Encyclopedia

etiquette

etiquette, name for the codes of rules governing social or diplomatic intercourse. These codes vary from the more or less flexible laws of social usage (differing according to local customs or taboos) to the rigid conventions of court and military circles, and they extend to the legal, medical, and other professions. All cultures include forms of etiquette; often, etiquette has been used to enforce class distinctions, as well as safeguarding against conflict in social interactions.

See J. Martin, Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior (1983); E. Post, Emily Post's Etiquette (15th ed. 1992); Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette (ed. by N. Tuckerman, 1995).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

More on etiquette from Fact Monster:

  • Dowries - A history of dowries
  • When and How to Display the U.S. Flag - The United States Flag Code stipulates that as the symbol of a living country, the flag is considered in itself a living thing. These regulations outline the proper ways to display the American flag.
  • Weddings: dresses, traditions, quotations, cakes, movies, and more - Find information about weddings, wedding traditions, wedding dresses, honeymoon destinations, marriage quotations and movies, marriage statistics, and more.
  • Analogy Quiz - (What is an analogy?) FAR : DISTANT :: _____ : etiquette Hint rude please manners Word Quiz ...
  • Flag Day - Flag Day Flag etiquette, history, controversy, and myth On June 14, Americans celebrate the ...

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Customs and Artifacts