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In This Issue
Wedding Gifts
New Project
Pool Etiquette
Etiquette Bites!
Pinterest: Entertaining
Etiquette in the News
Connect With Emily Post
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Ask Peggy


 
Q: Every time I end up with the window seat on a flight, I inevitably need to use the restroom multiple times. Is there any way not to annoy my sleeping seatmate?
 
A: If you're apologetic while stepping past and accidentally rousing your seatmate, he should be understanding about your bathroom needs. Or, try saying, "I'm so sorry - would it be easier if we swapped seats?" Acknowledging his discomfort might clue him in to the fact that you're uncomfortable, too. 
 

Read more of Peggy's advice each month in Good Housekeeping.     

 

GH new logo
 
The
Dinner Party
Download 

Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning are monthly guests on The Dinner Party Download a weekly culture and arts show hosted by Rico Gagliano and Brendan Newnam, and produced by American Public Media.

You can listen to the whole show, or scroll down to pick and choose segments.

Most recently:

 Episode 256    
Etiquette At Work


Read Peter Post's blog "Etiquette at Work."

This week focuses on The Name Game.

From looking for a job to dealing with the one you have, find answers to your employment-related questions.


New York Times logo The Well-Mannered Wedding

Read Peggy Post's thoughts on today's most nuanced wedding dilemmas in her New York Times column.

Most recently:
Wedding Q. and A.
On being the bigger person when it comes to wedding attendance and gift giving discrepancies.   
Digital Manners no Dan head

Problem with a co-worker?

  

 

Summer is abuzz with activity here at The Emily Post Institute. We would like to start this month's newsletter off by welcoming our newest employee to the Emily Post family: Steven Puettner will be our new Director of Sales and we are very happy to have him join our team!

Peter has been traveling all over the country this month. He's been to Louisiana, Colorado, and Connecticut for Business Etiquette Seminars. He is also getting in some time on one of his favorite golf courses on Martha's Vineyard.

Anna is finalizing plans for her wedding next month and enjoyed a relaxing bachelorette picnic with her bridesmaids.



Dan boarded a plane for Hawaii last week for a wonderful two week vacation. (We at the office are quite envious.)

Peggy has been holding down the fort in Florida, but she's about to embark on a two week trip to France. Bon voyage, Peggy, send us a postcard!

Lizzie brought out that American spirit and rode her horse in a local 4th of July parade. She and Michael Joseph won a trophy for their costumes. (It was a "rock n' roll 4th of July" themed parade.)



We hope you are enjoying summer and the wonderful gifts it brings with it!


What are your thoughts? Are there articles you've really enjoyed or topics you'd like us to cover? Let us know at: newsletter@emilypost.com.

 

Wedding Gifts 
A primer on who gives what at wedding related events 
 

Special occasions call for gifts, and weddings are no exception to this rule. From Do I really need to send a wedding gift? to What if I already brought a gift to a shower?, here are some guidelines for wedding gifting.

 

Engagement Gifts

Close friends and family usually do give the couple an engagement gift, and in many parts of the country it is customary to bring a gift to an engagement party. An engagement gift is more of a gesture of affection and needn't be expensive or elaborate. Something simple, such as a picture frame, cookbook, or a nice bottle of wine to start a collection, is the way to go.

 

Wedding Gifts

As per tradition, it is expected that wedding guests give gifts to the bride and groom. When choosing a gift keep your relationship and affection for the bride and groom as well as your budget in mind. Whether you attend or not, send a gift in appreciation of this most special invitation and to honor the marrying couple.

 

Bridal Party Gifts

It's traditional for the bride and groom to give gifts to the members of their bridal parties. Whether this means earrings for the bridesmaids, cufflinks for the groomsmen, or monogrammed tumblers for all, don't over think it. Keep it simple but significant to show the bridal party your appreciation and allow them to remember the occasion in the future.

 

Shower Gifts

For guests, the key to selecting shower gifts is finding something the couple can use while staying within your budget. If attending more than one shower, it's okay to bring a gift to the first one and then bring a card or smaller token gift to the others. Regardless of your gift choice for a shower, don't forget to plan for a wedding gift, too.

