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Richmond Proper: On contagious laughter

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:39:03 +0000

It's happened to him, to her, and to you. A moment so silly, so juvenile, yet so undeniably human: contagious laughter. This week, our guide to all that is proper tackles an interesting topic--what do we do when we can't stop laughing.

Richmond Proper: A winter compendium

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:55:45 +0000

It's been another banner year here at Richmond Proper. We've examined everything from street harassment, to proper condolences, to cycling, to parenting during these past twelve months. Let's wrap it up with a year-end collection of etiquette thoughts from seasoned professionals and tween bloggers alike.

Richmond Proper: To respond or not to respond, to warn or not to warn

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:08 +0000

This week's Richmond Proper answers what to do when you catch your friend cheating on their partner, and how do you turn down a request for second date when the first didn't go so well.

Richmond Proper: On rebellion

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:00:34 +0000

We all know that Richmond Proper adores order and exhorts her readers to live as peaceful an existence as possible. But this week, as a sort of rebellion perhaps, I'll address the subject of...rebellion.

Richmond Proper: Entertaining round-up

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:00:34 +0000

With the holidays fast approaching, we thought it would be a good idea to take down the the tome that is our on-going Richmond Proper article, blow away the digital dust, and look over some hard-and-fast rules to make the holidays more mannerly. For instance, what's the best way to set the table before dinner, and how should we interact with family members that we'd like nothing more than to punch in the face.

Richmond Proper: On vegan potlucking

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:00:32 +0000

This installment's question certainly strikes me as particularly Richmond-relevant. Tumblr user Sofisopaipilla asked: I'm hosting a vegan potluck, is it out of the question, crass, rude, icky to ask people to bring a meat-free dish to share?

Richmond Proper: On parental wedding gifts and feuding friends

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:43 +0000

As fall descends and party season ramps up, Richmond Proper seems to be accumulating more seekers of event-related advice.

Richmond Proper: On retail etiquette

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:00:57 +0000

Someone once said that if you really want to make the world a kinder place, require that all people work one full year in retail. That way people get to see first hand how unmannered and rude people can really be, thus inspiring workers to go into the world with a more munificent demeanor. Unfortunately, that won't happen. Luckily, we have Richmond Proper to right our wrongs.

Richmond Proper: The unruly parents of Carytown

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:53:53 +0000

I don’t make it out to Carytown much anymore, being an East Ender now, but the last two times I was there I witnessed some pretty egregious etiquette blunders on the same block of Cary Street. You know the one — Cary Court, Can Can, Sweet Frog, etc.

Ask Richmond Proper: Engagement timing and a cat-fight

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:30:09 +0000

Richmond Proper is back, my well-mannered ladies and gentlemen! This week I answer questions about timing The Big Question, and delve into the age old question of "what's with kitties!?"

Richmond Proper: On visiting new parents

Valerie Catrow — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:00:46 +0000

The postpartum baby visit: this parental rite of passage can be a source of both joy and tension for new Moms and Dads. Take a look at a few ideas for making that that first post-baby pop-in peaceful, helpful, and conducive to getting you invited back for future baby cooing opportunities.

Richmond Proper: On admiring the tattoos of others

Nathan Cushing — Tue, 31 May 2011 10:00:22 +0000

It’s the time of year when people shed their clothes and expose their most intimate of body parts—the ones with tattoos on them! Richmond is a panoply of tattooed individuals, and this begs the question: how do we go about complimenting and asking about those tattoos without being rude?

Richmond Proper: Propriety of a modern cyclist

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:55:24 +0000

Learning to ride a bicycle is one of those childhood rites of passage that almost everyone goes through. Nowadays, with rising gas prices and an ever increasing downtown population, it only makes sense that people look for alternative means of travel. So what are the rules of the game when you take a bike into the streets? In actuality, they are the same as if operating a motor vehicle. Here is a rundown of things cyclists should be aware of.

Richmond Proper: On condolences

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:00:02 +0000

Expressing sympathy for those who have just lost a loved one seems to challenge most of us at one time or another. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind the next time you find yourself searching for the right words.

