Get Ready for School with a Bus Etiquette Review

If your children take a school bus or public transit to school, make bus etiquette part of your back to school preparations. After relaxing throughout the summer, your children have probably fallen out of their school routines including their bus etiquette. Start by waking them a little earlier each day to practice for those early mornings and to ensure they will be on time for the bus. Here are a few more bus etiquette tips to review with your children:

• Greet the bus driver with a smile and “Good Morning”. At the end of the ride, say “Thank you”.
• Keep school bags on your lap to allow others to sit down. No shouting or making rude noises.
• Keep your ipod volume down. The person next to you may not share your taste in music.
• If the bus is full, offer your seat to an adult, senior, or person with a physical disability.
• If you have food or drinks on the bus, be careful not to spill or drop food on the seats or floor.
• When you leave the bus, take your rubbish (water bottles, food wrappers, and so on) with you.

 

Air Travel Etiquette

There is no doubt about it, traveling on airlines is stressful and tries the patience of many, otherwise, good-natured people. The crowds, delays, inadequate meals, and confined spaces often combine to make people more than a little grumpy and impatient. Unfortunately, in times of stress, we often forget to be respectful and considerate of others – something that can improve our own mood, if even just a little. On your next flight, try following these basic air travel etiquette tips and see how they can make the trip more pleasant for you, the airline staff, and your fellow passengers.

• Avoid bumping or hitting people with your luggage.
• Allow those with advanced boarding privileges, especially elderly people, those with disabilities, and young children, to board the plane unimpeded; wait in the seating area and don’t approach the gate until you are called to board the plane.
• Board the plane quickly and refrain from blocking the entryway or aisles. If necessary, step aside to allow people to pass before loading your carry-on luggage into the overhead compartment.
• Use care when placing your items into the overhead compartment. Other people may have delicate items in the carry-on bags already stowed in the compartment.
• If you notice someone struggling with items in the overhead compartment, be kind and assist them.
• Remember to use general pleasantries: “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “You’re welcome.” Sometimes when rushing from one gate to another we forget these simple courtesies.

 

What Is a Good Age to Start Teaching Manners?

Any age is a good age. One is never too young or too old to learn good manners. Start how you mean to go on and start today!

I was recently on an international flight from Europe to Vancouver. A relatively long haul even for the best seasoned traveller. In the row in front of me sat a young couple and their adorable 18 month old son whom, unfortunately, had the most awful cough and cold. While my heart went out to the poor little chap who was coughing and sneezing away into thin air I also felt sorry for my fellow travellers, especially those prone to respiratory infections.

It is just as easy to teach children the good manners of coughing and sneezing into their upper arm as it is to demonstrate playing Patty-Cake by clapping your hands. Make a game of it and pretend to cough and sneeze into your upper arm. Children love games and learn through role play. Eventually, through practise, they will exercise good manners naturally – without prompting!

8 Tips for Being a Good RV Neighbour

An RV is a great way to travel and enjoy the countryside. It offers easy access to the outdoors with all the comforts of home.

However, just like being at home, you generally have neighbours, at least when you stop and set up camp, and following the rules of etiquette helps to create a friendly atmosphere and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Follow these 8 tips for RV camping etiquette to be a good RV neighbour on your next trip:

1. Follow the campsite rules. Most campsites have rules and regulations that you are given when you register. These rules usually include campsite speed limits, fire regulations, quiet times, and so on. Adhering to these rules is one of the basics of campground etiquette. Be sure to review and enforce the rules with your children, as well.
2. Park your RV in alignment with the campsite layout. Some campsites have concrete pads to indicate where to park your RV, while others have only the utility pole to indicate where your space ends and your neighbour’s campsite begins. The best approach is to check how other RVs are parked and align your unit with them. Note their angle of parking and distance from the utility pole and replicate it when you park your RV. If you don’t see other RVs around when you park, examine the campsite map to determine the intended set up.
3. Contain yourself and your stuff to your area. When you set up your RV, don’t allow slideouts or awnings to extend beyond the utility pole and into your neighbours area. Also be sure to keep your belongings, chairs, mats, toys, and so on in your campsite. The exception is a satellite dish, which may need to be placed in a specific area to receive a signal. But before placing your dish on another campsite, ask for permission from the people occupying the site.
4. Be considerate when arriving late or leaving early. If you arrive at the campsite after dark or leave before dawn, remember that others may be sleeping and be as unobtrusive as possible. If setting up, do the least amount you need to get through the night and keep voices quiet and lights dim. If you are leaving early, pack up the bulk of your items the day before so you can make a quick get away with the least amount of disturbance possible.
5. Treat other campsites as private property. When someone is set up in a campsite, that site becomes their property for the duration of their stay. Never cut across another occupied site without permission. If the washrooms or beach access are on the other side of a site, walk around.
6. Keep noise to a minimum. If you have television or radio, keep the volume in check. If possible, close the windows next to the speakers to contain the sound. To test the volume, turn on the TV or radio and go outside your RV. If you can hear it, turn down the volume, close windows, or move the speakers to reduce the sound outside your RV.
7. Be a responsible pet owner. If you are traveling with pets, make sure they are well taken care of. Keep dogs on leashes whenever they are outside so they are not bothering your neighbours and discourage them from barking. Never leave a dog that barks or howls unattended.  Also, clean up after your dog – always.
8. Clean up after yourself. Before you leave the campsite, clean up your area. Dispose of garbage properly, including bottle caps, cigarette butts, and dog waste. Always leave a campsite as clean, or cleaner, than it was when you arrived.

Follow these etiquette tips for create good neighbourly relations with your camping community and have a safe and happy summer!

Remember Your Manners When Texting in Public

While out at a restaurant to other day, I happened to notice a small group of people at another table. They were chatting together while waiting for their meals to arrive.

Suddenly, a cell phone chirped and one of the people in the group checked their phone, chuckled at a text message they had received, and then, without a word to the others, typed a response to the message and placed the phone on the table before returning to the conversation.

“the situation reminded me of two people whispering to each other while in the company of a larger group of people”

A few moments later, the phone chirped again and the person responded to another message while ignoring the people at their table. This routine repeated itself at regular intervals throughout their meal.

Technology aside, the situation reminded me of two people whispering to each other while in the company of a larger group of people. Holding a private conversation, whether through text or in hushed tones, while in the presence of others is extremely poor manners and is disrespectful to the people you are with.

Good etiquette requires that when you are with other people, you turn off your cell phone and text messaging. If you are waiting for an urgent message and must respond, excuse yourself from the group and find a quiet location to respond to the message. If more discussion is needed, it is best to call the person to resolve the issue rather than letting text messages continue to disrupt the people you are with.

Know Your Interview Etiquette to Get That Job!

Whether you are looking for a temporary job for the summer or a permanent job after graduation, job interviews can be stressful and a little unnerving. After all, you are putting yourself out there to be judged. You can ease your anxiety and improve your chances for success if you understand the rules of conduct for job interviews and know what’s expected. Use the following interview etiquette guidelines to put your best foot forward and make a great impression:

• Be prepared. Take the time to learn about the company and the job you are applying for and have a few questions ready for when the interviewer asks if you have any questions.
• Be punctual. Being on time shows your respect for other people and their time. When going to an interview, give yourself extra time to account for any delays that may come up and, if you plan to drive, be sure to account for time required to find parking.
• Dress appropriately. Like it or not, your appearance says a lot about you and people will judge you on how you look. When going to an interview ALWAYS wear clothing that is clean and in good repair. For more advice about what to wear to an interview, see the tips section of this newsletter.
• Present a positive personal image. A confident demeanour makes a good impression at an interview: stand and sit up straight, grip the interviewers’ hands firmly when shaking hands, speak clearly, look people in the eye, and smile when you talk to them.
• Exit gracefully. At the end of the interview, shake hands and thank your interviewers for their time and for the opportunity to meet with them.
• Send a thank you letter. When you get home, compose a thank you letter and send it. Use the letter to reiterate your key qualifications and interest in the position and thank them again for their time and for considering you for the position. Since this is a business communication, type the letter rather than sending a hand written note. You may email the thank you letter, but mailing it is preferable.

Remember: First impressions are important – Make yours a memorable one!

Is a Gift Required for the Bride and Groom when attending an Engagement Party put on by the Bride’s Mother?

The decision of whether one wants to give a gift, or not, is always at the discretion of the guest. However, that being said, it is customary to take a small gift, for the Bride and Groom, to the Engagement Party.

Taking into consideration the couple’s taste in decor eg: Traditional, Contemporary etc. you may consider one of the following gifts appropriate and easy on the budget:

• A nice Picture Frame – Made from Crystal, wood, metal. There are some really unique ones on the market today.
• A Vase – for all those flowers the groom will be buying! Consider a Bud Vase or one suitable for a small bunch of flowers.
• A Photograph Album – Yes, people still use them for their favourite photo’s, on the Coffee Table.
• If you have a photograph of the happy couple in their younger years or when they first met, put a copy on the first page as a memento.

A gift we were given on our Engagement – A small crystal dish in the shape of a half- moon (crescent shape). It can be used to serve after dinner chocolates or to hold soap or jewelry in the bathroom. It has remained one of my favourite gifts, given to us by a work colleague of mine. Small but, special.

If you are really unsure of what to buy, you can always consider a pre-paid Visa/Mastercard which can be purchased from several local shops. Ultimately, remember, it is always the thought that counts the most.

Elizabeth

Bike Month and Road Bike Etiquette

In British Columbia, June is Bike Month. During this month, many organizations and government agencies host or sponsor bicycling events intended to encourage people to bike more and drive less. (You can get more information and see a list of upcoming events at the Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) Bike Month website).

Increasing the number of bikes on the roads (and reducing the number of cars) has many benefits — for the environment, for individuals, and for our communities — but it’s not without its own challenges.

One of the challenges is sharing the roadways and the somewhat tenuous relationship between motorists and bicyclists. The differences in the speed of travel and the ability of bicycles to slip silently between cars has led to much frustration on the part of vehicle drivers, while inattentive drivers and the potential for harm generates fear and anger among bicyclists. However, much of this conflict could be solved through basic etiquette – on both sides.

Bicycle Etiquette for Drivers

• Be aware of your surroundings and watch for smaller vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, especially in and around intersections.
• Use caution when passing cyclists in the same lane. Slow down and move a far as possible to the left to give the cyclist as much room as possible. If there is a left lane, consider changing lanes before passing.
• When parallel parking along a roadway, park as close to the curb as possible to leave room for cyclists riding to the left of parked cars.
• When parked along a roadway, check for cyclists before opening your car door.
• When making a right turn, stop before entering the intersection and check for cyclists both coming from behind on the right side of your vehicle and coming from the left across the intersection.
• Avoid using roadways designated as Bike Routes as thoroughfares. Treat them as local access routes and, remember that in BC, these routes have a speed limit of 30 km/hour.
• Do not honk your horn at a cyclist. The sudden, loud noise may distract them so they lose control of their bike.

Riding Etiquette for Cyclists

• Know the rules of the road and follow them.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t distract yourself by listening to an ipod or radio while riding.
• Ride as far to the right as possible, but give yourself enough room to ride safely and stay out of the way of car doors being opened in front of you.
• When riding with other cyclists, ride in single file, not side by side.
• When riding on a Bike Route, remember that you must still share the road with other vehicles and the same riding etiquette applies.
• Signal your intentions and be predictable.
• If you become aware of a car wanting to pass, move as far as possible to the right to give them as much room as possible.

Roadways are intended to accommodate many vehicle types as well as pedestrians.

No matter how you are travelling, a little courtesy and respect goes a long way towards improving the safety and enjoyment of travelling on roadways for everyone.

The Perfect Wedding Shower

As you begin your wedding plans you will discover that there are a number of special events that take place prior to the actual wedding. The wedding shower is one of these exciting events.

Traditionally, the Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids are responsible for planning and hosting the bridal shower. Some people consider it improper for a relative of the bride to host the shower because attendees usually bring gifts; however, traditions have changed and relative-hosted showers are a common and accepted occurrence today. If the maid of honour or bridesmaids are unable to host the shower, other close friends are, quite often, delighted to step in.

Selecting a date for the wedding shower can be tricky. Showers are generally held between four and six weeks prior to the wedding; however, the timing will depend on the bride’s schedule and the distance guests are travelling for the wedding. Be careful not to choose a date too close to the wedding day or the shower may interfere with other wedding plans and cause undue stress for the bride.

The guest list for the shower generally includes women who are close to the bride and groom. The following people are generally included in the guest list:

• All women in the wedding party
• Mothers of the bride and groom
• Grandmothers of the bride and groom
• Stepmothers of the bride and groom
• Sisters of the bride and groom
• Other female family members (aunts, cousins, nieces)
• Female friends and co-workers of the bride and groom

Note that individuals who are not invited to the wedding are generally not invited to the shower.

Send the wedding shower invitations at least four weeks prior to the event and include a response card with the invitation so guests can RSVP. You may also want to include return envelopes, addressed and stamped, to make it easy for guests to reply. Etiquette dictates that each invitation be addressed by hand using the formal format. Send a separate invitation to each shower guest even if they live with someone who is also invited to the shower. For example, if a mother and daughter live in the same household, they should each receive their own invitation.

Following the shower, the bride will need to send thank you notes as soon as possible. The shower hostess is responsible for keeping a record of who brought each gift so the bride will be able to personalize the thank you note by mentioning the gift.

The wedding shower is the start of many fun filled, memorable events for the bride and “all the girls.” Enjoy!

Exercise Takes on a Whole New Meaning

I have always considered myself to be reasonably fit. My husband and I power walk/run a local Park Trail most nights of the week, trying our best to adhere to the 30 minutes of exercise a day recommended by Doctors and the experts. For the most part I am on the right track or at least I thought so! That was until I attended Yanick MacDougall’s Boot Camp this morning.

Exercise, for me, has now taken on a whole new meaning, not only from the Cardio and Stamina point of view but from the important part it plays in maintaining good deportment. The way in which we stand or walk. Practising, with endurance, the exercises that keep our muscles strong and flexible gives us the ability to hold ourselves with poise and grace naturally. Integral elements to the foundation of good etiquette when presenting oneself with confidence.

Embrace a healthier and active lifestyle. Proper etiquette begins with respecting yourself, so that you can appreciate and respect others!

You can read Yanick’s Guest Blog Post (April 11th, 2011) The Fitness and Etiquette Connection here.

Or contact Yanick:

Yanick MacDougall, Surrey, BC Canada | shapefitnesstraining.com
SHAPE Fitness and Training, mobile personal/ group training. Pre/postnatal fitness specialist.

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