 

Gifts for Guests

Wedding favors are entirely optional but have become a popular way for the bride and groom to show their appreciation and thank their guests for being with them on their special day. These are usually smaller commemorative items-mini boxed chocolates, little jars or sachets of candy, match boxes printed with the date, personalized packets of wildflower seeds-presented to guests atop a place setting or arranged on a table for taking home.

 

All in all, it is important to keep in mind that it is not the price tag that matters, but rather the thought that really counts.

 
Want to learn more about wedding gifts? Check out Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, 6th edition


Keep 'Em Coming
The Awesome Etiquette Podcast

  

Dan and Lizzie are thrilled with the number of responses they've received so far from everyone sending in questions and good etiquette salutes. Please keep them coming! While not every question or salute will make it to air, we read each of them and greatly appreciate your interest and support. So please continue to send us your questions and your salutes to awesomeetiquette@emilypost.com or post to our facebook or twitter pages with #LizzieandDan.

We are currently looking at a late August launch and are working hard to meet that deadline. Thank you so much for your support!


Pool Etiquette
 

 

Owning a pool or having access to a pool can be a lifesaver in the summer! And while everyone will jump at the opportunity to cool off and enjoy the atmosphere, there are some manners that come to mind when it comes to summering poolside.

 

  1. Beware extending an open invitation. Many people with pools extend an open invitation to friends and relatives during the summer months to simply "come on by anytime". While this offer is surely generous it can backfire and you might end up with guests at a time when you weren't really able to accommodate them. It's best to set parameters rather than leave it open-ended. "Sundays from 12-7pm unless you hear otherwise" or "Invite yourself any day but please call first to double check it's a good time" or "If the orange flag is on the mailbox the pool is open!" Whatever your system, make sure your potential guests feel comfortable using it, and be prepared to have them take you up on it.
  2. Bring what you need. As a pool guest, it's good to bring items you might need with you, but don't go overboard. Swim suits, towels, and sunscreen are the basics. Snacks, drinks and a couple pool toys (rings to dive for etc...) are always great. Bringing four blowup floats, a pool volleyball set and three coolers is a bit much.
  3. Respect the atmosphere. Some hosts encourage a big pool party with music, food, beverages, and games; other's might want a quiet atmosphere where guests can relax. Be sure you know what your host prefers.
  4. Know who is invited. A host might say, "Feel free to come on by with your kids," but make sure to call first and ask if friends of your family or your kids' friends are also welcome. Be understanding if your host says he or she just can't accommodate that many people.
  5. Clean up after yourself and say thank you. It's important to acknowledge how generous your host is with his or her pool. While you don't have to bring a hostess gift each time you come, giving something either mid summer or at the end of the summer is a great way to say thank you for all the great pool time!
  6. Safety always comes first. No matter whose pool you are visiting, running near the pool, leaving children unattended, and bringing glass to a pool area are all dangerous and definitely not good pool etiquette.


For more on pool etiquette check out Emily Post's Etiquette, 18th edition or visit www.emilypost.com

 

Etiquette Bites!
Carpooling



Peter Post talks about carpooling etiquette.
Ideas on Pinterest
Get inspired: Visit our Pinterest boards.

 

Do the summer months have you entertaining friends and family all evening long? Looking to change up your usual dinner routine? Visit our Pinterest boards to get inspired! 
 

Emily Post & Etiquette in the News

   


Peggy Post 
Smart Business Magazine - Keeping Emily's Legacy Alive

Anna Post     
The Huffington Post - Engagement Dinners: Guests Don't Pay
Chicago Tribune - Buying a Wedding Gift

Lizzie Post  
The Wall Street Journal - Houseguest Etiquette
Glamour.com - Wedding Etiquette
Have and Hold, Pottery Barn Blog - Wedding Showers

Daniel Post Senning
NYdailynews.com - Jonah Hill Apology
zdnet.com - Digital Device Etiquette
 
To see more news stories with Post advice, visit our newsroom


Please visit our
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Sincerely,

The Posts

 

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