Even social networking has its do's and don'ts. The family who wrote the book on American etiquette, has just updated it for the digital age. Emily Post's Etiquette first set standards for manners almost 90 years ago. Her great-great granddaughters Anna and Lizzie are keeping the family business on pace with modern times with an updated edition.
"Emily used to have an entire chapter in 1922 about chaperones. I think, well, maybe some parents wish we had that, but on a whole we do have to keep moving and adapting," Anna post said. Emily Post's Etiquette: Manners for a New World covers the do's and don'ts of Facebook, email, Twitter and texting. So what's off limits? The digital breakup, for one, is a big don't.
"In person, phone if you have to but Facebook, you know, changing the status as the way of letting them know? Not the way to go," Anna Post said. The Post's say it's also taboo for eager brides and grooms to update their Facebook status or send out a tweet at the altar.
"Not that there's anything wrong with tweeting, but is that your priority at the altar? I think not. So that's a definite no ," Anna Post said. "As for guests, who are you tweeting? People who weren't invited?"It is OK to un-friend or un-follow someone if their wall posts, pictures or tweets make you uncomfortable, but if it's someone you're close to offline, follow up face-to-face.
Because the Post's say common courtesy stays the same, even if lots of other things change. "There is not some sort of electronic brick wall between you and the other person. It's a real person over at the other end so think about them," Lizzie Post said.