tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.comments2023-07-08T10:20:00.432-04:00The Social GraceSocial Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715242748755030957noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-35609988732012067222014-05-05T13:34:08.674-04:002014-05-05T13:34:08.674-04:00Well, this Stinks!!!! I, your sister-in-law, who ...Well, this Stinks!!!! I, your sister-in-law, who has no re-numeration going on will miss you.<br /><br />You know I hate goodbyes, most especially when it has been good.<br /><br />Love, DarbyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-15795470678156934212013-07-10T15:12:27.790-04:002013-07-10T15:12:27.790-04:00I've just returned to my office and I can tell...I've just returned to my office and I can tell my neighbor is in her office. She's cleared her throat or coughed no less than 60 times in the last 45 minutes. She is not sick. She says she's fine, and won't accept a lemon drop, or lozenge. I think it's a nervous habit, and it drives me insane. She also reads her Bible aloud, uses the speaker phone and listens to loud music. Sometimes she sings aloud, too. I know I sound awful, but I am trying to work and it's very distracting. <br /><br />The throat/phlegm clearing is very difficult to hear. <br /><br />I try to block it with music or talk radio, but that doesn't really help. <br /><br />We are not co-workers, but rent adjacent office space. Any guidance?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16872114873671284879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-10782866967515711362013-01-30T08:48:29.330-05:002013-01-30T08:48:29.330-05:00So you have a cough...why not walk away and deal w...So you have a cough...why not walk away and deal with the coughing fit somewhere where you do not disrupt the 20 people that work around you? Yes, we are sympathetic to your illness, condition, whatever. But why does common courtesy have to go out the window? If your cough is chronic and disruptive--step away until you have it under control.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-43253007853006137542012-11-13T14:59:46.899-05:002012-11-13T14:59:46.899-05:00Wear what you would usually wear. Just don't b...Wear what you would usually wear. Just don't be a little sex doll. Trying to be something that you are NOT will bite you back later on. You're with HIM, not the parents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-33525734721954101722012-11-09T18:34:50.354-05:002012-11-09T18:34:50.354-05:00Don't these places have capacity limits? It se...Don't these places have capacity limits? It seems dangerous that there are so many people. What if there was a fire? Or people bumping into each other may cause injury. Just a thought.<br />In through the nose and out through the mouth...<br /><br />LilleLillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314620204672271437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-42414336125165136522012-07-30T12:43:13.330-04:002012-07-30T12:43:13.330-04:00Great many tips. both for guests and for the hosts...Great many tips. both for guests and for the hosts.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-15378551556773244352012-07-23T21:14:07.761-04:002012-07-23T21:14:07.761-04:00I am so glad I do my regular walk on the terrace.I am so glad I do my regular walk on the terrace.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-2909287763332607562012-07-17T07:06:26.892-04:002012-07-17T07:06:26.892-04:00Excellent points, TortugaRachel. Thanks for your ...Excellent points, TortugaRachel. Thanks for your comment.Social Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10715242748755030957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-71934700775687283582012-07-17T00:32:37.429-04:002012-07-17T00:32:37.429-04:00Thank you for these tips. My family and I try very...Thank you for these tips. My family and I try very hard to be both gracious guests and hosts. We have a small group of friends that we invite over regularly because they have such exquisite guest manners.<br /><br />I would like to add to your first point, about accepting and rejecting invitations. If anything changes or needs to be adjusted, the sooner the notification, the better. Life happens, and sometimes it's unavoidable to be late or even not able to attend at all, even after one has responded, but don't leave a host hanging, give some sort of notification if at all possible, emergencies notwithstanding, of course.Cap'n Saltyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05174910755129274007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-67980433155174851872012-07-16T13:21:59.190-04:002012-07-16T13:21:59.190-04:00Great tips on being a gracious guest. And so well ...Great tips on being a gracious guest. And so well timed too.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-39514533346655522242012-07-11T23:28:05.095-04:002012-07-11T23:28:05.095-04:00Have missed your posts, Grace. Like a breath of fr...Have missed your posts, Grace. Like a breath of fresh air!Carole of Brumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02904787081005727738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-6045612926619497002012-07-10T12:45:39.631-04:002012-07-10T12:45:39.631-04:00I love the second point. And I think adjusting in ...I love the second point. And I think adjusting in the given arrangements would be icing on the cake.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-59488118617765739982012-06-13T03:51:06.811-04:002012-06-13T03:51:06.811-04:00Prima Donna should have been offered the entire co...Prima Donna should have been offered the entire courtesy of the house, including the en-suite queen bedroom, with the compoany of her future father in law as a bedmate to build a bond for their future relationship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-35081489393370908832012-05-14T11:26:54.717-04:002012-05-14T11:26:54.717-04:00Excellent points, Verbose. I love your suggestion...Excellent points, Verbose. I love your suggestion about integrating an activity like a movie or workout; that invites an instant conversational topic that can substitute for the laundry and provide an enjoyable outing for both parties. And you are right, thoughtful, considerate friends aren't exactly a dime a dozen, so it's important to appreciate her other good qualities. Thanks for reading/thanks for writing!