manners | manners
Aug.29.2009
A few days ago, I was stopped at a four-way intersection in San Francisco. The driver of the car directly across from me had his left blinker on, but then put his arm out of the window to make a circular motion. I nodded and waved back to him, then waited until he safely completed his turn before...
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Aug.27.2009
I spent my childhood writing thank you letters for boxes of chocolates received on birthdays and gifts on my first holy communion. My parents always insisted I say thank you for practically everything I ever received. Nothing was to be taken for granted. And in turn, I never felt that I practised...
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Aug.27.2009
You remember everything you were taught as a child, don’t you? No elbows on the table. Sit up straight. Don’t chew with your mouth open. Say thank you when someone does something nice for you. Begin every sentence with “May I please …?” especially when you are hungry for more mashed potatoes at...
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Aug.27.2009
Through out history there were distinct lines of respect, honor, trust, security. It’s not like human experiences, diversities, life styles, relationships have change since almost the beginning of time. That has shape our world into to the blatant unrelenting, despicable scene of bad manners...
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Aug.27.2009
For almost all my life, I have been plagued with bad manners.
Not the kind that I would write about to, say, Miss Manners for some advice, because she might laugh at me or at least not take me seriously.
But it’s been a huge problem nonetheless.
I have been nice. Too nice.
Oh, I can see you all,...
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Aug.26.2009
The Clover PracticeTM is intended to help people experience less stress in the workplace. Etiquette has a similar aim--to identify agreed upon behaviors up front so we don't have to rethink every social situation. The aim is smoother interactions and, by definition, less stress around what do to.
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Jul.20.2009
Ah, conference season! You walk in, pitch memorized, nametagged, and first five pages in hand, ready to...
...berate Very Famous Editor during a morning one-on-one for not recognizing your manifest talent?
...interrupt lunch conversation between your roommate and Very Famous Agent about their...
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Jun.08.2009
The yellow rose was waiting for me. I imagined someone had read that the only roses I like are yellow. It wasn't that easy. I had to click a link, register at the site and claim that rose from someone I did not know and who did not know me. Chances of him wanting to know me were remote. I was just...
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May.29.2009
Americans today are manners challenged. When I was young I greeted my elders on Main Street, Armonk, New York, this way:
“Hi Mr. Green! Nice weather, isn’t it? How are you today? Can I mow your lawn when I am done mowing the lawns at my own house?”
But it’s not like that today. This morning when I...
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Jan.07.2009
It's 2009 and for a lousy year, 2008 certainly flew by in a hurry. Frankly, I'm glad it's gone. I begin a new year with the hope of every new year -- that it will be somehow better.
How would I make it better? Oh, in so many ways. I don't make resolutions but I tend to contemplate. I like to think...
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