ask the MB

Not sure if you should wear that Tommy Bahama shirt out tonight? The magnificent bastard is here to help. Go ahead. Ask away.

channels

channel: etiquette
  • Jonas Brothers pioneer

    Jonas Brothers pioneer "dressy casual"

    Ask the MB: Dressy Casual Attire

    Q: Is "dressy casual" a girlie thing? I'm having a film premiere and want to put something on the invitation to indicate some level of expectation for the guests. It's not a formal event, but I don't want people showing up in work jeans and Uggs.
    --Sam


    A: Sam, you're not going to like our answer but we're strongly opposed to any invitation with sartorial guidelines that don't include both the words "black" and "tie," especially something as oxymoronic as "dressy casual." (To our ear, "dressy casual" is a dangerous invitation to popped collars and banana-colored capri pants -- not to mention coral sneakers and mom's leggings -- and should be avoided at all costs.)

    MBs don't concern themselves with what their guests wear, rather, important things within their control, like whether or not they ordered enough booze. We'll be looking for our invite, and we like Dewar's.

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    posted:

    1.27.10

    filed under:

  • Ask the MB: Wedding Etiquette

    Ask the MB: Wedding Etiquette

    Q: Etiquette question: I've been invited to the wedding and bachelor party of a friend from college. I can't make the wedding (another, better friend is getting married a week later. I can only afford one cross country flight.) Is it poor taste to attend just the (local) bachelor party? Also: I've only received a "Save the Date" from the bride. Should I contact them now or wait for the invitation and the RSVP?
    --Mike


    A: Mike, this is a sticky situation, but we've got a solution:

    Option A: Telling the truth. Pleading poverty is very un-MB, so don't do it.

    Option B: Not attending. You'll have to come up with another Emily Post-sounding excuse not to attend the bachelor party. Which leaves the only logical choice:

    Option C: Get disinvited from the wedding. Have a wicked good time at the bachelor party, take a bunch of pictures and post them Facebook. Then "accidentally" unblock them. Oops! It was an honest mistake! Plus it takes care of that wedding "Save the Date" / RSVP situation.

    It's acceptable to send a gift.

    -
    posted:

    2.9.09

    filed under:

  • McCain Learning How to Properly Shake Hands

    McCain Learning How to Properly Shake Hands

    John McCain may not know how to use a computer, but one of his staffers clearly does because he took our advice and shook hands how hands are meant to be shaken: look the other fella right in the eye.

    -
    posted:

    10.8.08

    filed under:

  • How Not to Shake Hands, by John McCain

    How Not to Shake Hands, by John McCain

    No matter how much contempt you have for someone, or how uppity you think they are, when shaking hands a Magnificent Bastard always looks the other guy directly in the eye.

    -
    posted:

    9.29.08

    filed under: