Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema

Were You Raised By Wolves?

Society EN ↓ 359 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...

Author

Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema

Episodes

Ignoring Spouses on Airplanes, Sipping From Cocktail Straws, Using Napkins Outdoors, and More 27.01.2025 25:18

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about ignoring spouses on airplanes, sipping from cocktail straws, using napkins outdoors, 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: Is it bonkers to not s...

Ordering Espresso in Italy, Asking for a Raise, Deflecting Rude Questions, and More 20.01.2025 39:21

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle ordering espresso in Italy, asking for a raise politely, deflecting rude questions, 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: Ordering espresso in Italy A QUESTION OF ETIQUE...

Remembering Wedding Anniversaries, Throwing Yourself Parties, Examining Other People's Zippers, and More 13.01.2025 28:24

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about remembering wedding anniversaries, throwing yourself housewarming parties, examining other people's zippers, 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...

Second Helpings: Eating Cake With Ice Cream, Behaving in Movie Theaters, Cutting Nails in Public, and More 06.01.2025 36:02

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 eating cake with ice cream, behaving in movie theaters, cutting nails in public, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note...

Second Helpings: Buttering Bread Properly, Going on First Dates, Ringing Bells for Service, and More 30.12.2024 43:18

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 buttering bread properly, going on first dates, ringing bells for service, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could...

Second Helpings: Blasting Holiday Lights, Announcing Weddings in Holiday Cards, Reciprocating Expensive Gifts, and More 23.12.2024 28:18

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 blasting holiday lights, announcing weddings in holiday cards, reciprocating expensive gifts, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send...

Celebrating Christmas With Fried Chicken, Tipping in Coffee Shops, Showing Gratitude for Gifts, and More 16.12.2024 38:58

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle celebrating Christmas in Japan with fried chicken, tipping in coffee shops, showing gratitude for gifts, 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: KFC for Christmas in Japan...

Gifting Frozen Vegetables, Enjoying Public Restrooms, Obsessing Over Necklaces, and More 09.12.2024 28:20

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about gifting frozen vegetables, enjoying public restrooms, obsessing over necklaces, 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: Our neighbors gave us a bag...

Experiencing Lucha Libre, Perfecting Guest Rooms, Spying On Neighbors, and More 02.12.2024 44:26

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle experiencing Lucha Libre, perfecting guest rooms, spying on neighbors, 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: Lucha Libre A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: The perfect guest room...

Hiding From Window Washers, Riding in Rental Cars, Lowering Toilet Lids, and More 25.11.2024 25:47

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about hiding from window washers, riding in rental cars, lowering toilet seat lids, 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 do when your...

Second Helpings: Mistaking Customers for Employees, Forgetting Previous Introductions, Washing Dishes Before Returning, and More 18.11.2024 21:55

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 mistaking customers for store employees, forgetting you've been introduced before, washing dishes before returning them, and much mor...

Surviving Burning Man, Staring at Tattoos, Sending Extra Holiday Cards, and More 11.11.2024 41:44

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle going to Burning Man, staring at tattoos, sending extra holiday 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 EPISODE CONTENTS AMUSE-BOUCHE: FBI Hostage Negotiation Tips A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Burni...

Handling Stray Hairs, Backing out of Dinner Parties, Tipping for Strangers, and More 04.11.2024 26:09

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about handling stray hairs, backing out of dinner parties, tipping for strangers, 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 I do if my curly ha...

Sitting on Suitcases, Going on Ghost Tours, Being Disappointed by Mahi-Mahi, and More 28.10.2024 44:02

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle sitting on suitcases before a trip, going on ghost tours, being disappointed by mahi-mahi, 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: Sitting on suitcases A QUESTION OF ETIQU...

Picking People's Brains, Dividing Group Gifts Fairly, Whittling Excessive Guest Lists, and More 21.10.2024 33:12

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about picking people's brains, dividing group gifts fairly, whittling down excessive guest lists, 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: Should you tell...

Second Helpings: Squeezing Grapefruits, Paying for Damaged Pans, Photographing Great Danes, and More 14.10.2024 38:08

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 eating grapefruits, paying for damaged pans, photographing Great Danes in public, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note...

Savoring Soufflés, Responding to Condolence Notes, Keeping Cutlery at Buffets, and More 07.10.2024 45:27

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle savoring soufflés properly, responding to condolence notes, keeping cutlery at buffets, 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: Soufflés A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Respondi...

Avoiding Dance Videos, Roaming Around in Robes, Enforcing Coaster Usage, and More 30.09.2024 23:35

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about avoiding dance videos, roaming around B&Bs in robes, enforcing coaster usage in one's home, 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: Is it rude...

Crossing the Equator, Going Apple Picking, Deciphering Bathroom Signs, and More 23.09.2024 37:34

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle crossing the equator, going apple picking, deciphering bathroom signs, 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: Crossing the Line Ceremony A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Apple P...

Passing Along Discounts, Letting Toilets Mellow, Avoiding Wearing Black Tie, and More 16.09.2024 33:01

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about passing along discounts, letting toilets mellow, avoiding requests to wear black tie, 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: If someone gives you...

Managing Multiple Chopsticks, Behaving at Baggage Claims, Whining About Wedding Menus, and More 09.09.2024 37:13

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle managing multiple pairs of chopsticks, behaving at baggage claims, complaining about wedding menus, 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: Using two sets of chopsticks in...

Second Helpings: Feeling Obligated to Babysit, Serving Sliced Lemons, Fixing Friends' Typos, and More 02.09.2024 26:06

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 feeling obligated to babysit for a neighbor, serving sliced lemons at a buffet, fixing friends' social media typos, and much more. Pl...

Second Helpings: Verifying Wedding RSVPs, Hogging Restaurant Gift Certificates, Using Hosts' Expensive Bath Products, and More 26.08.2024 27:39

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 verifying wedding RSVPs, hogging restaurant gift certificates, using hosts' expensive bath products, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-y...

Getting Passive-Aggressive with Tissues, Tossing Spoiled Food, Calling Out Rudeness, and More 19.08.2024 27:54

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about putting used tissues in someone's shoes, throwing away spoiled food, telling people they're being rude, 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: If...

Spitting Watermelon Seeds, Behaving While Bowling, Throwing Spoons on Airplanes, and More 12.08.2024 48:48

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle eating watermelon properly, behaving while bowling, throwing spoons on airplanes, 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: Watermelon A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Bowling QUES...