Portrait of Lord Melvyn Bragg, host of In Our Time

Etiquette

Etiquette (/ˈɛtikɛt, -kɪt/) can be defined as a set of norms of personal behavior in polite society, usually occurring in the form of an ethical code of the expected and accepted social behaviors that accord with the conventions and norms observed and practiced by a society, a social class, or a social group. In modern English usage, the French word étiquette (label and tag) dates from the year 1750 and also originates from the French word for "ticket," possibly symbolizing a person’s entry into society through proper behavior.

2 episodes

Episodes in this category also belong to the following categories:

  1. Civility: talking with those who disagree with you

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss ideas about the best aspects of civility (and the worst) from the Renaissance to today as explored by Hobbes, Williams, Locke and Rawls.

    03 July 2025

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    Featuring: Teresa Bejan, Phil Withington, John Gallagher

     
  2. Politeness

    Melvyn Bragg discusses politeness, the revolution in manners that transformed the social scene in eighteenth century Britain.  

    30 September 2004

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    Featuring: Amanda Vickery, David Wootton, John Mullan