F.S. ~ Waterfront Etiquette

This weather is just begging for us to go to the pool, beach, lake -- anywhere waterfront! Like every other aspect of life, there are things that make our time there more enjoyable. Here are just a few...

• Playing music at the beach or pool can be nice, but be sure that you keep it low enough so as not to disturb those around you.
• Especially when coming from the beach, be sure to rinse off any dirt or sand before getting in to the pool. 
• Respect the lifeguards. Don't bother them or distract them from their job. 
• Dress modestly and appropriately for those around you.
• Be sure to clean up your area when you are ready to go in for the day.
• Many people this time of year are training for triathlons or other swimming events. Be courteous of lap swimmers in the pool. They are zoned in to their workout and a disturbance can be very disruptive. 
• Be courteous of those around you -- be careful not to sling water or sand on your neighbors. 
• At the beach, take the colored flags seriously. Use appropriate caution when the purple, orange, or red flags are flying. The coast guards are not trying to ruin your day at the beach...in fact, quite the opposite. They would much rather you have to spend the day in the village or at the pool or sitting on the sand, than being swept away by the current or eaten alive by a jellyfish! 
• It's easy to get caught up in our own agendas when we are at the beach, pool, or lake. Just remember to consider others and their preferences. This is especially true at the lake when half of those in the boat want to tube and the other half would prefer to ski. Defer to the boat driver to make the ultimate decision, and remember that most likely you will have fun doing either. 
• At the pool, beach, or lake (just like everywhere else), you are a witness for Christ!

Happy Swimming!

F.S. ~ The Sandwich

'Tis the season for hamburgers, cold turkey sandwiches, and roast beef hoagies. Add to it some potato salad and coleslaw and you have a decidedly Southern summer meal. For gentlemen, the hamburger piled high with toppings and condiments does not usually pose a problem. For those of us striving to be ladylike in all situations, the big burgers and sandwiches can prove to be a challenge.

When you have flattened your hamburger or sandwich down as far as it will go without relinquishing all of its contents, and it still will not fit in your mouth, what are you to do?

First of all, begin by cutting any large burger or sandwich in half, and see if that helps. It may become necessary to remove a few pickles or tomatoes and that can be done using one's fork. Food that is taken off or falls off the sandwich should be handled with one's fork and knife. As you pick up the sandwich, you should lean only slightly forward and bring the sandwich up to your mouth. Do not lean down over the table to meet your sandwich. You will note that having your napkin in your lap is, as always, mandatory at this point. For club sandwiches, you can remove the toothpick.

The great question when eating a sandwich is: "Is it okay to put my elbows on the table?" That answer is, as you can probably guess: no. Elbows on the table is just simply not good manners. As you bring the sandwich up to your mouth, keep your arms off the table. This will help maintain an overall good posture at the table.

These tips should not diminish the pleasure that a properly grilled hamburger or a masterfully constructed sandwich can bring. Instead, they should increase it as you maintain your etiquette and poise.

F.S. ~ Embroidery

Finishing schools of yesteryear not only encouraged young women to be proficient in social graces, etiquette, and manners, but also in the art of homemaking. To be truly finished, a young woman would be accomplished in handwork such as knitting and embroidery.

Embroidery can be done on the hem of an apron, on the face of a pillowcase, on a cloth sachet, or simply on a piece of linen to be framed. There are patterns for embroidery, but unlike specially knitted things or counted cross stitch, one does not have to have a pattern to embroider. Use these stitches to create your own beautiful embellishment.

F.S. ~ Dining Out

  Imagine the days when dining out was rare, expensive, and only for the extremely special occasion. Today, we often dine out instead of at home, we call in carry-out, and we have events catered in lieu of home preparation. So, here are a few tips for those times when you're dining out with an individual or group.

• Always be on time or early. When it comes to eating, schedules and hungry people appreciate promptness.
• If you are early, wait for your party to be seated, unless you clarify that you will be seated before they arrive. "I will go ahead and get a table if I am early," or "I will wait for you in the lobby." Of course, if there is a wait time, sign in as soon as you get there to facilitate your time.  
• At nicer restaurants where the table setting is more complex, follow the chart below. Also see the earlier F.S. Post. 

• Do not begin eating until the entire table has been served.
• If you are with a large party of people and you know that the check is going to be split up, most restaurants will accommodate you and give each person or couple their own ticket and collect accordingly. Most waiters or waitresses will ask as they take orders, but it is always most polite to let them know at the beginning of the meal how the checks will be paid. When dining at finer restaurants, it is proper for one person to receive the check and then have everyone pay that one person. 
• Leave a generous tip. The tip is a reflection of what kind of person you are. The proper amount to tip a waiter or waitress is 15% to 20%. The rule used to be to calculate it from the before-tax total, but it has recently been pointed out that wait staff pays taxes off of their tips, so now the tip should be calculated from the after-tax total.
• The question most often wondered about when eating out is, "When do I let someone else pay for my meal?" When friends meet up for lunch or dinner or tea, it is usually understood that everyone will pay for themselves. If you are out to eat with people older than you or more important than you, they may very likely offer to pay for your meal. It is all right to object, but eventually, when they refuse to surrender, thank them. 
• What if it is a guy and you are not sure you are comfortable with letting him pay for your meal? There are two ways to look at this: 1. Girls feel as if they are sending the signal "I like you" when they let the guy pay, and sometimes they are. 2. Guys sometimes like to pay for the girl, because it is their nature to provide and protect and letting her pay for her own seems to them against the grain. Basically it comes down to judging the situation. The same applies here as when anyone else is buying your meal; it is all right to object but do not cause a scene. 
• Most importantly, use your manners! Listen more than you talk and treat the wait staff and hostess with kindness. See the earlier post: Table Manners. 

