Mind Your Manners Monday

Don't make the mistake of presuming that all dates have to end in a big clinch- or

even a little hearty handholding. Girls distrust a boy who's a "grabber"; boys don't

stay interested long in an "easy number."

- Etiquette for Young Moderns

Mind Your Manners Monday

It's back. And hopefully better than ever.

I have a special place in my heart (and bookshelf) for books about manners/ etiquette. So when I saw this book at D.I. last summer, I had to snatch it up.

Especially when I need alot of help with succeeding in my social life!

As I perused the pages, I found some gems. As true today as they were in 1954 (or at least they should be).

What to do in public; on a bus.

"A girl boards the bus before her date does, but the boy gets off ahead of her. This is so he can help her alight- and also catch her pocketbook, scarf, or gloves, should they fall.

Have your fare ready when you get on. Naturally, a boy pays both his own fare and his date's but a girl who accidentally meets a boy she knows at the bus stop should not expect him to pay her fare. If he insists, though, she should let him pay. Such a small amount isn't worth a traffic-blocking argument. The girl stands aside while the boy takes care of money matters and waits for him. If the bus is very crowded, though, it's better for her to move back and let him join her later.

As a "healthy young thing" in a crowded bus, you should be glad to offer your seat to an older person who is standing- especially to a woman accompanied by a small child. And, sweet Sue, if a husky Hank beside you stays right where he is, that's all the more reason for you to offer your seat to an elderly person. Hank deserves to be embarrassed when you do!"

Well, I know what I will be doing this weekend. Waiting to "accidentally" meet my husky Hank at the bus stop.

Happy bus riding!

Mind Your Manners Monday

I found a chapter on Mormon wedding etiquette in "Manners Kids Should Know" book. This part was very interesting...
"At this formal ceremony (the temple marriage), the bride wears a white gown and veil even though she's been married (civily) before. Your child should dress up too."

About the reception:
"this may be a large affair, so your child should be prepared to exercise patience."

If only I knew this 63 wedding receptions ago! :)

Mind Your Manners Monday

When at a formal dinner...

*you should not switch place cards to sit beside someone you think would be more fun.

*If there aren't place cards, sit boy, girl, boy, girl.

*A woman sits to the right of a man, and a girl sits to the right of her date. (did they put that last part in just in case your date isn't a man?) Ha!

Monday Manners Moment

Judi- the Manner's lady heard about my challenges with her video last week and decided that was very rude of her. So here she is!

Monday Manners Moment

Will be brought to you today by Judi the Manners Lady!

(as soon as I get home and can access Youtube!)

Because Manners Matter and Character counts!

You know it's going to be good!

Judi has been described as a cross between Martha Stewart, Anthony Robbins,

Sharon, Lois & Bram… with the musical energy of Britney Spears.

WOW!

Okay- apparently Judi doesn't want to be a guest on my MMM. None of her Youtube videos are working. So click here to enjoy some of her catchy tunes.

Monday Manners Moment

People are stupid. Here is an example of something that is happening right now in my work inbox. I have no idea who any of these people are. It all started with an email that was reminding us to take a survey for work.
**Don't reply to all unless you want all to read your email. **

email 1-
Dear Colleagues,

I know there is so much going on but I do strongly encourage you to take the survey. The county has not had such a survey done countywide in a long time, if ever, and it is important that your opinion is represented.

Sincerely,
Scott

email 2-
Sorry for the error in reply. I have redirected this to my faculty.

Scott

email 3-
Thanks for your help. However, please be sure to hit reply, instead of Reply to all. Everyone is getting this message.

Thanks!

email 4-
blank

email 5-
Please don’t reply to all!
Thanks. J

email 6-
Not sure why I'm on this email list. Please take me off when you get a chance. Thanks!

email 7-
I tried to do it and could not get to the website, even though I repeatedly typed it correctly.

Sheryl

email 8-
Just click on the link below. It works. I just tried it.

email 9-
I did the survey last week.

Theresa

email 10-
This is getting crazy! My box is so full. Please just reply to one person!

Rose

email 11-
Please don’t include me = I completed mine last week.
I get messages every 5 min.
E. Williams

Petra – how can I stop this!!
Thanks
Eretha

email 12-
please remove me as well, thank you, or stop using "reply to all"

email 13-
There is a reply and reply ALL button, people. Pay attention to who you WANT to get your emails. :)

email 14-
Please delete me as well. Thank you

I hope that is the last email. But I have a feeling it isn't. Seriously people. COME ON!

nope. one more.

email 15-
Please stop sending these messages to everyone. If you do not know how to take this step, contact your tech support specialist

and another
email 16-
Please stop your emails are going all over the county
Sheila

updated at 3:56- 33 MORE email have been received. Why are people replying to all to tell people to stop replying to all. Sheesh.

