The word "luxury" is derived from the Latin word "luxus" meaning abundant.

Today's definition of "luxury" refers to

*very wealthy and comfortable surroundings;

*something desirable but expensive;

*something very pleasant but not really needed in life.

Our goal is to bring you not only luxury, but luxury in good taste and often affordable luxury.

Welcome to our definition of luxury and good taste in the beautiful items we present to you.

Please - we are delighted to have you as our guest - come in and enjoy.

Etiquette fundamentally prescribes and restricts the ways in which people interact with each other, and show their respect for other people by conforming to the norms of society.

Modern etiquette instructs people to :-

Greet relatives, friends and acquaintances with warmth and respect;

Refrain from insults and prying curiosity;

Offer hospitality equally and generously to guests;

Wear clothing suited to the occasion;

Contribute to conversations without dominating them;

Offer assistance to those in need;

Eat neatly and quietly;

Avoid disturbing others with unnecessary noise;

Follow the established rules of an organization upon becoming a member;

Arrive promptly when expected;

Comfort the bereaved;

Respond to invitations promptly;

Accept gifts or favors with humility and gratitude;

Acknowledge gifts or favors with prompt tokens of thanks such as a thank-you card.

Violations of etiquette, if severe, can cause public disgrace, and in private hurt individual feelings, create misunderstandings or real grief and pain, and can even escalate into murderous rage. Many family feuds have their beginnings in trivial etiquette violations that were blown out of proportion.

One can reasonably view etiquette as the minimal politics required to avoid major conflict in polite society, and as such, an important aspect of applied ethics.

In the West, the notion of etiquette, being of French origin and arising from practices at the court of Louis XIV, is occasionally disparaged as old-fashioned or elite, a likecode concerned only with "which fork to use".

Some people consider etiquette to be an unnecessary restriction of freedom of personal expression; others consider such free spirits to be unmannerly and rude.

Hopefully, most feel that a single, basic code shared by all makes life simpler and more pleasant by removing many chances for misunderstandings.

Manners are the unenforced standards of conduct which show the person to be cultured, polite, and refined.

They are like laws in that they codify or set a standard for human behavior, but they are unlike laws in that there is no formal system for punishing transgressions, other than social disapproval. They are a kind of norm.

What is considered "mannerly" is highly susceptible to change with time, geographical location, social stratum, occasion, and other factors.

That manners matter is evidenced by the fact that large books have been written on the subject, advice columns frequently deal with questions of mannerly behavior, and that schools have existed for the sole purpose of teaching manners.

A lady is a term frequently used for a woman who follows proper manners; the term gentleman is used as a male counterpart; though these terms are also often used for members of a particular social class.

Manners ease the stress of communal living, and mannerly behavior recognizes the right of others to share communal space. Many of our daily expressions of politeness reflect this function. Saying "excuse me," for example, shows that you recognize that you have invaded another's space, and regret the necessity of doing so.

It is a basic tenet in law that it is wrongful to cause damages to another. Since there cannot be a law for every slight, daily causing of damage to another, manners serve to at least acknowledge, if not make recompense, for the damage.

Table manners are the etiquette used when eating. This includes the appropriate use of utensils.

Different cultures have different standards for table manners.

Many table manners evolved out of practicality. For example, it is generally impolite to put elbows on tables since doing so creates a risk of tipping over bowls and cups.

The fork is held in your left hand and the knife is held in your right.

You should hold your knife with the handle in your palm and your fork in the other hand with the prongs pointing downwards.

If you're eating a dessert, your fork (if you have one) should be held in the left hand and the spoon in the right.

When eating soup, you should hold your spoon in your right hand and tip the bowl away from you, scooping the soup in movements away from yourself.

It is not acceptable to use your fingers at the table to eat or push food onto your fork. You may, however, eat some foods such as fruit, sandwiches, hamburgers, crisps, chips or pizza with your fingers.

If there are a number of knives or forks, then you should start from the outside set working your way in as each course is served.

Drinks should always be to the right of your plate with the bread roll to the left.

When eating bread rolls, break off a piece before buttering. Use your knife only to butter the bread, not to cut it.

You should not start eating before your host does or instructs you to do so. At larger meals, it is considered okay to start eating once others have been served.

When you're finished, place your knife and fork together at six o'clock with your fork on the left (tines facing up) and knife on the right, with the knife blade facing in. This signals that you are finished.

Your napkin should never be screwed up. Nor should it be folded neatly as that would suggest that your host might plan to use it again without washing it - just leave is neatly but loosely.

Never blow your nose on your napkin. Place it on your lap and use it to dab your mouth if you make a mess.

It is considered rude to answer the telephone at the table. If you need to take an urgent call, excuse yourself and go outside.

Always ask for permission from the host and excuse yourself if you need to leave the table. You should place your napkin on your seat until you return.

If you must leave the table or are resting, your fork should be at eight o'clock and your knife at four o'clock (with the blade inwards). Once an item of cutlery has been used, it should not touch the table again.

The food should be brought to your mouth on the fork; you should sit straight and not lean towards your plate.

Dishes should be served from the right, and taken away from the right. Unless the food is placed on your plate at the table, then it should arrive from the left.

Drinks should be served from the right.

Never lean across somebody else's plate. If you need something to be passed, ask the person closest to it. If you have to pass something, only pass it if you are closest to it and pass it directly to them if you can.

Salt & pepper should be passed together.

Do not take food from a neighbour's plate and don't ask to do so.

You must not put your elbows on the table.

If pouring a drink for yourself, offer to pour a drink for your neighbours before serving yourself.

If extra food is on the table, ask others first if they would like it before taking it yourself.

When chewing food, close your mouth and only talk when you have swallowed it.

Swallow all food before eating more or having a drink.

Do not slurp your food or eat loudly.

Burping or sneezing at the table should be avoided, too.

Never pick food out of your teeth with your fingernails.

Try to eat all the food you are served.

Glasses served in a wine glass or other stemmed-glass should be held at the stem.

Always remember "regular" manners.

Remember to say "please" and "thank you".