Etiquette is about manners and protocol. You can get by with common sense and courtesy. But some etiquette rules really do have to be learned, especially when dealing with cultures other than your own. It could be an interesting career choice.
If you wrote a character who is an etiquette consultant how would she look, speak and what would her (or his) body language be like? Could there be an etiquette consultant who dresses sloppy, maybe even a little on the rough and dirty side? What story would you write behind that character?
Resources:
The Queen is here in Canada for a Royal Tour, 2010. I admire the lady for what she has done and continues to do. She gives the world an image to look up to, someone who can be admired and she is leadership (no one is asking her to lead troops into battle, there is a lot more to leadership than that). I'd like to thank her for coming to Canada. Most of all I'd like to let her know I am glad she is still around and still leading.
Do you know the protocol/ etiquette for meeting the Queen? I've heard bits here and there but never actually looked it up. Some of the things I had heard were:
- You never speak to the Queen before she speaks to you.
- You always curtsey or bow to the Queen.
- You do not touch the Queen until she notices you and then shakes your hand or in some other way touches you.
These all make pretty simple sense. The Queen is not a young thing and does not really want someone running up and jumping all over her with their enthusiasm in meeting or seeing her. Bob Barker asked for the same kind of consideration as the host of the Price is Right. So, it is not asking too much to give the Queen some space as well as some respect. In the case of the Queen it is also, of course, a question of security. She makes herself available to the public which must be just a bit scarier in this day and age.
I did find some information online about the protocol for meeting the Queen.
Globe and Mail: Royal Protocol Tips (video)
BBC News: Preparing Oneself for Tea with the Queen
Government of Canada site: Canadian Heritage: Meeting the Queen and Members of the Royal Family
The Official Website of the British Monarchy
The Monarchist League of Canada
I did not read too much about letting her speak first, but I know I have heard that before. I can imagine it would be the rule of protocol most often broken. It would be very hard to meet the Queen and have so much bubbling up that you would like to say. Most likely it would be nothing too new, people are happy and proud to meet her and no doubt have said so many times. But, if you had to remain silent, at least until spoken to, you could still say everything with your eyes.
Think of all the ways our eyes express our emotions, our thoughts and intentions. Make a list of emotions: happy, sad, angry, curious, cautious, etc and describe how your eyes (and only your eyes) would show each mood to the reader.
You've just been caught picking your nose, in public. Sure it was just a little quickie and you're just getting over that cold after all. But, now you're caught. What story do you come up with to tell your audience? Something that can slip off your tongue at the spur of the moment, something simple to sound believable. Something to spare your pride and dignity.
What? She’s writing about dating again… Yes, she (I mean) I am. Not for any good or useful purpose. I’m not going to change the world though I humour myself and keep right on trying.
Today let’s talk about online dating etiquette. For one thing, spelling does count and punctuation does matter. I know a lot of guys (my own brother included) who write email that could have been typed by a four year old, or someone really lazy/ sloppy/ careless. Keeping in mind that this email is making your first impression, do you want to appear like a drooling idiot? I’ve come to a new conclusion actually. Men don’t care. They somehow feel dating is like flipping through a catalogue and women are just on order. This is why I’m pretty much finished with online dating but for entertainment purposes.
The other biggie in online dating etiquette is not ignoring people, deliberately. If someone sends you a reply but they don’t sound perfect enough don’t ignore them. That’s just so obnoxious. People who do this should be kept in cages with the other primates and not allowed to socialize at all. I don’t mind (too much) if someone isn’t interested in me due to my eye colour, odd hobbies or the plus sized aspect. But, have the humanity to say “thanks, but no thanks” in some nice way.
People who use no etiquette at all make dating a hell for all of us. Of course, it’s not just men who do this. (So I keep hearing men claim). Good luck. But, honestly, don’t look for the love of your life online. Join BookCrossing or something where real people meet in a group when it’s not about dating. You’re far more likely to find someone that way, when you and they least suspect it.
THE GOOD NAPKINS!!!!!
My mother taught me to read when I was four
years old
(her first mistake).
One day, I was in the bathroom and noticed one
of the cabinet doors was ajar. I read the box in the
cabinet.
I then asked my mother why she was keeping
'napkins' in the bathroom. Didn't they belong in the kitchen?
Not wanting to burden me with unnecessary facts, she
told me that those were for " special occasions"
(her second mistake).
Now fast forward a few months....It's
Thanksgiving Day,
and my folks are leaving to pick up my uncle
and his
wife for dinner. Mom had assignments for all of
us
while they were gone. Mine was to set the table.
(her third mistake)
When they returned, my uncle came in first and immediately burst into
laughter.
Next came his
wife who gasped, then began giggling. Next came
my father, who roared with laughter. Then came
Mom, who almost died of embarrassment when
she saw each place setting on the table with a
"special occasion" napkin at each plate, with
the fork carefully arranged on top. I had even tucked
the little tail in so they didn't hang off the
edge!!
My mother asked me why I used these and, of
course, my response sent the other adults
into further fits of laughter. "But, Mom, you
SAID they were for special occasions!!!"
Pass this on to Girlfriends who need a good laugh
Lillian sent me this one today.