A World of Etiquette

 

Etiquette Around the World: 

What’s the Word?

We recognize the French word “etiquette” in English, but other languages have their own ways of naming good manners and polite behavior.

• Here are a few examples:

1. French: étiquette — the source of our English word.

• Spanish: etiqueta — used for etiquette or protocol; buenos modales means good manners.

• Portuguese: etiqueta — boas maneiras is another expression for good manners.

• German: Etikette — Umgangsformen refers to social manners.

• Japanese: 礼儀 (reigi) — manners or courtesy.

• Mandarin Chinese: 礼仪 (lǐyí) — etiquette or ceremonial forms of courtesy.

• Nigeria, Yoruba: ìwà rere — good character, a broader idea that includes considerate conduct. Nigeria has many languages; Yoruba is one example.

• United Arab Emirates, Arabic: آداب (ādāb) — manners or etiquette.

These aren’t simply different spellings of one word. They’re ways of expressing related ideas in different languages.

Whether we say buenos modales or reigi, consideration is something we can practice wherever we go in the world.

Meet our newest contributor, Eileen Copeland. Eileen is the founder of Southern California Etiquette™, a modern etiquette and social refinement platform which explores dining culture, hosting, presentation, and contemporary social behavior. A native Southern Californian, Eileen’s background includes executive and personal assisting, real estate, wellness, modeling, beauty, and luxury client services. Married for over 15 years, Eileen is a mother of two and grandmother of two, whose broad experiences, including living internationally for nearly a decade, helped shape her appreciation for culture, hospitality, and refined living. She shares life with her husband, her mini Goldendoodle, Teddy, and Luna, her sphynx cat, while continuing her etiquette studies under mentor Maura Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette. You can reach her at Southern California Etiquette.

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia