Etiquette School of Ohio

The Christmas “Newsletter”

Sending cards to friends, family and business associates at the holiday season is a wonderful and heartwarming tradition.

If there has been a highlight of your year you would like to mention in the card, such as a birth, marriage, graduation, etc., write a brief note on the card to share these achievements with your friends and family.

Try to avoid sending the Christmas “Newsletter”.  We have all received this type of holiday greeting.  These letters can be anywhere from 1 to 6 pages in length.

You may have had a wonderful time on your vacation to the Grand Canyon and mean well by trying to share it with everyone, but not everyone will want to relive your day to day intinerary.

If you must share more information than you can write on the inside of the greeting card, please keep the length to one page and only send it to your closest family and friends.

Dining Etiquette - Should You Order an Alcoholic Beverage?

If you are dining out and not sure if you should order an alcoholic beverage, follow the lead from others at your table.

If you are the first to order, play it safe and order a non-alcoholic beverage such as a soft drink.

You  may change your order if others do ask for alcohol by saying, “Please change my soft drink to wine.  After hearing the orders of my colleagues, a glass does sound wonderful.”  The other diners might even feel flattered you followed their lead.

When in doubt, always play it safe and change your order later if you feel comfortable doing so.

Escalator Etiquette

With the holiday shopping season upon us,  most of us are in malls and department stores more frequently than we are during other times of the year.

In addition to being patient while waiting in long lines or politely negotiating our way through crowds carrying packages, we should remember to use proper etiquette while riding the escalators.

1)  Move with the flow of people as you step on or off the escalator. If you stop before stepping on the escalator, the people behind you may bump into you.  When stepping off the escalator, move out of the way before stopping to figure out where you want to go.  Do not block the exit for the people behind you.

2)  Use the up escalator to go up, and the down escalator to go down. Do not attempt to defy the machinery by going against the flow.  I suggest you get a treadmill if you need to satisfy the daredevil within.

3) The duration of travel time on an escalator is short.  Be polite and enjoy the ride in an orderly manner.  If you must speed the process up, stand to the right, pass on the left. Please don’t forget to say, “Excuse me, please”, and Thank you”.

4)  Keep your hands to yourself. Perhaps the close position of a couple standing on the same step initiates romantic feelings, however, this is not an appropriate time to cuddle, kiss, or fondle the behind side of your mate.  The people standing behind you can see everything.

5)  Do not pass gas. Yes, passing gas is a natural bodily function.  However, do not make the people following behind you victims of your relief.

6)  No grooming. Those beautiful mirrors located on each side of the escalator are for decor and security purposes.  This is not a time to apply lipstick, comb your hair, or pick lunch from your teeth.  Pay attention.

7)  Hold onto the railing so you don’t fall and cause a human dominoes effect.

8)  Do not lean over the edge or try to touch the hand of another passenger traveling in the opposite direction.

9)  If the sign says no strollers, then, no strollers. The signs do apply to everyone.

Religous Ceremonies - The Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah

The bar mitzvah, for boys, and the bat mitzvah, for girls, is a ceremony of the Jewish faith recognizing a young person as an adult member of the congregation.  It takes place in a Jewish synagogue on the first Sabbath, a Saturday, following the boy or girl’s thirteenth birthday.  A reception and/or party are often held by the parents of the teenager following the ceremony.

Guests invited to a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah are expected to send a bring a gift.

Tipping Musicians

A pianist, or strolling musician, should be tipped $1 for each special request of music.  You may also want to tip a musician a minimum of $1 as you leave the restaurant even if they did not play a special request for you.

What is the Rudest Thing You Can Do?

Offend someone.

This is why we have etiquette rules and need to follow them 24/7.

Wedding Etiquette - Broken Engagements

If an engagement is broken, friends and family members should be notified.  An explanation is not necessary.  If you are the friend or family member being notified, do not ask why.

Formal cancellation notices must be sent to wedding guests if formal invitations were sent.

An informal note is sent to wedding guests if the invitation was informal.

All wedding gifts must be returned.