Remove Names of the Deceased From E-mail Lists

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

A friend of mine who served on a committee with me recently passed away.  As the committee began to prepare for its next meeting through e-mail announcements, I noticed my friends name was still on the mailing roster.  This was obviously an oversight, however, we need to be aware of little details like this.  It may be very painful for the family of the deceased person to receive these messages.

You would not send mail through the postal service to a deceased person, would you?  E-mails should be regarded in the same manner.

1)  Remove the name of the deceased from all mailing and group lists. It may be a difficult thing to do symbolically, but be courteous of their in box and the family members who might have to sort through the mail.

2) If you receive e-mail with a deceased persons name included in the recipients, please remove their name before replying to all.

3)  Check older e-mails to make sure the name of the deceased person has been removed before using it as a group list or using it as a reference.

Posted in E-mail Etiquette, Etiquette Tips, Funeral Etiquette | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Where Do the Parents of the Bride and Groom Sit?

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

If there is a center aisle in the church, the parents of the bride sit in the first pew on the left and the parents of the groom sit in the first pew on the right as you face the alter.

If there is a center section of pews with two side aisles, the parents of the bride walk down the left aisle and sit in the first pew on their right and the parents of the groom walk down the right aisle and sit in the first pew on their left.  Both parents will then be seated in the center section of the church with the bride’s parents on the left and the grooms parents on the right as you face the alter.

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Working Late? Call Home

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

It’s courteous to call your spouse or partner if you know you’re going to be working late or will be delayed at the office so they aren’t worried and can make plans of their own.

It’s also courteous to call your spouse or partner before you leave the office so they know when to expect you home.  This may work to your benefit if your spouse or partner is thoughtful enough to have a warm meal waiting on the table for you when you walk in the door.

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Use A Coaster Under Your Drinking Glass

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

Drinking glasses have a tendency to sweat and can damage furniture by leaving a watermark in the shape of a ring on the furniture.

Always place a coaster or cocktail napkin under your drinking glass before setting it down on a piece of furniture. If a coaster or cocktail napkin is not in sight, ask your host or hostess for one.  I’m sure it was an oversight on their part and they’ll appreciate you asking so their furniture is not damaged.

Using a cocktail napkin under your drinking glass also helps absorb moisture so water droplets won’t fall on your clothing when you lift the glass.

Posted in Etiquette Tips, Party Etiquette | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Applaud the Band After the Dance

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

It is a polite and appreciative gesture to applaud the band before exiting the dance floor. They provided you with the music to dance to, so you should thank them.

I attended a dinner dance last evening, turned to applaud the band at the end of the dance and observed an unsightly etiquette faux pas.  One of the guests joined in the applause, but turned to the other guests shouting, “Hurray for us!  We’re wonderful dancers!”

One should never applaud themselves in any situation.

Posted in Dance Etiquette, Etiquette Faux Pas, Etiquette Tips | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Graduation Announcements

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

Unless an educational institution has an extremely large venue to hold its graduation ceremonies in, it is common to see the institutions limit the number of attendees each graduate can invite to the ceremony.

When invitations to the ceremony are limited, graduation announcements may be sent to close family members and friends who could not be invited to the ceremony.  Graduation announcements are intended to be a means to share the exciting news. They carry no obligation to send a gift.

Announcements are only sent at the time of graduation. If a student cannot walk with their class for academic reasons, they must wait until they receive their diploma before sending announcements.

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When Flirting Crosses the Line

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

Webster’s Dictionary defines flirting as amorous behavior without serious intent.  If you find yourself engaging in playful conversation with serious intent, you need to know who you are having this conversation with and immediately stop it before crossing a line.

You have crossed the line if:

1) Either party is married or in a serious relationship.

2) You cannot share any part of the conversation with your partner.

Do these rules sound similar to anything you may have read in the Bible?  The Bible and etiquette are closely related and flirt on common topics.

Posted in Dating Etiquette, Etiquette Tips, Social Etiquette | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Postwedding Visits

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

Often elderly or ill family members are unable to attend wedding festivities.  It is wonderful when the bride and groom make plans to visit these friends and family members to share their wedding with them.

If there is time on the wedding day, visit in your wedding attire and bring cake, flowers, or favors with you.  If not, plan time soon after the wedding and bring photographs or wedding videos.  Your visit will make their day and will be greatly appreciated for a long time after.

Posted in Etiquette Tips, Wedding Etiquette | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sharing the TV Remote Control

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

I have heard marriages and friendships have been broken because two people were unable to share the television remote control.  Here are a few tips to help avoid these broken relationships:

1) Do not change the channel without asking for permission from other viewers.

2) A good time to ask is during commercial breaks – not in the middle of breaking news.

3) Do not revel in the power of the remote. Regard its use as you would navigate through a first date.  “What would you like to watch?”  Do you want to continue watching this program or would you like to search for another?”  “Do you want the remote or would you prefer I change the channels?”

4) Do not hide the remote from others.

5) If you stop to watch a channel while surfing, ask before before you begin surfing again.

6) Always place the remote in the same place after use so you can easily find it when you want it.  End or coffee tables are good locations to avoid being goosed by the remote when sitting down.

7) Never throw the remote. Unlike a Nerf ball, it can cause bodily injury.

8) Only use the remote with clean hands. Others don’t want to feel the grease from your chicken wings.

9) Never use the remote as a tug-of-war prop. That’s what ropes are for.

10)  Do not mischievously change the channel when the other person has momentarily left the room and then pretend it was a glitch from outer space messing with your TV.  Martians know better than that.

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Top Ten College Dorm Bathroom Etiquette Tips

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Sandy Hyde

This past weekend, I visited my college alma mater for a reunion weekend and stayed in a college dorm.  While using the bathrooms in the dorm, I was surprised, but elated, to read some very unusual graffiti on the stall walls.  Rather than the typical, “Call Brad for a good time” or “Math 204 stinks”, there were bathroom etiquette tips.  I was able to gather many of these tips during my stay and would like to share them with you because they are universal public restroom tips.  Moms, if you have children going off to camp or summer school, please share these tips with them.

In the words of college students:

1) Don’t forget to flush.

2) Check to make sure everything flushed.  If not, flush again.

3) Don’t leave toilet paper or anything else on the seat.

4) If you use the last piece of toilet paper, replace it with a new roll in the stall.

5) Courtesy flush so you don’t share your air.

6) Remove your hair from the shower and sink.

7) Wipe the sink after using it.

8) Don’t leave crud in the sink.

9) If someone is taking a shower, yell “FLUSHING” to avoid scalding that person.

10) Treat the bathroom as if your mother would be the next to use it.

Posted in Childrens Etiquette, Etiquette Tips, Public Courtesies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment