Etiquette & Languages

Who's the worst in the restroom? The person who drips on the seat, talks on the phone or hogs the mirror? We put all three – and some others – on our list of annoyances.

By Chris Opfer

For the rule-loving (and germaphobic) people among us, IKEA can be a nightmare: Huge crowds, long lines and loud kids can make things seem chaotic. Help bring order to the madness by following our etiquette outline.

By Jeff Harder

To make the best out of your next 30-second trip in vertical transportation horror, follow our 10 weird (but indispensable!) rules of elevator etiquette.

By Dave Roos

Will the grammar police really arrest you if you start a sentence with a conjunction or end one with a preposition? There's only one way to find out.

By Kate Kershner

G. Gordon Liddy once observed that the trouble with conspiracies is people can't keep their mouths shut. He should know: He was part of one of the most notorious cover-ups in history. Which was it and what were the other nine?

By Patrick J. Kiger

Responding to invitations promptly is part of proper etiquette. Learn about what common R.S.V.P. etiquette entails from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

"You can't hide your lyin' eyes," cautioned the Eagles, and they're right. We like to think that words count, but do they communicate as clearly as body language?

By Patrick J. Kiger

You're scanning your friend's baby shower registry and find all the usual suspects: diapers, onesies, rattles and pacifiers. But what's with the Spanish language DVDs and Mandarin vocabulary flash cards? When is the perfect time to start learning another language?

By Molly Edmonds

A required language class in high school or college has been the academic downfall of many a student. But for students who have a so-called "ear for languages" and pick them up easily, German 101 is a piece of cake. What accounts for the difference?

By Molly Edmonds

Let's say that you're traveling to a country where you don't speak the language. You didn't have time to pick up a dictionary, so you'll have to get around using only hand gestures. The problem? Every hand gesture you do offends someone. What gives?

By Molly Edmonds

When you're struggling through intro to Latin or intermediate German, at some point it's likely that you'll shut your book and wonder why we can't all just speak the same language. How did we end up with so many? And why can't we just pick one and put an end to the confusion?

By Molly Edmonds

Try saying "toy boat" three times fast. By the time you're done, the words will be all distorted. It's a classic tongue twister, but is it your tongue or your brain that's really tangled up?

By Josh Clark

It's dreary outside, and you remark on the beautiful weather. An incompetent co-worker is promoted, and you say she'll do a great job. It's not Opposite Day -- it's sarcasm.

By Shanna Freeman

What may elicit a thumbs up from Miss Manners in the U.S. may not elsewhere in the world. Some cultures do things very different from the way Americans are used to. Learn 13 examples of good and bad manners around the world.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Popular slang terms come and go — and sometimes come back again. Here are some of the most popular slang words of the last 100 years, decade by decade.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Much to our amusement, politicians sometimes get tongue-tied. See our list of 9 political slips of the tongue by presidents and other leaders, including slips by Ronald Reagan and Al Gore.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

People will remember a life well-lived, but a well-written epitaph will render that person unforgettable. Here are 20 of the wittiest and most memorable epitaphs ever written.

By Stephanie Watson & the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the fastest growing languages of study in the United States. Learn about the history of ASL, how it's used and how it differs from other sign languages in the United States and around the world.

By Jonathan Strickland

A concierge's work is more varied than ever as they take care of all the things most of us struggle to find time to do. Let this article change your mind about how you think the job of a concierge works.

By Stephanie Watson

In spite of being so easy to overlook, Braille is amazing. Learn how Braille gives blind people an efficient method for communication and learning.

By Tracy V. Wilson

A hybrid of English and Spanish known as Spanglish can be heard in many predominantly Hispanic areas as well as on TV and in movies. Learn where it came from and how it works.

By Tracy V. Wilson

Many of us offer a blessing when someone sneezes, and we don't even know why. Why does a sneeze get a "bless you" when a cough goes unanswered?"

By Stephanie Watson

You've probably heard the story about Catherine the Great and the horse. Although this false piece of gossip is more than 200 years old, it's still being spread as fact. Learn about the different types of gossip and find out why gossip is so ubiquitous.

By Tracy V. Wilson

In this article, we'll explore what makes words into swearwords, why most Americans use them and how society responds to swearing. We'll also look at one of its most fascinating aspects -- the way it affects your brain.

By Tracy V. Wilson

Did you know that servers, guides, drivers, concierges and others who help us dine and travel sometimes aren't paid even minimum wage by their employers? They depend on customer gratuities. Want to know what to tip and when?

By Lee Ann Obringer