So here are tips to help you remove your foot from your mouth……These come from manners expert Peggy Post……

• Number One: You introduce yourself to someone, and they respond that you’ve met before……Twice! Nobody likes to feel forgotten, so say something like ‘Of course I remember you! I’m just so bad with names!’ If you do remember the person, mention something the two of you talked about the last time you met. If you don’t remember them, wait for them to say their name, then say ‘That’s right! I knew I remembered you!’ And in the future……If there’s any chance you’ve already been introduced to someone, say ‘It’s nice to see you’ instead of ‘it’s nice to meet you.’
• The next conversational faux pas: You badmouth your friend’s ex, and find out a week later they’re back together. You don’t want your nasty comments to ruin your friendship, so say something like ‘I’m sorry I said those things about Tom. I was worried about you and I overreacted. I’m happy the two of you are working things out.’ Chances are, your friend will forgive you. And the next time one of your friends says they’re breaking up with their sweetheart, offer support without slandering their ex……Say something like ‘I’m sorry. Let me know what I can do to help.’
• And a final conversational faux pas: You run into a friend who’s with an older woman. You say ‘Oh this must be your mother!’ when it’s actually her sister. You must do immediate damage control! So say to your friend ‘I’m sorry! You mentioned that you were going out with your mother today, but I thought this lady looked way too young to be her!’ Your friend will probably play along to avoid hurt feelings. And next time, don’t assume things about people you haven’t met……

If you want more tips for keeping your foot out of your mouth, check out the book Emily Post’s Etiquette by Peggy Post……