Monday Manners Moment (on Tuesday)

Due to a CRAZY Monday- our manners moment will be today- Tuesday.

And I bring to you- blogging etiquette.

When someone tags you, respond appropriately. So here we go.

I was tagged by my college roomie Mikaela...so here we go!

Where were you 10 years ago:

Living large in Rexburg, Idaho. Majoring in Radio Broadcasting. My room roommate I had at that time is having a baby any day now. I have no idea where the other 4 are.

Five things on my to-do list today:

1. work out

2. get package ready to mail to Martha

3. get out of staying for the after school program

4. continue working on my lesson plan organizing

5. clean my room

Five snacks I enjoy:

1. popcorn

2. ice cream

3. carrott sticks (enjoying them as I type)

4. apples

5. oranges

What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire:

I would also take my whole family to Disney World.

Buy a house.

Go to Africa.

Maybe start my own restaurant.

Four of my bad habits:

1. eating carrott sticks while blogging. (ha!)

2. pushing the lock button on my car remote several times just to make sure it is really, truly locked.

3. if something is on sale I tend to buy SEVERAL of them. Like the other day chocolate chips were on sale. So I bought about 8 bags. Anyone want chocolate chip cookies?
4. getting addicted to tv shows. Especially mid season and then watching 2-4 seasons on DVD to catch up. Some of my former/current addictions include: Alias, The Office, Arrested Development, Lost, Veronica Mars... more to come I'm sure. There are a lot of shows I avoid only because I know I will get hooked.

Five jobs that I have had:

1. News Director at KWBH 91.5 FM

2. 411 operator

3. Middle School Teacher

4. Seamstress

5. Phone Book Deliverer

Five things people don't know about me:
(this is getting difficult as I am sure this is about the 4th time I have done this. I apologize if these aren't so exciting.)

1. I've met Harrison Ford's nephew. He went to Ricks College and took my neighbor on a date. She brought him over so we could meet him. He looked just like Harrison but with blond hair.

2. I am a recycler. I recycle everything I can. I take my plastic bags back to the store. I use cloth bags when I grocery shop. I recycle ALL paper, plastic, glass & metal products. When I see something in the garbage that should be recycled I will pick it out (within reason of course). It bugs me when people don't recycle.

3. I really like shows like 20/20, Dateline, etc. Unless they are the dumb "To Catch a Predator" or scary ones about unsolved murders. A few weeks ago they had a story about the happiest people in the world. Did you know that Canadians are more happier than Americans. Interesting. They also had one where they guy drove to see how far he could go with his gas light on. It was pretty far. I almost did that this weekend but chickened out.

4.OnStar commercials make me cry. Not necessarily the ones about people who lock their keys in their car. But the good ones about children calling about their mom having a seizure or crashes where they can't move their legs.

5. My laugh changes every year or so. I don't know why or how. But my laugh now is completely different than my laugh 10 years ago. Weird I know. It always has been loud though. Once some friends claimed to have heard me laughing in my apartment all the way across a street and parking lot in their apartment. All windows were closed.

Now I must tag 5 people!

I tag....everyone that read this that has a blog :)

Monday Manners Moment

Back by popular demand.... well actually back because 2 people FINALLY asked what happened to MMM!

I am currently bidding on a few items on ebay so I wondered if there was ebay etiquette. Imagine my delight when I found this gem. I REALLY want to go to Disney World sometime soon so this has really helped me learn how to prepare my pin collection for the big trip! :) Enjoy. (I don't know why the font sizes are all funky. Sorry.)

(it is titled) "Some folks have more dollars than sense."

(This made me chuckle because it is TRUE. It also reminds me of my Mom when she tells my sister she has more money than brains. Hopefully one day she will be able to say that to me! Ha! It's going to take awhile because I sure do have a LOT of brains. )

When I first got into Disney pin collecting, I wasted lots of money getting caught up in the hoopla of it all. (Who doesn't?) I freely traded pins I had paid full price for, and traded away pins of value for useless junk. Though I'm still learning, after several years I've learned some tips that may save you some dollars.

