Formalities are a set of rules and customs that are expected to be followed in certain social situations. CONVENTION is a large gathering of people for a specific purpose, while COOLNESS is the quality of being composed and unemotional. ETIQUETTE is the code of polite behavior in society, and DECORUM is the propriety and good taste in behavior or speech. CEREMONIOUSNESS is the quality of being excessively formal and polite, while FORM is a particular way in which something is done. AUSTERITY is the quality of being austere, or strict and severe in manner, and CUSTOM is a traditional practice or belief. SOPHISTICATION is the quality of being worldly wise and socially refined, while CORRECTNESS is the quality of being accurate and exact. NICETY is the quality of being precise and careful, CEREMONY is a formal event or ritual, RITE is a religious or other solemn CEREMONY, STARCH is a stiffening agent, STIFFNESS is the quality of being rigid, and starchiness is the quality of being stiff and formal.