Mind your P’s &Q’s

Do manners really matter anymore? You bet your bottom dollar they do! Here’s how to get them right

Manners really do matter and can get you out of tricky situations

the festive season provides more than its share of opportunities to royally stick your foot in it. We’re not talking about using the wrong knife and fork or sipping your soup funny. But navigating potentially tricky interpersonal situations? That’s a different story!

How do you handle an errant relative with grace and good humour? And that not-quiteright gift from hubby? Or the selfie-addicted friend whose phone is surgically attached to her hand? Ugh. Sometimes you catch more flies with honey, and sometimes a more direct approach is called for. Which to use when? Ah, that’s the question! Here, we tackle a bunch of modern-day etiquette dilemmas

using a bit of both!

QMy bestie’s significant other is an obnoxious know-it-all with political opinions to match. I’m hosting a Chrissy do. Is it OK to say he’s not welcome?

AHe sounds like the life of the party – you must invite him! It’s good to be exposed to the views of those who think differently and, if all goes to hell, it will be a shindig to remember. Win/win! Besides, not inviting him may cause more problems than it solves.

QDo I really need to RSVP to invitations these days?

AWere you raised in a barn? Yes. You must always respond to invitations whether you are planning to attend or not. RSVP is simply French for ‘please respond’.

QThank you notes. Is a text OK?

AWhile a text might be ‘OK’, a mailed note card is so much nicer to receive and infinitely more personal. Do it like it was 1899.