16 No-No’s For Holiday Parties

We all want to walk into a party and have a good time. Some of us are extroverts and have no problem doing this. But, others, a little on the shy side, or introverts, may have a problem opening up to people. With the holiday season approaching, it’s a good time to mix and mingle [...]

How To Regift Without Being Tacky

Soon enough you’ll be asked forced  to participate in Holiday gift-giving with co-workers, family, friends, and relative strangers.  A secret santa gift here.  A “bring a gift” for the underprivileged there.  Before you know it you’re out $100. So you think, I’ll regift.  Good idea if you do it right. 
So as not to be the tacky [...]

Etiquette Expert: Obamas bow to Japan’s emperor shows breach in protocol

The Etiquette Expert debuted her new updated blog.  A great read for those of us looking for etiquette tips in business, technology, and general manners.  Check out her recent blog on the much-hyped bow of President Obama’s bow to the Japanese emperor.
President Obama’s bow to Japan’s emperor shows breach in protocol.
Let’s set the record straight [...]

The Importance of Character

Come Correct columnist Karen Grigsby Bates reminds us of the importance of character. What is character? What one does if he knew he would never be found out.
According to Bates:
What we do unobserved or when we don’t have to in some measure defines who we are. So to pick some pretty mundane (but not unimportant) [...]

Email Etiquette

Email etiquettes are guidelines that help you to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings. These core rules of email etiquette help us to communicate better via email.

Take Another Look When You Send a Message.  Don’t send anything you don’t want to send.. Check your message carefully for spelling and grammar.
Do Not Default to “Reply to All”.  “Reply” [...]

From Girls to Young Women

I often joke that my development of social graces was by accident. As I recount my childhood, my mother was too busy working two jobs and squarely focused on me doing well in school (because she was damn sure – before I was – that I was going to college)!
This is not to suggest my [...]

July is National Cellphone Courtesy Month (hint, hint)

blackgirlgrown has previously written on the importance of having at least some sense of social decorum when using a cellphone or PDA. For good or bad, cellphones have become a part of our daily lives. Understandably, cell phones provide added comfort and reassurance to parents so that they can reach their children. It also provides [...]

It’s Not Just Lunch, It’s Business

Sometimes one can forget that when you’re invited to a business lunch, it’s about business. Whether you’ve extended the invitation or accepted one, certain business rules of etiquette apply. PINK Magazine’s “Manners at Work” blog provides great advice for some, and good reminders for others. April Fawcett Nagel gives the following tips:

Always arrive on time [...]

Blackberry Manners

My name is blackgirlgrown.  I am a Blackberry addict.  The first step is admitting you have a problem.  Fortunately,  I’m not as bad as some people.  And  it’s one of the few things I have in common with President Obama.  We have a common Blackberry addict bond.   I’ve also been quite the Blackberry pusher, responsible for getting [...]

The Importance of the RSVP

There is nothing more unnerving than planning a party only to be unsure about who is actually coming. You try your best to add RSVP information but for some reason, some people just don’t get it. RSVP means, “let a sista know if you’re going to show up, or not.” So, in the interest of social decorum (I’m still learning myself) and social order, let’s review the meaning and importance of the RSVP.

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