• • A. When inviting school classmates to a home party, follow the school's policy for extending invitations. In the absence of a policy, keep in mind that when invitations are passed out at school, excluded students may have their feelings hurt. If all the students in the class can not be included, invitations should be issued discreetly and outside of the school environment (ex. after school, by mail, by phone).

• • A. When answering the phone at your desk say..."Hello, this is Mr. Smith" Do not say phrases such as "Mr. Smith here!" or simply "Hello" .

• • A. Repeat your name and telephone number twice when leaving a voice mail message. S

• • A. If you have a home-based business...Install a second line for business-use only and have an automatic answering system that picks up automatically if you are on the other line. Therefore, eliminating busy signals and portraying a professional image to your clients.

• • A. If you are answering the telephone at a business, it is polite to state the company’s name in your greeting.

• • A. Avoid using business stationery for non-business letters such as personal thank-you notes and invitations to events that are not business related.

• • A. A handwritten thank-you card on nice personal stationery (not company letterhead) would be more appropriate than a typed and signed letter. If the gift was sent by your old company's department or unit, you could simply send a thank-you card to the department head, director or communication contact. However, if you knew each sender personally, you should send individual thank-you cards to each person. This simple act of kindness will show that you appreciated their gesture and value their friendship.

• • A. No, it is appropriate to call someone back only when he or she requests a call back and leaves their return phone number.

• • A. No, simply ask permission before putting a person on the telephone's speakerphone.

• • A. Update your holiday greeting cards and list annually. Pay special attention to friends or relatives who have experienced life changes such as a marriage, divorce or a death in the family and address cards accordingly.

• • A. Always remember to send a thank-you note or card within two weeks of receiving a gift. However, sending a late thank you acknowledging reception of a gift is better than sending a belated correspondence.

• • A. A marriage announcement should be sent out within a day or two of the marriage but may be sent up to a year after a marriage that has taken place.

• • A. When there is poor telephone connection or when you are disconnected, the individual who originated/initiated the call is responsible for calling back the other party.

• • A. A thank-you card should always be sent if you did not open the gift in the gift giver’s presence or anytime you wish to express sincere appreciation for a gift received.

• • A. It is customary to send a thank-you card for all gifts received, regardless of gift size or value.

• • A. What is a polite way to turn down a dinner invitation? When replying to an invitation, convey your sincere regret by responding with something such as, Thank you for the kind invitation, but I will be unable to attend as I have a previous engagement.

• • A. Use first names when addressing someone only after being asked to do so.

• • A. A recent widow may be addressed as Mrs. (husband’s name). However, if she is not recently widowed, she may be addressed as either Mrs. (her name) or Ms. (her name) Communications Etiquette writing written letters

• • A. How should I respond to an invitation to a formal event when there was no response card enclosed with the invitation. If an RSVP with a telephone number is given on the invitation, a phone call with your reply is sufficient. If however, the formal invitation was issued in third-person format, a reply note written also in the third-person is appropriate. For additional information regarding RSVPs, please consult the Manners 2000 Volume I Social Graces and Table Manners Video.

• • A. All telephone calls should be promptly returned, regardless of who initiated the original phone call.

• • A. Yes, it is appropriate to call the guests so that you may give the restaurant an accurate head count and one week in advance would be an appropriate timeframe.

• • A. Thank-you notes for wedding gifts are expected and it is never too late to send them, but at this time, the sooner, the better.

• • A. When using CALLER ID, avoid greeting a caller by using his name before he says "Hello" and identifies himself.

• • A. Send baby announcements to your family and friends whom you feel would enjoy sharing in your happy news. Send the announcements as soon as possible after the birth.

• • A. Reply (R.S.V.P) to an invitation as soon as possible - preferably within one week after receiving the invitation.

• • A. Always use discretion when using a cellular phone in a social environment; refrain from placing cell phone calls and only answer cellular calls after excusing yourself from the immediate area.