Lisa Mirza Grotts

Raise your hand if you think it's okay to apply lipstick at the table. If men aren't allowed to wear hats indoors, why should women be able to fix their makeup in public?

In general, applying makeup of any kind should be avoided in public. Checking yourself out in a...

Wedding season is just around the corner. There are rules of decorum that go along with being a bride-to-be. Make sure you're a gracious bride and not a Bridezilla by following the guidelines below:

1. Out-of-Towners. For family and friends who travel a long distance, make sure to include them...

If you want good service before, during, and after your office visit, refraining from "complaining" is bound to help. This is not always easy, especially if you're in pain or you have other appointments and the doctor is running late, but usually he or she has a good reason, such...

It's Sunday afternoon, and even though you can smell the chocolate chip cookies baking in the kitchen, you pray this will be your last open house. My husband and I spent a year looking at real estate, and we felt this way every Sunday. If you're in the process of...

How much should I tip the shampoo person? Is it okay to eat while having my hair done? Good questions! If you ever feel unsure about salon etiquette, simply ask! Every salon will have different rules, but I think you'll find most will be accommodating. As with any service business,...

Last fall, I trained the UC Berkeley football team in how to interview for a job. Sixty players showed up. What does that tell you? Competition in the job market is fierce! According to Cynthia Lett of the Lett Group, "Leading executives tell us that 85 percent of an employee's...

Here are answers to several common travel questions:

1. Is it okay to shake hands in all countries? Don't people in some countries hug and kiss upon greeting? In most cultures, people shake hands. But it all depends on where you are in the world. In Turkey, men don't shake...

If you are planning to take the plunge into the world of online dating, you should learn the code of online dating etiquette first; it will save you from wasting time, being disappointed and hurting the feelings of other people. Online dating is not a game. You will be dealing...

Have you noticed how often men wear their hats indoors? This is a breach of etiquette that some men don't seem to know about. And it's always surprising to me how many people do not remove their...

There is an urban myth about the guest who drank from her finger bowl, thinking the clear liquid was a kind of soup. In order to put her guest at ease, the hostess did the same. While finger bowls may be a thing of the past, they do exist in...

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...