Episode 529 - Family China
Your Awesome Etiquette podcast episode for the week. Plus your weekly bonus question, etiquette challenge, the Monday joke, and an etiquette extra on Halloween
On today’s show, we take your questions on inherited dishes you don’t love, going to a wedding when you don’t know the couple well, and being invited to coach your boyfriend on etiquette. For Community Members, we have a question about handling backhanded compliments. Plus, your weekly challenge, etiquette salute, and a postscript segment on Executive Manners from Letitia Baldridge.
Bonus question
Please enjoy this sample bonus question about handling backhanded compliments. This is the kind of content offered weekly with a paid subscription.
Etiquette Extra - Trick-or-Treat
The end of October is upon us, and if you have kids in your life or perhaps are just a big fan of Halloween, you might be looking forward to a particular Halloween tradition—trick-or-treating! We’ve got Good Halloween Manners—Five Tips for Trick or Treating to help keep this year’s festivities the right kind of scary.
Halloween is a fun holiday for children, but it's easy to forget basic manners when there is so much sugar fueling the excitement. Here are five manners to remember before you go trick-or-treating:
Remind your little goblin not to be greedy; one piece of candy from each house is the general rule. And saying thank you is a must.
In terms of costumes, ghoulish makeup and army fatigues are acceptable. Guns and bustiers are better left at home.
If you don't like Halloween, you don't have to participate. Either go out for the night or turn off your front lights. Parents will get the message.
If your area isn't kid-friendly, it's fine to pack up your brood and head to Grandma's neighborhood or to your best friend's block. Look up community events, many towns have organized trick-or-treat areas, times and activities.
Dumping off a carload of kids in an area where you don't know anyone or haven't been invited is definitely impolite-and possibly dangerous. Age-appropriate supervision is a must anywhere you go.
SIGNED COPIES OF OUR LATEST BOOK AND TRIVIA GAME are available from our local partner, Bridgeside Books. Get a copy to play at your next holiday gathering!
Weekly Podcast Etiquette Challenge
This week’s challenge comes straight from our friend Elizabeth Cottrel of Heartspoken, whose work encourages handwritten communication. She hosted a THINKING OF YOU week on Substack that we found inspiring. Each day was a different type of “thinking of you” reason to reach out to someone. Taking inspiration from Elizabeth, we’re challenging you to break out your stationery and write a little note to a friend or family member to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Oh my! Last night was Dan and his family's first snow of the season! Lizzie might still have some time in the valley, but winter is coming. We hope the cold doesn’t slow your enjoyment of the spookiest holiday on the calendar. Feel free to share costumes and scary holiday etiquette in the comments.
See you on Thursday.
All the best,
Lizzie and Dan
Happy Monday Joke
“Which monster loves to do the twist?”
"The boogeyman."