With no disrespect to Steve Jobs, we all need a break from our electronic toys from time to time. Last week, my husband forgot his BlackBerry while on a business trip and did not miss it except for e-mails. It was like the old days: he would just call me...

Are you worried about being "politically correct" when talking to someone with a disability? Are you afraid you might inadvertently offend a disabled person? If so, you are not alone. Disability is a broad term. It can mean a physical condition, a mental condition or a learning disability such as...

The iPhone, BlackBerry, and all the other brands of smartphones are wonderful inventions, but this technology has put communication into uncharted territory. Now, we're not just making or receiving phone calls. A smartphone is a mobile office that does everything with a touch of the finger, from checking e-mails to...

As well all know, holidays can be tricky for families. It's the time to make peace, not war, especially since family get-togethers don't happen every day. But a holiday gathering can sometimes be a minefield, what with off-the-wall family members, conversation pitfalls, gift-giving quandaries, and dietary restrictions. Here are some...

• Gifts: Gifts (hostess or otherwise) don't need to be expensive. It really is the thought that counts! Do your homework in regard to the giftee so you can give a gift he or she really wants. Use simple, elegant wrapping paper and ribbon. And never walk into a party...

It's opera season, and the gloves are on, at least for opening night at the opera, the symphony, and other formal events. Here is what you need to know when wearing opera gloves (also known as evening gloves) for any occasion.

• Gloves should be kept on when shaking hands...

Do you remember the particular etiquette rules in your home when you were growing up? Yes, you. We all had them. And some of them were just strange. For example, my mother would flip out if my sister and I walked into the kitchen with our long hair not pulled...

School has long been out, the heat is on, and it's time for parties. From hosting a family barbecue to attending a summer celebration, mind your manners for optimum summer fun.

For hosts:

• How should I handle an unannounced guest or guests who didn't RSVP? Graciously! If you're throwing...

Anyone who visits department stores, shopping malls or lives in a metropolitan city, encounters the ups and downs of elevators and escalators in office buildings, subways, and the like. Refresh yourself with these rules of common courtesy the next time you go for a ride.

Escalators

• Stay to the...

One of the advantages of a good hotel is the assistance of a terrific concierge. Whether you need hard-to-get theatre tickets or dinner reservations, this member of the hotel staff is invaluable. Here are some hints on working successfully with a concierge.

• Think of a hotel concierge as an...

It's the little things that count with manners, including the proper way to eat bread and butter when dining in company. These tips will make you a pleasant and knowledgeable dining companion:

• A basket with rolls, sliced breads, crackers, and/or breadsticks may be passed at the table, or a...

Dining manners are not just empty rules; they make dining with others a more pleasant experience for everyone. The next time you dine in someone's home or in a restaurant, remember your Ps and Qs for optimal dining enjoyment.

The napkin is usually placed to the left of the plate,...

A handsome business card, properly presented, always makes a good impression. A business card is an extension and expression of you. It should be given in such a way as to make the recipient remember and want to contact you. You should know when to present a card, when to...

Annus horribilis no more. The London Evening Standard exclaimed, "Bride and Joy." The Sunday Times said, "You had to be there." Suzy Menkes of The International Herald Tribune dubbed Kate Middleton the first royal bride of the digital age. The Daily Telegraph: "In 1981, the public were spectators. Yesterday they...

While I'm too young to remember the day that President Kennedy was shot, the wedding of Charles and Diana is still fresh in my mind 30 years later. And what could be better than a June wedding but one in April? If you've seen the tulips that encircle Buckingham Palace...

There's a reason Emily Post wrote the book on manners. She said, "The woman who is chic is always a little different, Not different in being behind fashion, but always slightly apart from it."

Of the over one hundred etiquette subjects I have taught, dress and etiquette are always in...

Don't Weight! The New Year is well on its way to springtime. If you haven't bought into the infomercials about dropping two sizes in a week or taking diet pills, try the old-fashioned way: exercise. Here are some tips for exercising outdoors and in the gym:

Outdoors

And the winners are? It's that time of year: the Academy Awards. If you're like many, you'll want to see all the films nominated before the show. Here are some rules to make your movie theatre experience more enjoyable:

• Validate your parking ticket before the movie begins so you...

It's that time of year: the opening of the ballet season. Common sense and courtesy will vastly improve the enjoyment of everyone's theatre experience if the basic rules of etiquette are followed:

• Don't arrive late or leave early. It's disruptive to the artists and audience.

• Don't talk during...

Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance.
--Unknown

Fertility, shmertility. It seems I cannot read printed material of any kind without finding a discussion of women and fertility. Take it from someone who's been there: Trying to conceive a child can be a heartbreaking journey, especially when...