Socially Correct: How to Handle Sticky Social Situations

You arrive at a cocktail party and find another woman is wearing your dress.
Of course you'll be looking more fabulous, so if the woman with great taste in clothes comes your way, stop her and tell her you like her dress. Most likely she'll be gracious and you'll share a good laugh. If she looks at you like you're crazy and keeps walking, laugh it off and keep it moving. Grace over ignorance any day.

You are chatting with a group and someone makes a negative comment about what will happen if a black man becomes president.
Politely remind them that the country is diverse and it is ignorance that prevents our country from progressing and move away.

You're on a date with a great guy and as he leans in to kiss you, you get a dose of his hideous breath.
Smile sweetly and go for his cheek, then mention that he could use a mint or two. If it's really bad, you have to decide if you're really interested in this man. If so, you may have to hint around to him handling his halitosis issue if he wants another date.

You run into an acquaintance and they call you by another name without breaking stride they can't remember how they know you.
Say, "Hey, oh I'm__________________, we met at_____________________" and go from there. I'm bad with names but I always remember faces so if I approach someone, I ask them their name graciously and they usually don't have a problem telling me.

An attractive guy catches your eye but you don't know how to approach him.
If possible, get close to him and strike up a conversation. I've found that if a guy is already checking you out, approaching him is easy to do. He's already given you a sign he's interested, but he may be intimidated. Make him laugh. This can ease the tension in a social setting.

At your bridal shower, you open a gift from a close friend and you hate it.
No matter what, keep smiling. If it's truly bad, everyone in the room will let her know it. If she tries to justify it let her, but the chances are if everyone else hates it, she knows you do to. Hopefully, she'll get the hint and offer to buy you something else--or a gift card.

You're out to dinner with your man and while you're seated at the table, the woman next to you is talking loudly on her cell phone.
We all know some people are just plain rude so you have to be careful how you approach them. Give her "the look" first. What's the look? The expression on your face when you show you're clearly irritated but it isn't obvious. Cut your eyes a bit, keep your lips press together, and let your nose flare. (Sounds crazy but it works) If she doesn't get it, ask politely to tone it down, or if you're a little scared, ask the waiter. If she continues, ask to be moved. Who needs all the drama.

You show up at a party over/under dressed and everyone is looking at you like you took the last canape.
If you're really uncomfortable, leave and change. The first thing I ask when I receive and invite is "What's the dress code?" There's nothing worse than wearing jeans when everyone else has on dresses. Apologize to the host, hell lie if you have to about not having time to change or say you just got off an airplane.

A friend has gotten a little too tipsy and is making a fool of herself.
Take her by the hand, escort her to the restroom, and scold her like your mother would if you had broken her favorite China dish. Because the company you keep determines the trouble you meet, you don't want people thinking less of you because of your friend's behavior. While I could care less what people think, I'm not crazy enough to let someone else make me look bad.