social etiquette
Rules of politeness
Social etiquette is the set of unwritten rules governing polite behavior in society—knowing when to shake hands, how to address elders, what topics to avoid at dinner.
The phrase emphasizes learned conventions rather than innate moral sense: Her social etiquette was impeccable.
Someone with poor social etiquette commits faux pas that make others uncomfortable.
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- good mannersSocially acceptable conduct
- netiquetteInternet conduct standards
- tactSensitivity in speech
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
please and thank you · dress code · holding doors · respect · taboos · handshake · eye contact · customs · punctuality · decorum · honorifics · personal space · small talk · active listening · online privacy · rituals · propriety · civility
- etiquettemanners, politeness, table manners, courtesy, civility
- homemakingcooking, cleaning, laundry, recipes, baking
- customscustoms, customs clearance, wedding custom, customs declaration, burial custom
- privacyprivacy, private, seclusion, confidentiality, solitude
social etiquetterudeness
Disrespectful social behavior
boorishness · bad manners · incivility · discourtesy · crudeness
social etiquetteimpropriety
Unsuitable or inappropriate behavior
informality · barbarism · lawlessness · unconventionality · unruliness
social etiquettetone-deafness
Inability to perceive pitch
insensitivity · social awkwardness · tactlessness · gaucheness · cluelessness