Questions regarding this topic? Leave them as a comment!

F.S. ~ A Maid of Honor

Back to our wedding series...A Maid of Honor. She is a very important part of the wedding! First of all, it is an incredible honor to be asked to stand as Maid or Matron of Honor. The Maid of Honor leads the bridal party. Many of the responsibilities are the same as a bridesmaid (see post A Bridesmaid), except that this is more of a leadership role.

• Be there for technical and moral support. The bride may rely on you to be her right hand during the wedding process, but she may also need you for stress relief! Be encouraging, make her laugh, be supportive, and help her enjoy it. 
• Help with pre-wedding logistics with the bridesmaids. There are lots of decisions to be made, orders to be placed, and errands to be run when it comes to outfitting the bridesmaids for wedding day. Let the bride know that you will be in charge of anything she needs to hand over to you. Just keep in mind that it is her wedding, and be sure to get her approval when necessary. 
• Stay informed as to where the bride is registered, where events are being held, what the arrangements are for out-of-town guests, etc., so that you can take some of the pressure of questions from guests off of the bride.
• Attend all of the showers and parties given for the bride.
• Make sure that you or some other designated person keeps a record of all gifts received at pre-wedding events. 
• Host a bridal shower. The bridesmaids may also want to participate in this, and it is a great opportunity for all of you to get together and throw the bride a party. However, you as Maid of Honor lead the way!
• Coordinate bridesmaids during wedding weekend. Make sure that out-of-town bridesmaids have somewhere to stay and that they receive all the details of events. 
• On the day of the wedding, be sure that the bridesmaids all get where they need to be, have their hair and makeup taken care of, and receive all the necessary items they need for the ceremony. It may be helpful to type up a sheet of information for them (dates, times, and places of events; when to arrive on wedding day, what to bring, and helpful little tips and reminders).
• On wedding day, be sure the bride has all she needs. You should be assisted in this by the other bridesmaids who are also looking out for the bride. Usually, you are most helpful in seeing that the bride is not overloaded with little details that you can handle.
• Make sure the bride has the marriage license.
• As the ceremony begins, help arrange her train if needed. 
• Hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony when the vows begin.
• Make sure the bride's train is properly arranged as she leaves the ceremony. 
• At the reception, help direct guests where to go for the food line, where to sign the guestbook, where to place gifts, etc.
• Be sure that the bride gets something to eat before she leaves the ceremony. 
• Be willing to assist the bride whenever she needs you! 

While it seems like a lot of things to remember, it is a joy to come alongside a bride and help make her special day as special as possible!

F.S. ~ QnA: Posture

Q. What is the proper posture one should have when sitting, standing, walking, etc.?

A. An excellent topic! Posture is a very important part of appearance. A slouchy posture affects your appearance in a negative way, and pretty posture enhances beauty exponentially!

When sitting, your posture should be such that you are sitting directly on top of your "sitting bones." Your shoulders should be back but relaxed, and your ears should be directly over your shoulders. Avoid any arch in your back; your legs and back should be at a ninety degree angle.

Slide down into your seat gracefully. Depending on the length of your skirt, you can cross your legs at the ankles or cross your legs at the knees. Shorter skirts make it absolutely forbidden for you to cross your legs at the knees, and it is generally considered more proper to cross your legs at the ankles, no matter your skirt length. You can also leave your feet flat on the floor and together, either side by side or one sightly in front of the other. Your hands should be in your lap and possibly to one side rather than in the middle.

When standing, your posture should still be tall and upright. Pin your shoulders back and move your head back so that your ears are over your shoulders. Hold your stomach in, and tuck your hips under as you walk. Take smaller steps and keep your feet under you and close together. This will help avoid a boyish gait and make you appear polished and poised.

As you practice good posture, be confident, wear a smile on your face, and remember that beauty comes from the Lord! Your inner beauty will shine forth as you endeavor to hold high the character and appearance that God has blessed you with!

The Q & A is still open! Leave your question(s) as a comment to this post or e-mail it to: seasonsinclair@gmail.com

F.S. ~ Wedding Attire

F.S. ~ A Wedding Guest

Everyone most likely will have the privilege of being a guest at a wedding. As with all other events, there are etiquette tips to guide us to make the occasion more pleasant for us and all those we're around.

