Awesome Etiquette

Hosts Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning answer audience questions about modern etiquette, offering advice grounded in consideration, respect, and honesty. As the great-great-grandchildren of Emily Post, cousins Dan and Lizzie look to the reasons behind traditional rules to guide their advice in a wide range of contemporary situations. Test your social acumen and join the discussion about civility and decency in today's complex world.

Kids & Family
Relationships
Self-Improvement
526
Episode #85: The Grumbling Groomsman
A listener suspects that a groomsman invitation is less about friendship and more about compensating for a less-than-responsible best man. Communication has been spotty. Plus, the costs are starting to pile up. Is it too late to back out?
39 min
527
Episode #84: So … How Did It Turn Out?
We check in with listeners who’ve had their questions answered to see what happened after the advice was given.
51 min
528
Episode #83: When You Want to Bring Home the B ...
A listener loves a liqueur. And loves to spread the love. But do they have to donate an expensive bottle to the party every time they BYOB? Or can they take it back at the end of the evening?
49 min
529
Episode #82: What’s That Smell??!? I’m Working ...
A listener was greeted in the office kitchen by a note dictating what co-workers could and could not heat up in the microwave for lunch. So, who has the authority to say so, and who has the authority to eat what they want?
49 min
530
Episode #81: NBA? Nevermind!
A listener and her fiancé were gifted some basketball tickets, but the game was on a day she couldn’t attend. After the fiancé invited a mutual friend, he realized that he had the day wrong, and she could go. So, who gets the ticket?
42 min
531
Episode #80: Consulting an Authority
Lizzie and Dan hear from several listeners who might need to bring in someone with more authority. They tackle roommate issues, talking about people behind their backs, and when you’ve done as much as you can and have to consult someone else.
51 min
532
Episode #79: It’s My Party and I’ll DJ If I Wan...
The audience weighs in when a dinner party host asks how to deal with guests who want to add songs to the evening’s playlist. We also hear from Rico and Brendan from the Dinner Party Download on the subject.
38 min
533
Episode #78: Johnny On the Spot (And He’s Not L...
When a blizzard consumed Baltimore, a listener became frustrated when neighbors began claiming street parking spots after digging them out. So who has the etiquette right when reserving the parking spot you worked so hard to dig out?
43 min
534
Episode #77: Being Polite On Both Sides of the ...
A southerner and a New Englander ask for suggestions on raising their kids to say “sir” and “ma’am,” understanding that those terms have very different meanings and expectations in each of their home regions.
39 min
535
Episode #76: Destination: Expensive
A listener has been invited to the destination wedding of a co-worker, and is concerned about the cost. Lizzie and Dan discuss whether it’s rude to force your wedding guests to spend a lot to get to your event.
36 min
536
Episode #75: The Mystery of the Unsent Postcards
Lizzie and Dan need your help with what to do! A listener bought an item secondhand, and in it has come across some items personal to someone else’s life. What should the listener do with the postcards in the book?
33 min
537
Episode #74: Gifts? Yes, Please!
A listener thinks that some gifts from guests would be nice at her party celebrating a milestone event in her life. But she’s worried that “no gifts, please” has become de rigueur on modern party invitations for adults.
36 min
538
Episode #73: Spoiler Alerts Spoiler Alert
It’s a question as old as cinema itself – how long does a movie have to have been out to be OK to talk about openly?
39 min
539
Episode #72: Whose Invitation Is It, Anyway?
A listener is torn over her invitation to the wedding of her son’s childhood friend. The boys had a fight, so her son isn’t invited, but the invitation came from the friend’s mother, whom the listener has been friends with for years.
36 min
540
Episode #71: Is It Pronounced PWNHAMMER?
A listener isn’t sure about the etiquette of hosting online friends for a meat space get-together, and whether or not it’s okay to use in-game names instead of real names.
37 min
541
Episode #70: I’ll Have What You’re Having On My...
Lizzie and Dan debate the complicated issue of a listener who was reprimanded for choosing the “wrong” slice of pizza after clearly saying he didn’t care which toppings were chosen.
41 min
542
Episode #69: Keeping It in the Family
A listener’s young son was confided in by a friend on some family business. Should the listener now reach out to the family during their hard time, or stay out of it?
35 min
543
Episode #68: It’s Not About You, It’s About My ...
After learning of an accidental pregnancy, a listener is worried about the judgment from people who had previously said she’d change her mind about not wanting to have children.
40 min
544
Episode #67: Shoes On or Shoes Off in the House?
Lizzie and Dan feature some of the extensive feedback they received on the great shoes on or off in the house debate. This one touched a nerve, and people offer some heartfelt perspectives from around the globe.
38 min
545
Episode #66: Awesome Holiday Etiquette
The holiday season can be a minefield when it comes to good behavior. Lizzie and Dan will talk with friends and special guests about etiquette throughout the season, including John Besh, Judith Hill, and Andrew Walsh.
53 min
546
Episode #65: ‘Tis the Season for Regifting
A listener writes in with one of the most blatant regifting stories ever told, spurring conversations about how to handle receiving a clearly regifted present, and how to avoid being tactless if you choose to do some regifting of your own.
38 min
547
Episode #64: Blood Is Not Thicker Than Facebook
A listener has been unfriended by a family member on social media. Lizzie and Dan talk about what that might mean, and what should be done (or not done) in response.
33 min
548
Episode #63: Holiday Party Obligations
Happy Thanksgiving! On the show this week, an introverted and socially awkward listener has been invited to, but doesn’t want to attend, several office holiday parties. Is she obligated to go? Lizzie and Dan talk about the social obligations of work events.
35 min
549
Episode #62: A Handshake Will Do
Lizzie and Dan field a question from a listener who is new to the professional world and is seeking advice for how to curtail the amount of hugs she gets at work. Especially from older male colleagues.
36 min
550
Episode #61: Sharing Difficult News
A listener has been diagnosed with aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. He wants to share the news with friends and family, but wants to know the best way to balance delivering potentially devastating personal news with compassion for those who will be receiving the message.
37 min