etiquette
Manners in society
Etiquette is the set of unwritten rules governing polite behavior in social or professional settings.
It covers everything from table manners to email conventions to how you address royalty.
Etiquette varies by culture and era—what's proper in one context may be rude in another.
Business etiquette requires a prompt reply.
The etiquette of formal dining can be intimidating.
Manner of conducting oneself
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- comportmentManner of behavior
- demeanorOutward manner, conduct
deportment · bearing · carriage · manners · politeness · civility · respectfulness · courteousness
Custom passed through generations
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
mores · norm · practice · observance · formality · greeting · gesture · bow
Courteous, respectful conduct
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
- respectRegard with honor
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
kindness · thoughtfulness · graciousness · cordiality · affability · geniality · solicitude · attentiveness
Formal evening dress code
- white-tieStrictest evening dress code
- dress codeStandards for acceptable attire
- galaFestive formal occasion
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
reception · banquet · ballroom · debutante · cotillion · high society · state dinner · diplomatic
Prescribed conduct rules
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- embassyOfficial diplomatic residence abroad
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
treaty · negotiation · consulate · statecraft · bilateral · multilateral · accord · communique
Refined, graceful quality
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- charmAttractive personal quality
- dignityInnate personal worth
sophistication · tact · finesse · polish · class · style · taste · cultivation
Initial formal presentations
- greetingsExpressions upon meeting
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- hospitalityGenerous treatment of guests
host · guest · invitation · thank-you note · RSVP · eye contact · personal space · conversation
Proper conduct during meals
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
- napkinMealtime wiping cloth
- place settingArranged utensils for dining
- utensilsTools for eating
courses · seating · serving · chewing · elbows · toasting · Grace · chopsticks
behavior
Manner of conducting oneself
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- comportmentManner of behavior
demeanor · deportment · bearing · carriage · manners · politeness · civility · respectfulness · courteousness · discretion
tradition
Custom passed through generations
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
protocol · mores · norm · practice · observance · formality · greeting · gesture · bow · curtsy
politeness
Courteous, respectful conduct
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
- respectRegard with honor
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
civility · kindness · thoughtfulness · graciousness · cordiality · affability · geniality · solicitude · attentiveness · helpfulness
black-tie
Formal evening dress code
- white-tieStrictest evening dress code
- dress codeStandards for acceptable attire
- galaFestive formal occasion
ceremonial · reception · banquet · ballroom · debutante · cotillion · high society · state dinner · diplomatic · inaugural
protocol
Prescribed conduct rules
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- embassyOfficial diplomatic residence abroad
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
summit · treaty · negotiation · consulate · statecraft · bilateral · multilateral · accord · communique · credentials
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
dignity · sophistication · tact · finesse · polish · class · style · taste · cultivation · gentility
introductions
Initial formal presentations
- greetingsExpressions upon meeting
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
hospitality · host · guest · invitation · thank-you note · RSVP · eye contact · personal space · conversation · compliments
table manners
Proper conduct during meals
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
- napkinMealtime wiping cloth
- place settingArranged utensils for dining
utensils · courses · seating · serving · chewing · elbows · toasting · Grace · chopsticks · finger bowl
- cultural heritagefolklore, traditions, customs, folk music revival, museum collections
- life skillsreading, writing, cooking, cleaning, laundry
- mannersmanners, polite, rude, politeness, civility
- Victorian eraparlour, parlor games, courtship, formal dining, gender roles
- business culturebusiness cards, business hours, business meals, dress code, dress codes
- etiquettemanners, politeness, table manners, courtesy, civility
etiquetterudeness
Disrespectful social behavior
boorishness · incivility · bad manners · discourtesy · impoliteness
etiquettemisbehavior
Improper or unruly conduct
impropriety · inappropriateness · nonconformance · misconduct · transgression
etiquetteinformality
Relaxed, unofficial tone
casualness · spontaneity · naturalness · unconventionality · abandon
- dining etiquetteRules for polite meals
- greeting etiquetteNorms for acknowledging others
- office etiquetteWorkplace behavioral standards
- business etiquetteProfessional social conduct rules
- table etiquetteRules for polite eating
- email etiquetteRules for electronic correspondence