Etiquette
We'd like to help you tackle those thorny etiquette issues that can trip you up if you're not careful. Can't attend an expensive event? We'll give you the words to decline gracefully. Trying to survive the next family gathering without getting pulled into the gossip muck? We'll keep you out of that mess. From thank-you notes that win people over to text messages that resolve conflict, we've got all the etiquette tips and strategies to keep you moving through the world with dignity.
Should You Loan Money to Family and Friends? Here's When It's OK to Say "No"
How to Deal With Phone-Distracted Friends
How to Politely Ask for a Discount or Reduced Rate
Here's How Much You Should Be Tipping for Food Delivery
Yes, You Should Be Tipping for Takeout—Here's How Much to Give
How To Handle a Moody Boss, According to Our Etiquette Experts
What Should You Do When Coworkers Exclude You? Our Etiquette Experts Share Their Advice
4 'Polite' Dressing Room Habits That Retail Workers Actually Dislike
Should You Always Split Vacation House Rental Costs Evenly? Our Etiquette Experts Sound Off
Mistakes You're Making as a Host That Your Houseguests Aren't Telling You About
6 Etiquette Tips for Splitting the Dinner Bill at Restaurants
Bath Versus Shower: Emily Hampshire Shares Her Preference and a Microbiologist Confirms Which Is Better
5 Tips for Tipping at Restaurants
Can You Use Soap on Your Cast Iron Skillet? Tabitha Brown Weighs in and a Food Industry Expert Confirms What’s Actually Okay
How to Say an (Awkward, Difficult) Financial "No"
7 Times You Should Tip in Cash—and 1 You Shouldn't
What’s the Right Way to Load a Dishwasher? Find Out Why Monica Padman and an Appliance Expert Disagree
The Ultimate Guide to Tipping Etiquette in Every Situation—and When Not to Tip
Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast? Here’s Bethenny Frankel’s Hot Take—Does a Top Dentist Agree?
How to Handle the Family Gossip, According to Michelle Buteau
Does the Person in the Middle Seat of an Airplane Get Both Armrests? Here's What Today's Craig Melvin—and a Travel Expert— Say
How to Deal with Deep-Dark Family Secrets
Should You Ask Guests to Take off Their Shoes? A Disease Prevention Specialist Tells Us the Dirty Truth
Michelle Buteau Helps You Deal With Friendship Dilemmas
Minor Issues, Major Opinions Podcast: How Often Do You Really Need to Wash Your Jeans?
Minor Issues, Major Opinions Podcast: Do You Have to Sort Your Laundry? A Textile Expert Settles the Debate
Minor Issues, Major Opinions Podcast: Is It Okay to Let a Dog Lick Your Face? An Expert from the CDC Weighs In
What Should You Say When Someone Cuts You in Line?
Minor Issues, Major Opinions Podcast: Is it Okay to Sit on Public Toilets? An Epidemiologist Gives Us the Surprising Answer
Michelle Buteau Tackles Birthday Parties, Divorce and Insensitive Questions
Minor Issues, Major Opinions Podcast: Is the 5-Second Rule Real? Bobby Berk Says Yes—With a Few Exceptions
These Are the Worst Ways to Start and End Emails, According to a New Study
Your Neighbors' Weed Habit Is Smoking You Out—What Should You Do?
Michelle Buteau Helps You Deal With Long-Term Houseguests
Minor Issues, Major Opinions Podcast: Are Top Sheets Necessary? A Dermatologist Gives us His Advice
Michelle Buteau Wants You to Tell Your Friend Their Breath Smells
Tune into Minor Issues, Major Opinions, Our Weekly Podcast That Explores the Internet's Most Debatable Hot Topics
How to Gracefully Turn Down an Invite to an Event You Can't Afford
This Is All the Money Advice You Shouldn't Take, According to Finance Experts
How to Pluralize a Last Name—Even Ones Ending in 'S'
How to Be Such an Amazing House Guest You Get Invited Back Every Time
Should You Let People Wear Shoes In Your House? We Asked a Pro
How to Write the Perfect Thank-You Note
How to Ask for a Mental Health Day
Here's Exactly How Much to Tip for a Massage (or Other Spa Treatment)
How to Confront Someone if Confrontation Is Basically Your Worst Nightmare
If You're Getting Your Nails Done, You Absolutely Need to Tip—Here's How Much
Don't Say This Two-Word Phrase at Work—and What to Say Instead
The Rudest Cities in the U.S., Ranked by Americans
4 Things to Say When Your Interviewer Asks, 'Do You Have Any Questions for Me?'—Plus 3 Things Never to Say
10 Tips for Making Small Talk Less Awkward