Expedition : a : a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose; b : the group of persons making such a journey. You Need To Quit is taking a couple of weeks off to explore the manners and morals of the genteel people in New York City. Follow me on twitter @YouNeedToQuit – or, you […]
A festive question: Is is polite to write “no gifts, please” on a birthday party invitation? LISTEN: No it is not. That presupposes someone’s intentions, and that’s always poor form. I recognize that you’re trying to be sort of reverse generous, telling people not to spend money when you just want their company, and that’s lovely. […]
A delightful inquiry: I read your post about champagne…my question isn’t about etiquette probably, but what food goes with it. LISTEN: I suppose there’s a question in there, but I can’t find the question mark, or the interrogation mark if you’d rather, or the eroteme if you must. I hate to make assumptions, but I’m […]
A selfless soul suggests: Every year at Christmas, my husband and I trade pleasant, but ultimately useless, gifts with his family. Things like scarves, gloves and throw blankets – things we each already have. Now, I genuinely like his parents (mine have passed away), but this last year they did something I think is really […]
A shrewd new parent states: I think sterling silver baby presents are stupid. They’re useless and they tarnish and nobody ever really uses them. People should buy toys or diapers or something we really need. LISTEN: What’s the resale value on plastic children’s toys? Or recently used disposable diapers? That’s what I thought.
A slightly less than serious queery: Gay marriage – who wears the dress? LISTEN: Whoever looks best in all that organza.
A thought: Paper plates. Plastic cups. Paper napkins. Plastic straws. Paper towels. Single-serving plastic bowls. All just dreadful. And if you don’t think it’s dreadful, you can at least agree that it’s wasteful. And I’m not talking merely from an environmental point of view – just in terms of money. The amount of money it […]
A heartbroken letter writer writes: My girlfriend broke up with me two weeks ago and I can’t get her out of my mind. She won’t return my calls or texts or emails. How can I win her back? LISTEN: You probably can’t, but that won’t stop you trying. Look, I don’t know what broke the […]
A cry in the wilderness begs to know: What do you think about a relatively famous social networking website? LISTEN: What am I supposed to think? On one hand, it appears to be a thoughtless jumble of unctuous platitudes, nauseating motivational slogans, shrill screeds on morality, pop psychology, desperate misunderstanding of religion and bumper sticker […]
When in doubt: What’s an appropriate wedding present when you don’t want to buy from a “registry”? What are some ideas for a hostess present – other than wine? What do you bring to a party of friends-of-friends when you don’t know them very well but find yourself invited? LISTEN: The answer to all these […]