Etiquette Archives

Etiquette

Avoiding Gender-Based Language Traps

A few highlights from a recent newsletter regarding avoiding gender-based language traps: 1. Avoid “man” words unless you are specifically referring to an adult male. Avoid expressions such as manpower, man hours, and chairman. 2. Avoid words that communicate a “women-only” category. Use housekeeper rather than chambermaid, ballet dancer rather than ballerina. 3. Avoid “Dear… continue reading

Etiquette

Remember to Say “Thank You”

Happy holidays! I hope this season of peace is bringing you joy and contentment. If you have received gifts for Chanukah, Christmas, or another celebration, remember to express your appreciation. Even if the giver is someone who is trying to win your business, a gift… continue reading

Featured image for The Problem With "Not a Problem".

Etiquette

Other Ways to Say “Not a Problem”

Many people seem to have adopted the expression “Not a problem” in place of “You’re welcome.” For example, if I thank someone in email, by phone, or in person for doing a favor for me, the response is often “Not a problem.” I am guessing you… continue reading

Etiquette

Correcting With Kindness

Last Thursday I published a blog post in which I had missed a silly error. I typed reader's instead of readers. Of course, I know where apostrophes belong, but I typed the apostrophe and then overlooked it during several rounds of proofreading. You will not… continue reading

How to Introduce Yourself to a Stranger

I received a LinkedIn request from someone who wants to connect with me. This was the entire message: Lynn, I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. Jeni I do not know Jeni. I do not know why she wants to be… continue reading

Etiquette

Writing to Associates and Friends in Japan

If you are looking for words to communicate your feelings of concern, sadness, and condolence to friends and associates in Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, I offer the examples below. To communicate most effectively across the language barrier, I have primarily used short sentences… continue reading

Etiquette

A New Way to Address and List Married Couples

It’s 2011. It’s time for a new way to address married couples on envelopes and to list their names in programs. I regularly get messages like the one I received today from Carol, who works in higher education: Hi Lynn: I found your website helpful,… continue reading

Etiquette

Dear Reader: More About Salutations

About 70 percent of the questions I get from readers are about salutations for business letters. Here are some recent ones. For much more about letter and email greetings, see the links below. Question: We are sending out a mass mailing to inform our patients of a… continue reading

Etiquette

Alternatives to ASAP

In a Better Business Writing class last week, a maintenance manager was looking for alternatives to “ASAP” (as soon as possible). As someone constantly on the receiving end of ASAP requests, she wanted a different phrase to use when she was requesting. She was tired… continue reading

Etiquette

How to Address a Married Woman

My email inbox continues to fill up with questions about salutations. Frequently, the questions focus on married women and the appropriate courtesy title to use when typing their names in letter greetings and addresses. Here is the official word, which I have adapted from Emily… continue reading

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