Inappropriate messages can be eliminated by an automatic etiquette agent which, based on prescribed etiquette rules, initially prevents a communication from being established unless it receives a further authorization from the user. The etiquette rules represent prescribed social characteristics and situations and they may be set by, or customized by the user, an organization to which the user belongs, or a communication service provider. The automatic etiquette agent may question the user on the advisability of establishing a communication, e.g., by presenting a dialog box or voice prompt to the user and receiving a simple affirmation if communication is to be established. Alternatively, the user may be prompted by the automatic etiquette agent to enter a password that clearly indicates the user's assent. In the event that the automatic etiquette agent does not receive the appropriate affirmation of the user's intent, the communication is not established.