toilet paper

There's Only ONE Direction for Toilet Paper to Face -- And Other Super Important Rules for Life

Oh, you don't want to break up with someone when he butters his bread without breaking it first? Your life must be so much better than mine, but WHATEVER, gloating isn't ladylike, so shove it.
in
Relationships, toilet paper, etiquette, candles, pillow cases, napkins, bread and butter, being a WASP, this is seriously how I was raised but I'm OK with it, useless things my mother taught me

Oct 12, 2012 at 9:00am | 637 comments

race

I Have A Transracial Family And You Wouldn't Believe The Things People Say To Us

I didn't mind living in rural Tennessee until I had two black children.
in
Issues, race, transracial adoption, family drama, etiquette

Apr 30, 2013 at 11:00am | 405 comments

clutch magazine

10 Things Every Non-Black Person Should Know (By Now) About Black Women

I offer rules for non-Black people to engage Black women without causing offense. If you can manage NOT to do the following, you can probably come across as a decent human being.
in
Relationships, Clutch Magazine, race, etiquette

Feb 27, 2013 at 1:30pm | 400 comments

grammar

Why Grammar Nazis Need to STFU

There’s nothing cute about desperately clinging to the finer nits of adverb use and misuse, and there’s nothing noble about publicly shaming people for grammatical gaffes and typos.
in
Issues, grammar, shut up, annoying, etiquette

Mar 11, 2013 at 4:00pm | 377 comments

tattoos

How Not To Be A Dick At The Tattoo Shop

Tattoo shops can be intimidating places. Even as a grown adult, there's a part of me who still assumes everyone who works there is like rilly rilly cool and making fun of me behind my back.
in
Beauty, tattoos, etiquette, tattoo shop, virginia elwood

Jan 2, 2013 at 9:00am | 347 comments

the internet

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME? I Can't Use A Telephone

Sometimes I get freaked out if I have to call for a pizza, even if I know doing so will result in piping hot pizza. PIZZA.
in
Tech, the internet, phones, etiquette, social anxiety, julieanne is an idiot, julieanne smolinski is a lunatic, email, relationships

Mar 27, 2013 at 9:00am | 282 comments

weight

Yes, People, I Know I'm Skinny So Please Quit Telling Me

I’m not allowed to utter the words “run” or “exercise" without eliciting an intervention. Can I preserve my heart, please?
in
Issues, weight, body image, healthy, etiquette

May 24, 2013 at 1:30pm | 228 comments

eating out

High Maintenance Help: How Do You Feel About Sending Food Back in a Restaurant?

Is it really that hard to serve a properly bloody steak? Like you don't even need to cook it that long.
in
Relationships, eating out, etiquette, high maintenance, lesley le boeuf

May 21, 2012 at 9:00am | 226 comments

how not to be a dick

How To Be A Dick, Because Sometimes You Have To Be

Being nice is my preferred method of operating, but sometimes you have to push and shove to get anything done. Sometimes you have to be a little rude.
in
Relationships, how not to be a dick, behavior, etiquette, how to be a dick, concerts, careers

Jun 3, 2013 at 11:00am | 215 comments

gym

Sorry I Got My Sweat On You; Gym Etiquette And Hygiene For Everyone

I've taken up hot yoga. SWEAT EVERYWHERE.
in
Healthy, gym, hot yoga, etiquette

Mar 26, 2013 at 5:00pm | 184 comments

how not to be a dick

How Not To Be A Dick To Your Disabled Friend

There’s no need for you to speak more loudly and slowly, enunciate more, or mime things when you’re speaking to me
in
Issues, how not to be a dick, disability, friendship, etiquette

Feb 25, 2013 at 10:00am | 182 comments

etiquette

"He's Just Not That Into You" Applies to Friendships, Too

I've started, for the sake of my sanity, simply interpreting "I’m so bad at getting back to people" as "I’m so bad at being a friend right now" ... and letting it go.
in
Relationships, etiquette, flakes, friendship, he's just not that into you, texting

May 9, 2012 at 3:00pm | 145 comments

food

I'm a Seriously Disgusting Eater And I Have No Shame

I really just can’t be bothered to give one single shit about what I look like when I’m eating.
in
Fun, food, eating, manners, etiquette

Mar 29, 2013 at 3:30pm | 142 comments

deaf

How Not to be a Dick to A Deaf Person

Don't whisper. Also don't shout. And if you... speak... like... this... I will punch you.
in
Issues, deaf, disability, hearing, how not to be a dick, relationships, etiquette

May 29, 2013 at 11:00am | 141 comments

ethnicity

How Are We Still Playing "Guess My Race"?

While it's one thing to have your own family jokingly question your parentage, it's quite another when the questions come at you from strangers.
in
Issues, ethnicity, etiquette, race, racism, strangers

Mar 19, 2012 at 11:00am | 137 comments

kickstarter

It's Time For The Backlash! Is Kickstarter Becoming An Etiquette Problem?

I now receive a minimum of one Kickstarter campaign solicitation in my email in-box every week. It feels a little like blackmail.
in
Relationships, kickstarter, etiquette, tech, the internet

Jan 11, 2013 at 5:00pm | 128 comments

crying

Should I Have Said Something To That Man Who Was Crying In My Coffee Shop Yesterday?

Maybe I could have created an opportunity for us to have a really nice human interaction that would leave us both feeling better afterward.
in
Relationships, crying, public places, etiquette

Jan 30, 2013 at 1:30pm | 125 comments

cell phone

Would You Give Up Your Cell Phone During a Meal for 5% Off the Bill?

When you come visit me at my open casket funeral, look closely: I bet my fingers will be tightly clutching my iPhone.
in
Relationships, cell phone, tech, etiquette, social media, dancing calamari, my iPhone is basically an appendage

Aug 23, 2012 at 2:30pm | 73 comments

etiquette

HOW TO: Write A Damn Thank You Note

Dear All You Readers...
in
DIY, etiquette, letters, netiquette, relationships, social graces, thank you notes, writing

Aug 3, 2012 at 10:30am | 51 comments

conversation

HELP! I'm an Awkward Exiter

I know how to banter at a party -- I just don't know how to make a break for it.
in
Relationships, conversation, etiquette, other assorted forms of awkwardness, parties, politeness

Apr 10, 2012 at 1:00pm | 40 comments

elsa maxwell

TODAY IN LADYHISTORY: Elsa Maxwell’s Name-Dropping Fun-Having Rule-Breaking Reign as Queen of the Party

Or, how to succeed in high society without really trying.
in
Entertainment, elsa maxwell, etiquette, midcentury style, rules are for suckers

Nov 10, 2011 at 3:04pm | 0 comments