Every week in the Telegraph Journal, Jay Remer answers your etiquette queries and solves our province's particular and occasionally peculiar cultural quandaries. Look for the column each weekend in Salon.

► Saturday January 16th, 2010 - Good etiquette to avoid scents
Entering old houses sometimes reminds me of visiting favourite relatives in my younger days. It's welcoming to walk into a home greeted by the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread or simmering chicken soup...

► Saturday January 9th, 2010 - Self-care for a healthy 2010
One of the more common wishes for friends each new year is that for good health. As with so many perfunctory remarks, it often carries sincere yet somewhat shallow meaning...

► Saturday January 2nd, 2010 - A resolution, and a plan, to achieve goals
Why is it that often New Year's resolutions fall short of our good intentions?

► Saturday December 26th, 2009 - A true gift has no strings attached
Holidays are times when we express our love for one another by exchanging gifts...

► Saturday December 19th, 2009 - Respect all creatures this holiday season
At this busy time of year it is important to remember all of our loved ones, including the pets and animals in our lives. We too often take for granted the many roles animals fulfill...

► Saturday August 15, 2009 - Finger food conundrum
This is a time of year when we tend to eat more with our hands than usual, at least here in the Western world...

► Saturday August 8, 2009 - Hosts, guests and intruders
Summer is a season when people travel to visit friends and family as well as make new acquaintances along the way...

► Saturday August 1, 2009 - Room for tradition at informal weddings
When asked what essential elements I would recommend be included in a wedding of today, I thought about how incorporating traditions is an ideal way to help structure a contemporary wedding...

► Saturday July 25, 2009 - Avoid deadly dinner table conversation
What do you think of the emerging practice of asking guests to contribute something by going around the table asking for input?...

► Saturday July 18, 2009 - Thoughtful guest lists make for gracious dinner parties
Dinner parties are times when friends and family get together to have fun, meet new people and try the latest recipes...

► Saturday July 11, 2009 - Neat and tidy and all buttoned up
Someone recently suggested to me on separate occasions that, one, I should practice what I preach, and, two, that I should become a butler...

► Saturday July 04, 2009 - Common courtesy as a daily practice
Do you ever feel like you don't have the time or energy to be available to others as readily you would like to be?...

► Saturday June 27, 2009 - Exercise mindful consideration on vacation
Whether you are planning on being a guest of friends or family, staying at a resort, celebrating an annual family reunion or other long-awaited get-together, the operative word is planning...

► Saturday June 20, 2009 - Fatherly advice from great men
The origins of Father's Day are less clear than Mother's Day. But for the sake of fun, let's call this the 99th anniversary of the day it was observed for the first time...

► Saturday June 13, 2009 - Self-respect, responsibility make a civil society
Over time, in this column, I have discussed various aspects of etiquette, emphasizing that respect is the foundation on which all etiquette and good manners is based...

► Saturday May 16, 2009 - Two women keep things in proper balance
Once again we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of both Queen Victoria and of Queen Elizabeth II this weekend...

► Saturday May 9, 2009 - Gratitude for those who nurture
This Sunday is the glorious day of the year when we celebrate motherhood...

► Saturday May 2, 2009 - A milestone justified with celebration
Before you know it, graduation day will be here. Some students will leave high school to enter a university, college or perhaps the job market...

► Saturday April 25, 2009 - Out of the mouths of the unthinking
I find it fascinating how messages come to us in direct proportion to how badly we need to receive them...

► Saturday March 28, 2009 - Fair gaming on April Fool's Day
For this week's column, I decided to ferret out a couple of little known facts about April 1 and relate them to etiquette... [read the column]

► Saturday March 21, 2009 - A time for revitalization, renewal and respect
I think we would agree that spring came none too soon... [read the column]

► Saturday March 14, 2009 - Celebrating traditions o' the Irish
In this short column I will point out a few interesting facts, myths and traditions for St. Patrick's Day... [read the column]

► Saturday March 7, 2009 - Hats off to proper use of language
I love wearing hats. Although I don't wear baseball caps, I do remember when this modern-day fad was born... [read the column]

► Saturday February 28, 2009 - Thank you notes and fun winter teas
A reader sent me this note recently and it offers a couple of ideas to brighten up these seemingly endless winter days... [read the column]

