Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema

Were You Raised By Wolves?

Society EN ↓ 373 episodes

Editors’ Notes: “I want to give everybody the tools to solve their own etiquette problems,” says Nick Leighton, cohost and producer of Were You Raised by Wolves?, a weekly podcast in which he and cohost Leah Bonnema look into the many sticky social situations we all face. “With each of the questions that we get, from the bonkers to the ordinary, I always try to take a step back and ask, ‘What are the bigger principles here?’ I'm always looking for topics that help us make a larger point.” In each episode, Leighton, a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, and Bonnema, a comic/writer, share pr...

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.wereyouraisedbywolves.com

Author

Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema

Episodes

Decoding "Mountain Formal," Pacifying Picky Houseguests, Sharing Sushi Platters, and More 27.10.2025 26:55

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about decoding what "Mountain Formal" means on a wedding invitation, pacifying picky houseguests, sharing sushi platters, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Q...

Second Helpings: Enjoying a Fika in Sweden, Staying at Bed & Breakfasts, Telling Guests What Not To Bring, and More 20.10.2025 38:15

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle enjoying a fika in Sweden, staying at bed and breakfasts, telling guests what not to bring to your party, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a ha...

Second Helpings: Picking the Correct Utensil for Mac and Cheese, Spelling Like an Australian, Lingering Past Closing Time, and More 13.10.2025 28:11

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back soon with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about picking the correct utensil for mac and cheese, spelling like an Australian, lingering in stores after they're closed, and much more. Plea...

Wiping Fingers With a Yubifuki, Dining at Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Calling Strangers “Pal,” and More 06.10.2025 35:00

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using a yubifuki in sushi restaurants, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, calling strangers "pal," and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: &nb...

Hosting Surprise Houseguests, Correcting Misspelled Signs, Sending Late Sympathy Cards, and More 29.09.2025 27:29

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about hosting surprise houseguests, correcting misspelled signs, sending late sympathy cards, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS...

Discovering Bone Dishes, Enduring Waiting Rooms, Texting Wedding Thank-Yous, and More 22.09.2025 47:04

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using bone dishes, enduring waiting rooms, texting wedding thank-yous, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE:  Bone Dishes A QUESTION OF ETIQ...

Dodging In-Law Requests, Melting Candy Bars in Diapers, Hiding Coffee Truths, and More 15.09.2025 28:13

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about dodging requests from mothers-in-law, playing unfortunate baby shower games, neglecting to disclose when you're serving half-caf coffee, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as...

Using Napkins in Italy, Changing Passwords on Friends, Handing Strangers Your Phone, and More 08.09.2025 41:52

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using paper napkins in Italy, changing streaming service passwords on friends, hanging strangers your phone, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE...

Anniversary Bonus: Holding Teacups Properly, Escaping Boring People, Clapping for Plane Landings, and More 01.09.2025 13:30

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! It's our six year anniversary and we found a never-before-heard episode deep in the archives just for you. In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle the right way to hold teacups, escaping boring people at parties, clapping when airplanes land, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text...

Overreacting to Messy Houseguests, Skipping a Friend’s Wedding, Wiping Down Sticky Trucks, and More 25.08.2025 29:27

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about overreacting to messy houseguests, skipping a close friend's wedding, wiping down sticky trucks, much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS...

Meeting Amy Vanderbilt, Acknowledging Mysterious Gifts, Retrieving Lost Phones, and More 18.08.2025 41:21

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle getting to know Amy Vanderbilt, acknowledging mysterious gifts, retrieving lost phones, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Amy Vanderbilt A QUESTION O...

Rescuing Lost Chips, Taking Over Parties, Correcting People's Pronunciation, and More 11.08.2025 23:54

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about rescuing lost chips, taking over parties, correcting people's pronunciation, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What should you...

Saving Seats in Singapore, Avoiding Unnecessary Meetings, Bringing Your Own Sodas, and More 04.08.2025 40:11

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle saving seats in Singapore, avoiding unnecessary meetings, bringing your own sodas to parties, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Chope-ing in Singapore...

Pouring Water Like Wine, Breaking Up Before Weddings, Tossing Hair on Floors, and More 28.07.2025 37:40

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about pour water like wine, breaking up before weddings, tossing hair on flooors, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: Why was water poure...

Inviting Thirteen Guests, Attending Pool Parties, Hogging Laundry Machines, and More 21.07.2025 39:20

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle inviting thirteen guests to dinner, attending pool parties, hogging laundry machines in apartment buildings, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Thirteen d...

Second Helpings: Demanding Birthday Cake, Putting Time Limits on Meals, Getting Nosy at the Pharmacy, and More 14.07.2025 27:54

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about demanding birthday cake, putting time limits on meals, getting nosy at the pharmacy, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you...

Second Helpings: Showing Up Empty-Handed, Riding French Elevators, Having Nice Weekends, and More 07.07.2025 36:02

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back soon with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle showing up at dinner parties empty-handed, riding elevators in France, being unapologetic about having nice weekends, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send y...

Abandoning Dinner Guests, Running Into Former Students, Singing Happy Birthday, and More 30.06.2025 31:11

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about abandoning dinner guests, running into former students, singing happy birthday, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: How would you rea...

Responding to Invitations, Enjoying Tennis, Dipping French Fries, and More 23.06.2025 47:19

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle responding to invitations formally, watching and playing tennis, dipping french fries, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Formally responding to invitations...

Brushing Teeth in Airports, Taking Dessert from Buffets, Handling Unwanted Vacation Guests, and More 16.06.2025 32:04

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about brushing your teeth in airport bathrooms, taking desserts from buffets, handling unwanted vacation guests, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILD...

Flipping Over Cutlery, Making Friends in Kindergarten, Choosing Cup Holders, and More 09.06.2025 41:14

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle flipping over cutlery, making friends in kindergarten, choosing cup holders at sporting events, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Reversing cutlery on the ta...

Mowing Lawns Without Asking, Coordinating Invitation Responses, Dressing for Theme Weddings, and More 02.06.2025 39:47

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about mowing laws without asking, coordinating invitation responses, dressing for theme weddings, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What do w...

Second Helpings: Crashing White House Weddings, Stealing Flowers From Neighbors, Charging Phones In Public, and More 26.05.2025 44:29

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle crashing White House weddings, stealing flowers from neighbors, charging phones in public, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank...

Playing Duck Duck Goose, Sending Out-of-Office Emails, Taking Free Food Samples, and More 19.05.2025 43:04

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle playing Duck Duck Goose in Minnesota, sending out-of-office emails, taking free food samples, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: Duck Duck Grey Duck A QUESTION...

Pulling Out Chairs, Sharing Photos with AI, Making Unreasonable Demands, and More 12.05.2025 32:43

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about pulling out chairs for others, sharing photos with AI, making unreasonable demands, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠ QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What do you do when...