Inside the Park Tips

• When going to Disneyland or Walt Disney World (and for you lucky few going to Tokyo, Hong Kong or Paris, those parks), prepare in advance. That's pretty obvious, since you're on eBay right now, looking for pins. Purchasing lots of pins off of eBay to use as traders with Cast Members and not paying the $7.95 to $15 per pin that new pins cost in the parks is a huge savings. Pins can be found for $1-$2 per pin in groups. Cast Members have Lanyard pins - pins that cannot be bought in the parks and can only be traded for off of a Cast Member's lanyard. Concentrate on finding those pins, as well as pins on your wants list. (See my article, "Disney Pin Scam: Avoiding Scrapper & Bootleg Rip-Offs" for details.)
• Cast Members with lanyards are required to trade with Guests, as long as the pin you have is not already on their lanyard...and that brings up a point. Certain pins have SO flooded the eBay market that almost every CM lanyard has one. People buy these duplicates for cut-rate prices on eBay, but are then disappointed when they are unable to freely trade them.
  
• Cast Members with green lanyards only trade with children...if you have kids, this is a great way to let them have fun. (Because where else can you let them have fun at Disney World?) Of course, they can trade with anyone, but CMs with green lanyards are usually less swamped with others searching their lanyards.
• Just because you don't see a lanyard on a Cast Member doesn't mean they're not trading...look on their belts for rectangular trading boards (about 5 inches by 8 inches). It's a great alternative for CMs who don't want a lanyard hanging around their neck (or for female CMs who get tired of guys staring at their chests all day long).
  
• Don't be afraid to approach any person with a lanyard - Cast Member or Guest. If they're wearing a lanyard, they may be willing to trade. (While Cast Members are required to trade with you, Guests are NOT.) The worst thing they can do is to turn you down. Always follow the rules of etiquette for pin trading when approaching a Guest or CM.

Who knew there is a whole pin trading world out there? If you want to learn more (and who doesn't), go here. I wonder if the garbage picker uppers get to trade pins too. I was once offered a job to pick up garbage at Disney World (or DW as us hip folks say). Yup. Because I was dumb and said in my interview "I would be the happiest person alive if I could pick up garbage at Disney World." I am still kicking myself today... for not taking the job. :)

Monday Manners Moment

Please don't smoke. It won't make you more polite. It will actually make you smell, poor and die young. I just thought it was funny and reminded me of home, eh?

Monday Manners Moment

This video is a little lengthy (10 minutes) but it has some great ideas about what to do on a date! I hope the love of my life is taking notes. I too think weenie roasts are swell! :)

Monday Manners Moment

I apologize from the bottom of my heart for not having manners moments for you the past 2 Mondays. Hopefully I had taught you all enough skills to make it through the holidays with out any etiquette malfunctions. Here are some malfunctions I encountered while on my vacation.

1) Loud talkers. If you are talking to one person then please talk to that one person. Please do not talk loud enough for the ENTIRE plane to hear. Her sons name is Luke, she used to live in Seattle, Luke slept on the whole trip with his Dad to Spokane, yadda, yadda, yadda. And when we landed she called her husband and then put it on speaker so Luke could talk to him... and the whole plane could enjoy that conversation too.

2) Slow people. I was running through the Minneapolis airport trying to catch my last flight. I decided I would qickly grab some food so went to a place where the line didn't seem too long. Little did I know that the couple in front of me were out for a nice Saturday evening meal. they obviously didn't have anywhere to go and forgot (or didn't care) where they were. They held up the food line, the money line and even the napkin line. Pay attention to your surroundings people, and get out of the way of those who might be pressed for time. You are in an AIRPORT for crying out loud.

That is all I can recall at the moment. Not too shabby... but I did spend the rest of my non-airport time in Canada and we all know how polite Canadians are! :)

Here is a quote for you to ponder the rest of the week-
Good manners are a way of making things easier for another person.
- Jeanne Thwaites

(I guess that lady did make it easier for me to hear her conversation...)

Monday Manners Moment

"Don't forward chain emails or jokes (okay, maybe a few jokes). The same goes for emails that have this in the subject line:
FW: Fwd: RE: Fwd: RE: Fwd fwd RE RE: Fwd re fwd:
or look like this:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Why did
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the chicken
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cross
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the road?

What if an email says "Forward this to everyone you know"? That email is not the boss of you. Plus it's probably a hoax- something meant to trick you into believing or doing something dumb."
Amen.

