Rainbows and thunderclouds

It is always good manners to have some conversation over the dinner meal. In an adult dinner there is usually lots of conversation but sometimes when we are home with our children, it is eat and run. The dinner meal is a great time for sharing the day’s events. Children aren’t always talkative and they certainly don’t want to be grilled on their day at school. One solution is to play rainbows and thunderclouds. Each person shares there happy moments of the day and the not so happy events that occurred during the day. Just recently we had a couple and their young children for dinner and we all had such fun sharing our day with each other. I think this helps everyone feel more comfortable in social situations.

You won’t need your umbrella for this event!

PET PEEVE

I love going out to dinner at a fine restaurant where the service is impeccable. The staff does not rush you through your meal and the table is yours for the evening. Now that is at a very elegant and fine establishment. There are those in between restaurants where the food is good and the evening pleasant except for the fact that you are on a time table to finish your dining experience. This is where my pet peeve comes to light. Not everyone at the table is through eating but the waiters feel that they must clear any plate that is empty or partially empty. There are still a few people eating and they think they must hurry up and finish. Why can’t restaurants train their staff in the art of clearing? I believe that the end result will be happy customers.

HOLD ON TO EVERYTHING THAT ISN’T NAILED DOWN!

WORKING OUT

Working out is a great exercise and I for one am all for it. Many workout rooms have televisions that everyone can hear so please be considerate of the noise level. Some people may be watching another program with their ear phones or listening to music. Another problem can be the level of conversation, manners dictates that one is thoughtful of those around them. Please keep your voices at a low level.

SEE YOU IN THE GYM!

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are great to have in an emergency. If your car breaks down they are a must but please don’t drive with only one hand while the other hand is holding the phone. It just isn’t safe!
The other day I was having dinner at a restaurant and the table next to me had four people all of whom were on their cell phones. What is the point of meeting together for a meal and then not talking to each other but instead spending the time on your cell phone with someone else?
Remember you are broadcasting your personal life to everyone around you when you are on your cell phone.

THANKS FOR SHARING!

DON’T BE LATE

If you are asked for dinner please don’t be late. Your hostess and host have gone to a lot of work to insure that you have a pleasant evening. Whatever the time that you are invited arriving too early or too late is not acceptable. You may be fashionably late up to ten minutes but I would not go beyond that point. Remember they have organized the evening from cocktails to dinner and all of this is well timed and planned.

DON’T BE RUNNING LIKE THAT RABBIT MUMBLING “ I AM LATE I’M LATE FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE”.

YAWNING

How lovely to wake up in the morning and enjoy a big yawn and stretch. This is one of the luxuries of life but please confine it to the bedroom. When in public if you feel a yawn coming on please use your hand to cover your mouth. You may use the right hand or the left hand but do raise one to your mouth. How many times have you seen the inside of someone's mouth when yawning? I don't want to see how many cavities a person has, that is between them and their dentist.

LET'S KEEP IT UNDER WRAPS!

FLU SEASON

It is that time of the year when those germs are flying around. Good manners would dictate that you stay out of crowds if you have flu like symptoms. If you are coughing and blowing your nose the last thing anyone wants is your bug. Please be considerate of your fellow man. A few days at home will prevent your germs from being passed on.

THE BUREAU OF DISEASE CONTROL WILL THANK YOU AND SO WILL I!

TRASH CANS

Why is it that some people feel the world is their trash can? Even when receptacles are provided some people can’t seem to seek them out and they feel free to dispose of their litter on highways, city streets, and in stores. Even Oscar the grouch knows that this is bad manners. We need to be thoughtful of our neighbors who also inhabit this planet. So let us not throw our unwanted items on the ground and yes that includes gum.

Watch where you step!

THE GENTLEMAN STANDS

In my early twenties I had the opportunity to live in Spain for awhile. This was so many years ago and chivalry flourished at that time. I remember boarding a street car in Barcelona and a very elderly man stood up and offered me his seat. I thanked him and accepted his offer but I did feel he should have been sitting instead of me. How nice it is to have men stand up for women, when being introduced and at restaurants when a women approaches the table or if she should excuse herself and leave. When in doubt gentlemen stand up. These polite gestures fill our busy world with grace and they will long be remembered.
If for no other reason standing up is great exercise!