his wife, girlfriend, sister, mother, manager, anyone in his particular group--or if he's in a waiting room and his...
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Welcome to Manners Matters, a site where I'll answer your questions on etiquette and psychology and relationships and sex and grammar and some legal questions. Note: I'm not a licensed clinical psychiatrist or psychologist, nor a practicing attorney. What I do have is half a century of experience in dealing with disastrous family dynamics; terrible and good relationships; legislative and legal analysis; writing everything; thinking too much; perhaps 10,000 pages of etiquette books read; and many, many health problems. Suicidal ideations are a daily occurrence. I've also swung from being a feminist to knowing better. My political views are based on an understanding of history, psychology, government activities and economics. I've created a YouTube channel but have yet to post because frankly, I'm not a big fan of hearing myself talk. I've been answering a lot of questions on Quora about the above-listed topics. I started answering questions in earnest on Chris...