And here is a perfect example. (I deleted about 483 lines of ??, >>> and *)

Pregnancy Test

TRY NOT TO LAUGH ( i didn't believe it, but it works!)
??
??
??
start thinking something you really really want
*
*
*
You have just been visited by SERAH I will grant you one wish. Make your wish when the count down is over.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
MAKE A WISH
>>>
>>>
>>>
repost this with the title "pregnancy test" to throw people off and your wish will come true. If you don't, it will become the opposite

Did you know? before you go to sleep at night there is one person thinking of you. They want you they want to kiss you, They want to be with you they are always thinking about you before they go to sleep at night they are longing to be with you. This is all true not a fake if you repost this to in 5 mins the person that is longing to be with you will approach you in a month and ask you out or grab you and kiss the face off you. But if you break this chain no one will like you or ask you again for 5 years!!!

Post this in the next 200 seconds and you
WILL have
THE best day of your life THIS FRIDAY.
You're number one *love* Will either kiss you, ask you out, or grab you and kiss your face off or kill you !!!! so be ready honey

WHAT? Are you serious! Someone thinks about me before they go to sleep and are longing to be with me?? Well where are they? Hopefully by posting this here it will count and someone will approach me before January 17th and kiss my face off. I can't wait.

Monday Manners Moment

Don't pick your nose in public. Especially in the produce section.

Monday Manners Moment

Today we are going to watch a video.

Please choose the right.

People who do the wrong are NASTY!

Monday Manners Moment...

On Tuesday. I know your Monday was missing something and I am sorry.
Here is your lesson on manners for the week.

Since we all have this in common- some "netiquette" for us all to enjoy.
And I quote "Combine the words net and etiquette and you get netiquette: manners for the way people relate to each other on the Internet. The internet is effective only when people using it know the rules and honor them. (you can thank me later for helping to make the internet a little more effective for us all!) Netiquette is meant to keep Internet activity organized and civilized.... Each person should be careful not to overwhelm the system by sending junk e-mail, by sending or requesting information needlessly, or by repeatedly posting the same message.
Chat rooms are meant to be visited by people who think similarly and who want to learn more from each other. If your child doesn't like cats, for example, (this is my favorite part) he shouldn't visit a feline fans chat room and say every negative thing he can about cats. (is this a common problem?)
If your child doesn't keep his interactions on the Internet positive, others will enforce netiquette (darn right we will). He might be "flamed" (flooded with negative, vulgar, and threatening messages), "mailbombed" (hit with so many messages that his system and his provider's system may crash), kicked out of a chat room, dropped by his Internet service provider, or- if things get really bad- sued by someone he's offended." WHAT?!?

and last but not least "never spend most of your free time online."

(be sure to scroll down and check out the video below. It is certainly organized AND civilized.)

Monday Manners Moment

Here are a few that make me smile:

*Greetings:
"Children shouldn't be prompted against their will to kiss people for whom they don't naturally feel affection." (it doesn't say anything about adults!!)

*Introductions:
"Don't worry about who get introduced to whom. If you say the name of the more important person first, you'll automatically be handing the introduction properly."

This is dedicated to all those sacrament meeting texters, back rubbers and knitters:
*"It's respectful to focus on the event. Your child might think that the priest won't see him reading a book during the Sunday lesson. One way for your child to evaluate whether or not his behavior is appropriate is to ask himself, 'What if everyone did what I am doing?'"

*Accepting a date:
"A date should be accepted with enthusiasm. You shouldn't be afraid to show happiness at being asked."

Monday Manners Moment

I am tired of dealing with rude people so I am going to change the world one etiquette tip at a time. Etiquette is something I focus on in my classes. and so why not make it a part of my blog. I do not profess to be an etiquette professional but I do try. I have read several books and learn so much with each page I turn. Here are some interesting things I have learned from the current book I am reading... (I didn't have the book with me when I first posted this so I have edited it with direct quotes)

1) "A boy may enter a revolving door first to get it started. A girl enters first if it's already moving." (apparently I made the part up about not sharing a "section" but I am SURE I read it somewhere!)

2) the person who called should say goodbye first. "Ending the call isn't only their option, but their responsibility." If you REALLY need to go, then you should politely end the conversation. Interesting.

3) "When someone makes a remark, even 'I see what you mean' or 'hmmm' is better than complete silence. With kids, not responding is an innocent omission, but it's good not to get into the habit." VERY interesting. (see pet peeves post)

Tune in next Monday for another Manners Moment!