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Do You Apply Lipstick in Public?

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I have to admit that sometimes I cringe when I see girls on the tube apply full makeup. For a start, how can they do it on such a bumpy train ride? However, truth be told, I'm not averse to touching up my lipstick during the morning commute although I'd draw the line at mascara or foundation. I have to laugh when I see girls putting on lippy in front of shop windows though!
My girl Bella US has consulted queen of etiquette Emily Post about whether this is a do or don't, but as with most questions of etiquette, it's often about the company you keep. At the dinner table would be a big no no for me, although I have a friend who says a quick touch-up, even at a business meeting, is fine as long as you don't draw attention to yourself. How about you, do you apply lipstick in public? Source

Do You Apply Lipstick in Public?

Yes, all the time

Sometimes. I'll explain in a comment

No, never

Yummy Links: From Gail Simmons to Team Rainbow

partysugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:15:12 -0800

Ever wonder what Top Chef Gail Simmons cooks at home? Here's 10 of her favorite recipes. — Food and Wine
Foodies show off their food tattoos. — Chow
Six supermarket turkeys are put to the test. — Epicurious
How to handle annoying party guests. — Lemondrop
Which roasting pan is the best for holiday cooking? — The Kitchn
Beautiful inspiration for a modern Thanksgiving dinner. — Hostess With the Mostess
Get the official Top Chef Team Rainbow shirt. — Serious Eats

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Do or Don't: Bringing Outside Food/Drink Into a Restaurant

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:30:07 -0800

Last week, New York Times critic Frank Bruni broached the question of whether it's kosher to bring outside food or drink into restaurants. I've noticed at some places — most recently at a popular neighborhood coffeehouse — that a growing number of establishments have barred customers from bringing items (such as water) inside. Bruni cited an example of a friend getting turned away from brunch at a New York diner for arriving with a Starbucks coffee in hand, and argued in favor of the establishment. "It strikes me as a measure of disrespect," he writes. What are your thoughts on the issue? Is Bruni being too extreme when he calls it disrespectful behavior?

Do or Don't: Bringing Outside Food/Drink Into a Restaurant

Do. Everyone does it at the movies, so why not?

Don't. I'd never bring food into a restaurant that was from some other establishment.

It depends on where you're going and what you're bringing.

Other — see my comments below.

Do or Don't: Putting Your Napkin on the Plate?

partysugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Yesterday DearSugar and I got into a debate about what you should do with your napkin when finished eating a meal. She said it was tacky and rude to put your napkin on the plate, but I told her I've done it before. What do you think? Is it bad manners to put your napkin on the plate when finished eating? Source

Do or Don't: Putting Your Napkin on the Plate?

Yes. DearSugar is right: it's tacky and rude.

No. If everyone is finished with the meal it's perfectly acceptable.

It depends on the restaurant and the people you're dining with.

Other — I'll share my opinions below.

Let's Dish: Have You Had a Birthday Dinner Nightmare?

YumSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:00:59 -0700

Yesterday I came across a hilarious and poignant column in Slate discussing the drawbacks of the dreaded birthday dinner. "I hereby propose that the birthday dinner go the way of the $4 cup of coffee, the liar's mortgage, and the midsize banking institution," its author proclaims.

The truthful description of his birthday dinner nightmare includes awkward small-talk, excessively-ordered appetizers and drinks, and inequity when it comes to paying the hefty tab. Not to mention that since everyone celebrates once a year, birthday dinners can be frequent and repetitive. For this reason alone, I can't say I attend every birthday dinner I get invited to, and I never hold my own.

Still, it can be nice every now and then to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. What about you? Are you a fan of the birthday dinner? Have you been subjected to your (unfair) share of disastrous birthday dinners?

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What Would You Do?

partysugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:15:46 -0700

We've all been in crazy situations, and I want to know how you handle entertaining fiascoes and bad restaurant behavior. I'll present a situation and you tell me what you would do. Here's today's scenario:

You've spent a lot of time planning a fantastic birthday party at your favorite bar. Although the party starts at 9, you made a bunch of small snacks — spiced nuts, truffled popcorn, caramelized peanuts, etc. — for your guests to enjoy with cocktails.

The snacks are prettily set up on a table near an open window that overlooks the street. The party is going fabulously when you look up to see three unidentified guests throwing your homemade goodies out the window! They are trying to hit people outside! What would you do?

To find out what I did — this very thing happened at my birthday party on Saturday night! —

Do You Prefer Traveling With Kids or Family Flocking to You?

babysugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0700

The holidays are always magical and exciting for children, but let's face it: they are downright agonizing for parents. The ever increasing cost of airfare and gas makes planning and budgeting for the holidays an added stress storm, but mapping out visits to both sides of the family can feel like a hurricane.

Do you prefer to forgo the monotony of home, pack up all your travel gear, toys and activities and head to visit family, or do you like having them come to you (after you clean every nook and cranny of the house, obviously!)?

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Do You RSVP?

partysugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:45:41 -0700

My birthday party is this Saturday night and so far, I've received only one RSVP! I sent over 40 homemade, snail-mail invitations and find it hard to believe that almost no one has called to tell me if they are or are not coming. Am I too old-fashioned? Is RSVP-ing a thing of the distant past?Source

Do You RSVP?

Yes! Always.

No, I usually forget.

I'm not invited to parties where I have to RSVP.

It depends on the party and the host/hostess.

Other — share your opinion below.

Tell Mommy: Is Having a Shower For Baby No. Two a Don't?

babysugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:00:50 -0700

I adore baby showers. From the invites, to the playful themes and games, they are a delightful way to make any expectant mom feel celebrated and honor the impending birth of a new baby. I am currently pregnant with my second child, which has sparked shower inquiries from many friends (and strangers). While I am not expecting the fancy shower this time, it's a valid quandary. Do you think having a shower for baby number two is a do or a don't?

You Asked: Should We Un-Invite Them to Our Wedding?

DearSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I got engaged last November, and our wedding is set for Oct. 18. Last March, my fiancé's company was bought out by a corporation and in early April, the entire office was shut down unexpectedly. He was out of work until July when he was hired by a small independent technology company (and by small, I mean a total of seven employees). He was having a great time for the first few months; he really enjoyed his new boss, co-workers and responsibilities. During that time, we were writing out our wedding guest list and to be friendly, we invited his new co-workers and their significant others. A few months later, he became really unhappy with the company as a whole and is at the point now where he's going to apply elsewhere. If he finds something, he may quit before the wedding. So my question is this: if he does quit before the wedding, how do we handle his current co-workers that have RSVP'd yes? Do we un-invite them? Do we tell them that we still want them there but we understand if they change their minds? I have no idea how to handle this, so any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated. — About to Wed Wendy

To see DearSugar's answer,