Thoughtful Gifts and Party Etiquette

In an age where a lot of formalized decorum has vanished, the holidays are still a time with rules, traditions, and unspoken expectations. It's also a time of heightened social interactions and increased opportunities to demonstrate warmth, hospitality, and all-around gentlemanly politeness.  

Here to help us navigate the many scenarios for practicing good etiquette that the holidays present is Thomas Farley, aka Mr. Manners. Today on the show, Thomas shares the neglected aspects of flying etiquette, how to be a non-annoying houseguest, the paradoxes of party arrival punctuality, whether a dinner party host should accommodate the special dietary restrictions of guests, how to get lingering guests out of your home after a party, how to best navigate an office holiday party, the rules of regifting, guidelines for holiday tipping, and much more.

Resources Related to the Podcast

• Thomas' previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #897 — Answers to the FAQ of Modern Etiquette
• AoM Article: How to be the Perfect Houseguest
• AoM Article: How to Be a Gracious Host
• AoM Article: How to Be the Ultimate Party Host
• AoM Article: A Gentleman Never Arrives Empty-Handed
• Esquire's Handbook for Hosts: A Time-Honored Guide to the Perfect Party
• Thomas' TEDx talk on tipping culture
• Sinbad's bit about people ordering at McDonald's

Connect With Thomas Farley

• Thomas' website
• Thomas on IG
• Thomas on X