► Saturday February 21, 2009 - A show of caring for ourselves and others
How could I not have a column on dogs just after the Westminster dog show?... [read the column]

► Saturday February 14, 2009 - Feb. 14, a date not to be forgotten
I love the tradition of Valentine's Day cards, which are often sent to people in secret, leaving the recipient wondering with anticipation who had sent the greeting... [read the column]

► Saturday January 31, 2009 - No need to play the blame game
I am often asked questions that revolve around guilt and blame... [read the column]

► Saturday January 24, 2009 - More civility on the roads
As I was sitting at my desk watching the snow fall, I thought that a column addressing etiquette for the road was a good idea... [read the column]

► Saturday January 17, 2009 - Patience, respect integral to the etiquette of funerals
I recently spent a couple of hours at a local funeral parlour speaking with the funeral director and his staff. We discussed, among other things, receiving lines and how long it can take to navigate them... [read the column]

► Saturday January 10, 2009 - Respect goes a long way when travelling
Winter travel is often more challenging than travel during the warmer months... [read the column]

► Saturday January 3, 2009 - The gift of giving without strings
Christmas is a magical time of year and the exchange of gifts is a tradition which many people observe... [read the column]

► Saturday December 27, 2008 - Resolve to be better
I have never kept a resolution before. Many years I don't make one at all, let alone the long list some people strive for... [read the column]

► Saturday December 20, 2008 - Put your setting in its place
One of the great traditions at this time of year is a festive holiday meal. While the meal varies from one family to the next, traditions persist within each one... [read the column]

► Saturday December 13, 2008 - Goats and other great gifts
I am often asked, "What do I give to someone who has everything?"... [read the column]

► Saturday December 6 , 2008 - Pass along the gift of gratitude
I was lucky enough to spend American Thanksgiving this year with my partner's family in Connecticut... [read the column]

► Saturday November 29 , 2008 - Cheers to good wine!
have studied wine for many years. The protocols for wine selection, pouring, tasting and pairing with various foods are complex... [read the column]

► Saturday November 22, 2008 - Say it with gifts
I have been fielding a lot of questions lately related to gift giving and the economic downturn we are experiencing... [read the column]

► Saturday November 15, 2008 - Leaders in etiquette, not quite
was privileged to attend the recent Ideas Festival here in St. Andrews. It was a remarkable few days as I had the chance to meet an amazing array of leaders in fields such as journalism, filmmaking, publishing, music, corporate leadership, education and politics... [read the column]

► Saturday November 8, 2008 - Tips for the wait staff
A reader sent me this interesting question about how to handle poor service... [read the column]

► Saturday November 1, 2008 - Don't ask for ketchup
Being a gracious guest is very important. Preparing a meal for friends and family is time-consuming and expensive... [read the column]

► Saturday October 25, 2008 - Teach etiquette early
Not teaching children how to behave properly does them a huge disservice as they reach adulthood... [read the column]

► Saturday October 18, 2008 - In the spirit of Halloween
One of my fondest memories as a child is Halloween. This first memory meant carving a pumpkin... [read the column]

► Saturday October 11, 2008 - The call for manners
The tone of one's voice says a lot about your frame of mind... [read the column]

► Saturday October 4th, 2008 - The loss of grammar in this, the instant age
Office etiquette is a big topic and an important part of the efficiency and atmosphere of our busy work days... [read the column]

► Saturday September 27th, 2008 - The origins of etiquette
So where did all these rules for good manners and proper etiquette originate? That was a question recently asked of me by the father of a close friend of mine... [read the column]

► Saturday September 20, 2008 - The joy of praise
I was recently playing a friendly round of golf with a gentleman for whom I have great respect. We discuss my columns from time to time and, as he has a genuine interest in proper etiquette and protocol, he suggested a topic... [read the column]

► Saturday September 13th, 2008 - Say thank you, often
Six months have come and gone since my first column on etiquette was published. I am grateful for all the positive feedback I've received as well as ideas for additional columns. So I am taking this opportunity to say thank you... [read the column]

► Saturday September 6th, 2008 - Be nice to the planet
Why did it take me more than six months of writing etiquette columns to think of the most important topic I could address... [read the column]

► Saturday August 23rd, 2008 - The highs and lows of tea
Taking tea with my grandmother was a special treat for me and a tradition that I remember as far back as any in my childhood... [read the column]

