Looking for information on English-speaking countries' manners and customs

Frank Fang

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Apr 18, 2004, 9:16:57 PM4/18/04

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I'm searching for information on English-speaking countries' manners
and customs, such as what are their table manners? What flowers should
people present for a baby's birth (or weeding, visiting hospital,
going to funeral)? How to accept or refuse invitation? What's the
origin of one specific custom? I've searched Google, but found few
websites with such introductions, so hope to get some help here.
Thanks.

Tony Cooper

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Apr 18, 2004, 11:03:58 PM4/18/04

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Speaking for the US, your question is too broad to be answered in one
site. You can try http://www.emilypost.com/ for some basic tips.
The site does offer a "Ask A Question" link for your e-mailed
questions. You'll get better advice, though, it you take one subject
at a time.

Steve Hayes

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Apr 19, 2004, 4:41:52 AM4/19/04

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On 18 Apr 2004 18:16:57 -0700, synta...@163.com (Frank Fang) wrote:

There's a huge variety in different countries and different sub-cultures
within countries.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Charles Riggs

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Apr 19, 2004, 5:26:55 AM4/19/04

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On 18 Apr 2004 18:16:57 -0700, synta...@163.com (Frank Fang) wrote:

Try any of the books written by Judith Martin, often known as 'Miss
Manners'. She is spot on with her advice, and humorous at the same
time.
--
Charles Riggs
My email address: chriggs/at/eircom/dot/net

Jeff Zahn

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Apr 19, 2004, 1:30:54 PM4/19/04

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synta...@163.com (Frank Fang) wrote in
news:64ead18.04041...@posting.google.com:

> What flowers should
> people present for a baby's birth (or weeding, visiting hospital,
> going to funeral)?

Notwithstanding all the friendly advice provided by other posters:

I think the proper flowers for a "weeding" are Dandelions.

--
Jeffrey "Not a Spledding Flame" Zahn

sage

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Apr 19, 2004, 2:40:06 PM4/19/04

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"Jeff Zahn" <jz...@pipeline.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns94D089B494CA6...@207.69.154.205...

I batted that around for a while and thought at first Mr. Fang meant
something akin to "widow's weeding" ... but wedding is probably more on the
beam. Mr. Fang, you're answers are given by the other posters. Take it
slowly and surely.

For example, and as a start, in that your name indicates a Chinese
background, western norms take it that black, not white, is the colour of
mourning.

Cheers, Sage

Jerry Friedman

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Apr 19, 2004, 7:27:36 PM4/19/04

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Charles Riggs <CHA...@eircom.net> wrote in message news:<mn67801879aapgg2r...@4ax.com>...

> On 18 Apr 2004 18:16:57 -0700, synta...@163.com (Frank Fang) wrote:
>
> >I'm searching for information on English-speaking countries' manners
> >and customs, such as what are their table manners? What flowers should
> >people present for a baby's birth (or weeding, visiting hospital,
> >going to funeral)?

This is an easy one. Tell the florist what occasion it's for. For
any happy occasion or for a hospital visit, any colorful assortment is
fine.

By the way, in the U.S. the people giving the wedding usually provide
flowers for the wedding party's outfits and for decoration; guests
give presents but don't bring flowers.

> >How to accept or refuse invitation? What's the
> >origin of one specific custom? I've searched Google, but found few
> >websites with such introductions, so hope to get some help here.
> >Thanks.
>
> Try any of the books written by Judith Martin, often known as 'Miss
> Manners'. She is spot on with her advice, and humorous at the same
> time.

Seconded, but in view of Steve Hayes's comment, I'll add that she
wrote about U.S. manners.

--
Jerry Friedman