Today is not only a new month; it's a new year. (I feel like I should be hungover.)
I always like to mark a fresh start and a clean state with an etiquette refresher. A lot has happened in my life lately that has left me both baffled and boggled. I sure hope you all won't mind if I beseech some basic niceties that have become increasingly important to me lately. (Reminder: These are merely suggestions!)
If you want to be friends with someone, make an effort. If they don't respond, make another effort. Sometimes the third time is NOT the charm.
If someone in your life has a big day coming up, make sure to contact them either the day before, on the actual day, or the day after. Let them know you care. Contacting them a few days afterward because you forgot is just plain hurtful.
If you know someone in your life is stressed, go out of your way to surprise them with something nice. Whether it be a card or cupcakes, show them that you're there and that you care.
If someone you know is having a 'make or break' moment, event or test, either wish them luck or let them know that you're thinking about them. For God's sake , DO NOT ask them about it. DO NOT bother them with phone calls and text messages asking how it went with excessive question marks. It shows that you care, but it's also insensitive. Let them come to you.
If someone gives you a present, write them a thank you note. If someone does something nice for you, write them a thank you note. If someone makes you smile, write a thank you note. Try to write at least one thank you note every day. (I prefer old-fashioned stationery, but I believe that anything involving the phrase works.)
Think twice before commenting on someone's blog. Put yourself in their shoes and try to read it through their eyes.
Don't do something kind solely for the purpose of hoping it will come back around to you. Do it because you want to.
Not a suggestion, just a thought... Proper protocol NEVER goes out of style.
13 comments:
well said!!!
so true! I can't believe the number of people I know who never seem to have time to write a simple thank you note!
This is neither deep nor related to your post today, but I thought you would appreciate this as much as I did. I just found out that igoogle users have the option to chose a design for their page, which is created by famous artists and designers. There is a Kate Spade one and it is adorable. Now when I go to my homepage, I’m greeted with green & white polka dots, navy and white jelly fish or bright pink daises. Love it. Makes me think of Kappa.
Wise girl.
My friend and I are contemplating writing an etiquette book for our generation. It's so frustrating how manners have gone by the wayside.
I agree that politeness never goes out of style :)
Thanks for the words of wisdom! So true!!
Great suggestions!
I loathe when people do not send thank you notes.
I have been to THREE weddings in the past year where I have not even gotten an acknowledgement that they received my gift. Nothing. Nada.
I sent my thank you notes out the day we returned to Atlanta from our honeymoon. I did a marathon session and sent the last 50 for people who gave gift cards or brought gifts to the wedding. The ones that came before the wedding had thanks you put in the mail the very same day.
Oy.
Eloquently stated.
Everything in the post is so true. Thank you for reminding us of the basics (the basics that many seem to not know or forget).
Miss Teddi....
Another fabulous post, as always. It seems so simple, and should be, but as many have already noted, it clearly isn't.
Yesterday's post about the whispering during services cracked me up. It sounds like a scene from a movie!
Happy New Year,
tp
I loved this!
I read a quote somewhere "if someone shows you who they are, believe them" it is so true!
What a great post :)
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