Richmond Proper: LOLcat edition

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:00:27 +0000

Because we have a lot to learn about manners from teh kittehs. And because it seemed like the right time.

Richmond Proper: On trolls

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:00:58 +0000

Those folks who only offer rants and vitriol are known as "trolls." A troll is the person who consistently posts spiteful comments ranging from threats to nonsensical babbling just to fill up space. Just to bother. Just to provoke.

Richmond Proper: On courtesy to one’s own family

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:00:05 +0000

"A myth exists that one of the pleasures of private life is the ability to drop manners and -- as people always put it when they assert the desire to be repulsive -- be themselves."

Richmond Proper: On street harrassment

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:00:20 +0000

I'm sure this is a nightmare you're well-acquainted with: You're walking down the street minding your own business, when suddenly a stranger squawks a bunch of nonsense at you, and you can't think of a great comeback until after you've already stormed off.

Richmond Proper: On Negative Nancys

Tess Shebaylo — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:00:13 +0000

In this darkest, coldest, and most depressing stretch of the winter, it seems particularly appropriate to discuss negativity. Friends, do not commit conversational suicide by being a Negative Nancy. Please, we love you and we want you to step back from the ledge!

Richmond Proper: On not being THAT GUY at the New Year’s Eve party

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:00:34 +0000

"New Year's Eve parties, being long and not carefully orchestrated -- as, say, a dinner is -- offer many opportunities for behaving badly, in ways one will suddenly remember with a sickening flash at breakfast the next afternoon." -- Judith Martin.

Richmond Proper: On office kitchens

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:32 +0000

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas most offices see an increase in food brought in to share, whether it's leftovers from a big family meal or an overzealous baking spree. Take a look at the following tips to keep office kitchens bearable despite the holiday influx.

Ask Richmond Proper: On greedy guests

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:00:43 +0000

One reader asks our etiquette expert if her husband's boozing at a friend's wedding falls under expected party antics...or if it crosses the line to flat out rude. We'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

Ask Richmond Proper: On polite rejection in the online dating scene

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:29 +0000

I'm doing the online dating thing, and I need to know what to do when someone who you have no interest in messages you. Which is more rude: not responding or responding and saying "uh...nope"?

Richmond Proper: Local history!

Tess Shebaylo — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:17:35 +0000

The Virginia Historical Society is currently featuring advice and etiquette books in their "Take a Closer Look" section. This is the perfect chance to brush up on your etiquette history and immerse yourself in some of the fantastic resources the VHS has to offer.

Richmond Proper: On compliments

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:00:20 +0000

The art of paying a simple compliment is in decline and may become extinct if we do not address the issue immediately. Never fear! The pen of Richmond Proper is prepared, as always, to deliver sweet justice to the faithful and gentle conviction to the rude.

Richmond Proper: On job interview etiquette

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:00:17 +0000

A reader writes, "I would love to read a Richmond Proper column on job interview etiquette. We've been interviewing people all week and the things they do astound me!" Here are a few simple guidelines we all should follow should we find ourselves in the hot seat.

Richmond Proper: On letters of commendation

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:00:28 +0000

Why is it that we're so quick to complain and so slow to compliment? The axiom "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" seems to give us permission to air our grievances at the slightest disappointment, yet we rarely air our joy when the system works well.

Richmond Proper: On beach etiquette

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:00:06 +0000

If we had to to sum up beach etiquette in one phrase, that phrase would probably be "avoid spraying others with sand." But since we're in high beach season and many Richmonders are loading up their cars for the Outer Banks, we shall go into a little more detail.

Richmond Proper: On agreeing to disagree

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0000

"By keeping your cool, you're teaching by example, much as a parent does for a child. Good behavior is catching; the more you display it, the more it spreads. This doesn't mean becoming a doormat; it does mean you can defuse a situation without wrangling over who's right or wrong."

Richmond Proper: On swimming pool etiquette

Tess Shebaylo — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:00:51 +0000

'Tis the season to address the issue of swimming pool etiquette. For Richmond Proper veterans, this is nothing but revisiting the basics of self-awareness and consideration of others. Tragically though, not everyone was born knowing how to act at the pool. Here are a few pointers...