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Etiquette Past vs. Present: Men Walking on the Curb Side

DearSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:30:00 -0800

I got an Emily Post's Etiquette book for Christmas this year — fitting, I know! — and while flipping through some of her old-school ideals, I thought it'd be fun to see how your real life behavior and expectations of others stand up to Miss Manners herself! One of her echoes of traditional etiquette is below. "On the street, a man traditionally walks on the curb side — a custom born of the idea that women needed to be shielded from the potential hazards posed by the passing horse-and-buggy parade."I've known men who religiously obey this unwritten rule and those that don't even know it exists. Since proper etiquette means something different to everyone, tell me, is this something you'd expect a man to do when he's with you?Source

Etiquette Past vs. Present: Men Walking on the Curb Side

Yes, I like chivalrous men.

I think it's sweet, but it's not a deal breaker if he doesn't do it.

I'm indifferent.

Yummy Links: From Toby Young to Chopped

partysugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:45:51 -0800

Get to know Toby Young, Gail Simmon's replacement judge on the second half of Top Chef 5.— Metromix New York
Eat less by making mini desserts. — The Kitchn
Start planning now for the ultimate foodie Super Bowl. — The Epi-Log
Is it OK to answer your cell phone during dinner? — Chow
Creative sipping: do it yourself wine glasses. — Hostess With the Mostess
What to do with leftover wine. — Serious Eats
Meet the cheftestants on Food Network's upcoming culinary competition, Chopped. — Eat Me Daily

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Is Filing Your Nails in Public a Do or a Don't?

bellasugar — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 06:00:41 -0800

The other day on the bus, I noticed a lady focusing all (and I mean all) of her attention to her nails. She filed them for what seemed like the entire twenty-minute ride, and I have to admit — it kind of grossed me out as the nail dust floated all around. Last year I asked you what you thought about putting on makeup in public, and most of you thought that a little touchup is OK, but doing a full-blown routine is tacky. What about filing nails? Do you think it's uncouth to groom them in public, or is it acceptable? Source

Is Filing Your Nails in Public a Do or a Don't?

It's rude — There's a time and a place for filing.

It's OK in a pinch — Chipped nails need immediate repair.

It's definitely acceptable — It's a great way to multitask.

Other — I'll tell you in the comment section below.

Mommy Dearest: Is It Okay For Tots to Pee in Public?

lilsugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:00:00 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

I was downtown shopping with my friend and her two-and-a-half year old son, who is being potty trained. We were in a communal area admiring the city's Christmas tree when he announced he was about to have an accident. My friend knew he wouldn't make it to the department store across the street (where the closest restroom was) so fearing he would soil himself, she pulled down his pants and let him pee in the shrubbery. It took me a minute to realize what she was doing, but after he was finished and we continued on our way, I told her I thought it gross to let him pee on public property. She said I'd understand once I become a mother that it was an emergency and since he was wearing underwear, it was the only option other than letting him wet his pants. What do you think?

— Timid of Tots Tinkling in Public

To read the response from Mommy Dearest,

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?

Source

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! —