► Saturday August 16th, 2008 - Don't ask for gifts on the invite
An invitation to a wedding is one of the most personal invitations we receive. In most cases a lot of care has gone into the design and wording... [read the column]

► Saturday August 9th, 2008 - A wedding is in the details
Summer is one time of year when weddings are the talk of the town. I am personally helping with two this month... [read the column]

► Saturday August 2nd, 2008 - What a waiter shouldn't do
I recently received this letter from a reader and thought it would make the basis for a good column on fine dining... [read the column]

► Saturday July 26th, 2008 - Hold court as a good sport
This year's Wimbledon was one of the most thrilling tennis tournaments of all time, especially the men's and women's finals... [read the column]

► Saturday July 19th, 2008 - Civility rules on the road too
The cost of driving has skyrocketed in the past year and there seems to be no end in sight... [read the column]

► Saturday July 12th, 2008 - Practise civility while travelling; it's contagious
I recently received this letter from a reader from the U.S. and am reprinting it here, as well as my answer to it... [read the column]

► Saturday July 5th, 2008 - Flying is not what it used to be
recently flew to Portland, Ore., for a Speakers Training Camp. It was held at Skamania Lodge in the Columbia River gorge... [read the column]

► Saturday June 28th, 2008 - Guesting at the camp
After a long hard winter, many people are heading out to their summer cottages for two or three months of warm weather and recreation with family and friends... [read the column]

► Saturday June 21st, 2008 - Good fences do make good neighbours
I have always been fascinated by architectural restorations and renovations. A preservationist at heart, I approach each project with an eye to retaining... [read the column]

► Saturday June 14th, 2008 - A bid for civility
Auctions have been a part of my life for 35 years... [read the column]

► Saturday June 7th, 2008 - Banning plumber's butt and the stripe
I have been asked by three different people within the last week to address how people dress... [read the column]

► Saturday May 31st, 2008 - When the neighbours get too neighbourly
I have recently been approached by two families concerning a problem with neighbours... [read the column]

► Saturday May 24th, 2008 - Here's a tip for you
One day a few summers ago I was having lunch on the back deck of a local restaurant overlooking the beautiful St. Andrews harbour... [read the column]

► Saturday May 17th, 2008 - What a good dog owner
One of the great things about this wonderful town of St. Andrews is the amazing number of purebred dogs I see being walked all over town. Mind you, the mixed breed dogs are equally fascinating... [read the column]

► Saturday May 10th, 2008 - Happy Mother's Day
Tomorrow marks the 100th celebration of Mother's Day in Canada... [read the column]

► Saturday May 3rd, 2008 - Let's tee it up
Now that spring has officially arrived in St. Andrews, with the snow having finally melted away, many of us turn our thoughts to one of the world's most civilized games - golf... [read the column]

► Saturday April 26th, 2008 - Please be seated
Enjoying the camaraderie of one's friends and family around a dinner table is often considered one of life's greatest pleasures... [read the column]

► Saturday April 19th, 2008 - Graduating with class
Now that spring has arrived, some people have turned their attention to upcoming graduation ceremonies and associated celebratory parties... [read the column]

► Saturday April 12th, 2008 - Put settings in their place
A couple of years ago, I received a phone call from a lady in St. Andrews asking if I might be willing to teach a short class in table manners at a local church to some youth... [read the column]

► Saturday April 5th, 2008 - To BYOB - or not
A reader recently asked me an interesting question. He wanted to know if he invites someone to a dinner party at his house and the guest arrives with a bottle of wine, is he obliged to open the bottle and share it with the other guests... [read the column]

► Saturday March 29th, 2008 - You did what with your napkin?
Having managed a fine dining restaurant for eight years, I always had a distinct vantage point from which to watch people dine... [read the column]

► Saturday March 22nd, 2008 - Park swords at door for Easter supper
Easter is very early this year. But do you realize just how early it is? In fact, it hasn't been this early since 1913... [read the column]

► Saturday March 15th, 2008 - How to eat with your hands
I have heard tell of the glory days at Katy's Cove in St. Andrews, where lobster salad was served as a delectable lunch... [read the column]

► Saturday March 8th, 2008 - Charlotte County delicacies
One chilly afternoon several years ago, there was a birthday celebration at the Bayside Community Hall, just outside St. Andrews-by-the-Sea... [read the column]