<br />SGSocial Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10715242748755030957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-58632058373211548382012-05-14T11:20:48.361-04:002012-05-14T11:20:48.361-04:00Or how about instead of listening to her talk, Sat...Or how about instead of listening to her talk, Saturated could talk about his/her day so that the conversation isn't a one-way street. Or they could go out and do something together, like go to the movies, bring the kids along, visit the parents with her or even join in on the workout routine.<br /> <br />You don't have to avoid talking to someone because their topics are of little interest to you. It shows lack of respect in the friendship and could in fact hint at a deeper issue.<br /><br />Could it be that Saturated is outgrowing this friend? That the friend is trying to tell Saturated that she's in fact bored with her life and this is her way of communicating that fact?<br /> <br />Saturated needs to examine the friendship more closely before just accepting the fact that the friend talks about "boring" things.<br /><br />If the friend is thoughtful and supportive, why not return the favour?Verbosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17915611864239905101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-80030030634013567652012-05-03T12:32:01.299-04:002012-05-03T12:32:01.299-04:00Nice way to tackle a delicate situation. Really pr...Nice way to tackle a delicate situation. Really practical.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-5601608414568397552012-05-03T09:29:56.641-04:002012-05-03T09:29:56.641-04:00That texting suggestion is an excellent one!That texting suggestion is an excellent one!kristennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-12527000810440846292012-04-19T00:33:40.677-04:002012-04-19T00:33:40.677-04:00The thing that you're forgetting is that Crosb...The thing that you're forgetting is that Crosby is still pretty young. He's managed to build up a pretty impressive rep given his age, so he will have the natural inclination to be arrogant --especially since he's getting paid obscene amounts of money (as are the other players in NHL). As a result, he's gonna mouth off. Hockey has it's own kind of etiquette, and even though it doesn't apply to, say a garden party, it's just how it is. <br />I'm just thankful that they wear all that gear. Have you seen hockey games from 40+ years ago? Players back then had to be tough and they weren't getting paid the kind of money players are being given today.Verbosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17915611864239905101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-10708581043968424672012-04-16T18:34:21.110-04:002012-04-16T18:34:21.110-04:00Grace - thanks. That is what I normally do. With o...Grace - thanks. That is what I normally do. With one or two clueless people, however, saying "thank you" has the direct and measurable and unwanted effect of affirming their actions and inviting more of the same. Seriously; when I respond with any positive reaction, it is taken as an invitation to push the agenda further. The other area this comes up is with unwanted and invasive backhanded compliments about food choices. I wish there were a polite way to say "thanks, but no thanks!" when it comes to "compliments" that over and over again are given with even a kindly intent of reforming someone else's life.Claudianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-87923335144843569402012-04-14T21:07:45.086-04:002012-04-14T21:07:45.086-04:00I like the way you write "If not, this might ...I like the way you write "If not, this might be a job for Human Resources."<br />The write up is helpful as always.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-44345427543872269472012-04-14T09:44:02.286-04:002012-04-14T09:44:02.286-04:00Claudia: Go back to what you said above: &quo...Claudia: Go back to what you said above: "These compliments are meant to be kind and affirming..." Even if you disagree with them, the easiest and most Gracious course of action is to say thank you and move on. Whether this woman has a personal agenda aiming to stamp out cosmetic usage or is just being nice is immaterial. You will never go wrong with "thank you." Ditto the meanies who remark on your 'skinny legs' (which you are self conscious about) or your aquiline nose. "Thank you" keeps you in the Gracious zone: if they are trying to be rude, your good manners takes away their power to do so, and if they genuinely think your pins are fab, you'll have thanked them just the same. It's tough being a Grace among grunts. Thanks for reading, thanks for writing!<br />SGSocial Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10715242748755030957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-38847085296420260252012-04-14T01:35:43.247-04:002012-04-14T01:35:43.247-04:00Grace, what do you do about compliments that are g...Grace, what do you do about compliments that are given to reinforce some trait that you DON'T like and that the giver KNOWS you don't like? <br /><br />An example: a motherly type that has told me before that she thinks I, and other girls in their 30s, should wear less makeup. On a day when I overslept and barely showered in time for work, she takes the opportunity to gush about how beautiful I look without eye makeup.<br /><br />These compliments are meant to be kind (at least from this person) and affirming of some kind of virtue that she wants for my life, but they just feel manipulative and forceful. I am left seething and trying not to say something snarky like "Well, I'm glad you like it; I'm glad I don't have to see myself at the moment."Claudianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-83610776910211669452012-04-12T22:02:15.329-04:002012-04-12T22:02:15.329-04:00You always address the issues that actually have u...You always address the issues that actually have us all stumped. Great piece of writing here.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-83935060049746753942012-04-04T21:36:38.916-04:002012-04-04T21:36:38.916-04:00Definitely a great help.Definitely a great help.Whispering Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00545008138362955040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34038096.post-4002837224559983532012-03-31T09:48:55.551-04:002012-03-31T09:48:55.551-04:00I don't remember any embarrassing situations a...I don't remember any embarrassing situations at the moment, but in your case, I think it is better to be oblivious of what's going on, otherwise the night would be ruined and you were uncomfortable. I bet that not so many people even noticed.Juliahttp://etiquette-tips.comnoreply@blogger.com