[SecretAgentMa'am]

Interesting topic. I participate in another forum that's dedicated entirely to etiquette, and I've been amazed at what some people consider "proper etiquette". A lot of the rules of etiquette are incredibly antiquated and some of them are just downright offensive. Personally, I prefer manners to etiquette. Luckily, the two go hand in hand most of the time.

I think it is a good thing to learn the etiquette quirks of a particular culture if you're going to be in contact with people from that culture, but I think most people will understand that someone from a different culture just doesn't know a particular rule of etiquette. It can take years to learn them all.