Is It Ok To Email A Thank-You Note And Other Modern Day Etiquette Dilemmas

For those of us who grew up in a pretty non-technological world, there were certain things we were taught to do, like hand-writing a thank you note if someone gave you a gift or did something nice for you. Now, with the advent of cell phones, voicemail, email and Facebook, have the rules of etiquette changed with the technology?For many years, the ultimate authority on etiquette and manners has been Emily Post's "Etiquette" which was first published in 1922.  Fortunately, the Post family continues to update the book and has addressed some of the dilemmas we face in the modern world.

Is it acceptable to send a thank-you note via email? If you're saying thanks for lunch go ahead. But if you received a nice gift or something really special, a handwritten note is always the best.

Be courteous when leaving a voicemail message. Start your message with your name and phone number, clearly state your message and leave your name and number again at the end to make it easier for the recipient to get the information.

When is it appropriate to unfriend someone on Facebook? If they're posting things that are embarrassing or inappropriate you may want to consider it, especially if those posts are on your page. At the same time, you have to be sensitive to the fact that it may jeopardize your real life friendship with that person as well.

Who pays for a business lunch? Unless it's agreed upon in advance, the person who made the invitation should pick up the tab.

It's ok to skip the handshake if you or the other person may be sick. The best thing to do in this instance is to say hello and explain you'd normally shake hands but you're trying not to pass the germs or get sick yourself.

According to the Post family, etiquette continues to evolve just like technology but principles don't. It's always important to be considerate, respectful and honest with the people in your life. That part of good manners hasn't changed.

[Yahoo]