Modern Etiquette

[Hellyon]

I don't know where to put this, so apologies to anyone who thinks it's in the wrong place.

Kate Middleton's mother was regarded as a 'common' for saying "pleased to meet you" when introduced to someone. I wondered what is the correct thing to say, as I understood it should be "How do you do?" however this sometimes doesn't always seem to be the appopriate response.

Anyone think of any other etiqutte faux pas' such as toilet instead of loo or lavatory.

Do you think etiquette needs to be updated?

[Octavius]

If you really give a toot, then you need to get hold of a copy of Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners (1999) by John Morgan, or one of the collections from his (former) Times column - also available in book format.

He topped himself in 2000, so unless another person with too much time on their hands and (probably) no friend�s, takes up the Olympic torch of pointless objectivity, it is likely to be some time before the world in waiting receives an updated version. Whatever shall we do?

[ALLO5775]

great answer pa-----ul! i think you just summed that up.

[Baby Jane]

I would much rather say "toilet " than lavatory and I always say "pleased to meet you" am I commom too?
Yes Pa_ul as long as your polite then that should be it.

[unruliejulie]

I cant be doing with all this rubbish hellyon, (not your question lol) but snobbery of the highest form! We are all equal, maybe not in monetry terms or social standing but i truly belived I am every bit as good as any royal with supposed blue blood!

[tiny e.a]

Agree with you all, and if the mother had attempted tp learn and execute the 'correct ' etiquette she would no doubt have been criticised/mocked by the upper class circles for her attempts anyway. The people to whom things like that matter will look down on anybody not born with a silverspoon up their a**e (or whereever it's meant to be) regardless of how the offending middle/working class oerson behaves.

[Octavius]

Just on your Q Hellyon, the person she (Ma Middleton) said 'pleased to meet you' to was the Queen. This was after a breifing sesh on royal etiquette, you know - 'your Majesty' 'Ma'am' etc.

It was the royal courtiers (those who live in ryal palaces on subsidised rents) were outraged, everyone else (above middle class) just jumped on the same sanctimonious band wagon.

[jump79]

Though I feel sorry for the mother who's been mocked for her lack of refinement, she was known to a bit of a snob herself among her own social circles, so what goes around comes around I think. In the end, no matter how much she would have tried to fit in with her graces and etiquette and got it right, her background would have always held her back.
Snobbery is just a part of life for the upper class and the Royals social circle is the highest one can go.....

[Pippa68]

The Queen should think herself lucky she wasn't greeted with ''Ariiiiiight''..

[joko]

just shows how outdated and unrealistic the RF are - i mean who actually says ''how do you do''? a few toffs!
what does it mean? how do i do what?
its a nonsense phrase

''pleased to meet you'' is warm, friendly and a nice sentiment - something the queen would do well to learn from given the general opinion of the RF these days.

if i ever meet the queen, i would love to say something like ''hiya, love, how ya doin, chuck?'' just to wind them all up.

[jacey]

This reminds me of a story Billy Conolly was telling, about how he and his wife were messing around,asking "How is one"? Pamela answers "One is fine, Thankyou" he then asks, " Would one like one to give one one"? Hardly sexy eh? :-)

[Hellyon]

I agree with all the views expressed here, I'm glad I wasn't alone!

[snug]

On being introduced to someone; a hand shake and "Hello ........."
Toilet/ Lavatory... "The bog" or in mixed company "The bog"
KISS