Etiquette Expert Answers Etiquette Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

Etiquette expert William Hanson joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about proper manners and polite behavior. Why is “no elbows on the table” a rule? Is there a proper way to stir tea? Or cut a piece of cheese from a charcuterie board? Who decides what proper table etiquette is? Why should we even care about etiquette in the first place? Etiquette expert William Hanson answers these questions and many more on Etiquette Support.

Director: Anna O'Donohue
Director of Photography: James Fox
Editor: Richard Trammell
Expert: William Hanson
Waitress: Isabel Fraser
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Isabel Fraser
Production Manager: Peter Brunette
Production Coordinator: Rhyan Lark
Talent Booker: Nicholas Sawyer
Camera Operator: Stephen Ley
Sound Mixer: Mark Cheffins
Production Assistant: Jack Haynes
Post Production Supervisor: Christian Olguin
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael; JC Scruggs
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell

0:00 Etiquette Time
0:15 Why no elbows on the table?
0:51 The proper way to stir tea
1:14 Cheese for charcuterie
1:50 How do you eat your peas?
2:22 Cheers?
2:44 Why does etiquette matter?
3:12 Coded silverware
4:00 Mind if I interrupt?
4:25 Sending back opened wine
4:51 Burgers
5:14 Difference between US/Britain
6:04 Proper spaghet
6:42 The ultimate no-no
7:02 Fashionably late, oui?
7:57 The great reclining seat debate
8:40 Exit the conversation
9:05 Check please!
9:34 Your majesty
10:00 Offer your seat if you like
10:27 Hold the door!
10:58 Unwanted house guests


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[Peterbyte]

This man thoroughly enjoyed breaking almost every single rule just for an example

[griffinina]

As an Asian, it just doesn't make sense to struggle eating peas with fork when clearly it is meant to be eaten with spoon.

[chriskershaw]

"They [...] clearly have strong opinions on this." ...the sheer elegance of delivery!

[lexihenny]

"We don't want any clicking, any clapping, or any flapping about" is a most excellent sentence

[Bulldogg]

An unmentioned rule: He speaks with volume and clarity to the camera, but gently and quietly when addressing the waiter. Not quite a whisper, just slightly above.

[luislaracuente]

Isn't it rude towards Anna to have her suffer in our stead listening to horoscope ramble? Shout out to Anna, the real MVP.

[theoriginalbuggins]

My dad, born 1917, solidly middle-class, had a rule: all joints on the table will be carved! He also tended to tap any misplaced elbows with the carver-steel, which left an impression!

[mimble]

11:00 In America, the proper etiquette for indicating to guests that they've overstayed their welcome is to take a deep breath, lean forward in your seat, give the tops of both your knees or thighs a firm clap, and say, "Welp!" while standing. You may follow this with a statement such as: "I gotta get some rest, " or, "Busy day tomorrow."

[leslieroycroft]

“Uh can I just stop you there? Your trousers are alight.”-I’ll be using this now to interrupt someone who is lying.

[Phroggols]

This guy looks like he would see me walking in the park and mutter “filthy commoner” before spitting on me, 10/10 video

[greatexpectations]

A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is considered a dull affair.

[johnnydoey]

This guy is what Americans typically think of when imagining a British person

[BREAKERisDEAD]

This guy speaks how I expected an etiquette expert to

[Marryjanesbud]

Semi-unrelated but etiquette aside, the
“Please, no & thank you”
bit is SO important in life in general. If you’ve ever been with a narcissist you’ll know what I mean. You have no idea how refreshing / AMAZING it is to hear an “I’m sorry” or “thankyou” after you’ve been with someone who can’t even do that. If you can admit when you’re wrong & show appreciation towards others you are a 10/10 human being.

[rev.rachel]

I dearly love that he quite openly acknowledged the fact that etiquette is culturally-specific. So often, we see people assuming that everyone must follow the same rules as they, regardless of the context or location.

[HeliouHyios]

Q: Why is Etiquette important?
A: Etiquette is important.

Now I know.

[MrCybersnow]

I came in expecting fancy boring

And i got comedic genius

[ninthundertow]

My parents are english but i was born and raised american. Im amazed with how much etiquette i use daily without them having really made a big deal about it. Thanks mother and father.

[Ruth]

Not only he's an etiquette, but also a comedic expert

[jopo]

I'm fairly sure this guy's pajamas have a belt.