Modern life has introduced new forms of rudeness, from emailing colleagues out of hours and using single-word replies on chat to playing TikToks loudly in public and not RSVPing to events. Experts discuss how technology and social media have blurred etiquette lines, impacting workplace, dating, and social interactions.
Fran Lebowitz, 75, cites long flights and tobacco dependency as reasons for not returning to Australia. The acclaimed American critic, known for her wit and commentary on culture and politics, discussed her views on technology, US politics, and societal trends during a recent interview.
Wedding guests face a new etiquette dilemma: how much cash to give when couples request honeymoon fund donations instead of traditional gifts. Contributions vary widely, from £50 to £400+, influenced by closeness, culture, and attendance costs.
SCMP's weekly Asia report features a story on Malaysian tourists facing backlash in China for mocking locals, and mentions a fatal school shooting in the Philippines, among other highlights.
Japanese football fans' habit of cleaning stadiums after matches has gone viral, but a meme contrasting this with domestic scenes has sparked debate about men's contribution to housework in Japan.
Malaysian tourists are facing backlash in China for filming strangers and calling locals "smelly" and disrespectful. Videos posted on TikTok, though later deleted, went viral on Malaysian social media, sparking debate on travel etiquette and national image.
Onsen sommelier Yuuka Irie shares unwritten rules for Japanese hot springs, including proper showering, nudity, tattoo policies, bathing etiquette, and ryokan schedules, emphasizing respect and hygiene for a quality experience.
Experts offer guidance on modern phone etiquette, covering texting in theatres, restaurant phone use, loudspeaker calls, voice notes, and generational differences in communication styles.
A discussion on wedding etiquette, specifically the issue of plus-ones, using Taylor Swift's upcoming wedding as a focal point. An anonymous guest's complaint about not receiving a plus-one highlights the complexities of modern wedding invitations.
In ancient China, water consumption was deeply intertwined with social status, health beliefs, and ritual practices, influencing elite preferences for specific water types.
The revival of Chinese hanfu, or traditional dress of the Han people, in recent years has drawn attention to the complicated etiquette surrounding buttons. As the Xinzhongshi, or neo-Chinese style clothing, took over the market in recent years, some people complained online that they had bought clothes that would bring bad luck. The telltale sign was the number of buttons on a garment. In some Chinese regions, a folk belief existed which held that if the number of buttons is four or six, this...
An increasing number of cinema-goers are reporting disruptive behavior during screenings, including phone scrolling, loud eating, talking, and flash photography. TikTok creators and regular viewers describe phones as the 'worst offender,' while experts point to post-Covid changes in social norms and the blurring of home viewing habits into public spaces. Cinema chains Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Everyman maintain policies against disturbances but acknowledge the issue persists.
An analysis of the tech industry's adoption of lowercase writing, sparked by Jack Dorsey's all-lowercase email announcing 4,000 layoffs at Block. The author explores how this casual style serves as a display of power and privilege, allowing those in unassailable positions to appear effortlessly casual while subordinates cannot afford such informality. The piece also critiques annoying email habits including 'tks' signoffs and single-emoji replies.