1. Remember to R.S.V.P. as soon as possible by the method outlined in the invitation. See my earlier post, R.S.V.P.
2. Find out from the invitation what the dress code is. The time of the wedding should indicate to you how formal it will be.
3. Girls should not wear white to the wedding or even ivory or off-white. The bride is supposed to stand out in white. It is also best not to look like one of the bridesmaids. If you know what color and style they are wearing, steer away from that.
4. Arrive for the ceremony at least twenty minutes early. Thirty minutes is best. If you arrive after the doors have been closed, seat yourself quietly in the back (left side = bride's side, right side = groom's side). If the ceremony has already begun, wait until the bride has reached the altar and then seat yourself quietly in the back.
5. Do not just go to the reception and not the ceremony. If it is only possible for you to make it to the reception, that is okay, but you have been invited because the couple wants to share their wedding with you.
6. If you are able to, stay until after the cake has been cut. You do not want it to look like you came for the free food and then left.
7. Follow the couple's lead when the dancing begins.
8. If you are not a fan of the bouquet or garter toss, just stand quietly in the back and smile.
9. When you leave, find a member of the family and thank them.

F.S. ~ 'Tis the Season for Tea

Hot tea, that is!

    In the South, iced sweet tea is a necessary part of life, but as the days grow colder, we begin to put the kettle on for hot tea a bit more often. 

    The small and quaint neighborhood I grew up in was just outside town. Our next door neighbor was an authentic English-born gentlewoman straight from the pages of an Austen novel. Friendly and enchanting, she kept a cookie jar for her frequent guests who dropped in for tea. Occasionally we would go to her house and find her seated alone at her kitchen table overlooking her tiny garden "taking her tea." My mother took tea with her a few times, and I was always delighted by the ritual. A dainty teacup filled with steaming tea somehow adds a poetic touch to any setting.

    A few things to keep in mind as you fill the kettle in preparation for tea time:

• There are differing opinions of how a teacup should be held. Pinkies up or not? Most commonly it is said that "pinkies up" is bad manners and one should follow the example of Elizabeth Bennet.

 

• When tea is served at the table, the teacup can be a part of the table setting and will appear to the right of the knife and spoon and just below the other cups. Often tea is served with dessert and the cups are then brought to the table when dessert appears. 

• The hostess is responsible for pouring the tea if it is served in a pot on the table. When the hostess or waiter does not pour the pot, the person closest to it should offer to pour and should fill his or her cup last. 
• It is not polite to dunk unless in a coffee shop setting. 
• When stirring your tea, try not to let the spoon hit the sides and cause noise.
• Just as with soup, never slurp your tea and never blow it to cool it off.
• When your tea bag has finished steeping, you should remove it and let it drip before placing it on the saucer or other plate. Do not squeeze the bag with your fingers or spoon. Emily Post suggests placing your tea bag in the pot, if possible, to avoid the messiness.

This only scratches the surface of the long tradition and etiquette of hot tea. Hot tea has a vast history and has been associated with everyone from nobles and aristocrats to humble peasants. No matter the place, the time, or the social setting, sipping tea from a beautifully embellished teacup is a pleasure worth experiencing.

F.S. ~ Soup's On

The weather has turned cold, winter is coming, and soup is on the menu! Everyone enjoys a steaming bowl of soup to warm body and soul on cold days. There are so many different soup recipes from chili to chowder, but there are etiquette guidelines that govern them all.

In the previous Finishing School post, Abby gave us a lovely video of Emily Post and her guidelines for table manners. The proper way to eat soup was part of it, and here are the basics.

• Soup bowls are served on plates for a reason! The plate catches those accidental spills and overflows and provides a place for you to rest your spoon when it has been used. 

• When eating soup, sit up straight, but lean forward over your soup bowl so that drips fall back into the bowl and not on you.

• Although it is very hard to resist, never blow on your soup to cool it. You may stir it or simply wait. 

• Spoon the soup by tilting and moving the spoon away from you. Sip from the side of the spoon closest to you, or if it is chunky soup, you may put the whole bite in your mouth. If you need to, you can tilt the bowl away from you to spoon the last little bit. Never slurp your soup!

• When you are finished with your soup, the spoon should be placed on the plate or the saucer parallel to the edge of the table with the handle facing towards the right. It is impolite to leave your spoon in the cup or bowl at any time.

Observe these few helpful hints and you will be sure to receive nods of etiquette approval!

F.S. ~ Tips on Punctuality

 Autumn is here and brings with it the pleasant cool weather and beautiful scenes we all enjoy. Even the dog seems exhilarated as if to exclaim: "It's cool outside! Come play!"

"The leaves began to change. Hot tea became more precious, 

books more sought after, fires warmer, and walks more pleasant."
-That We Might Have Hope  

Although the autumn garden is muted with new blooms and fading flowers, this season is regarded by some as a time of beginnings. School supplies, wooly wardrobes, and a flurry of activities and gatherings dot the calendar of cooler months.

  This brings us to our Finishing School topic...Punctuality. With all of these events to attend, punctuality should be in the forefront of our minds. Respect and honor are best shown by being on time, whether it is a hayride, school meeting, business presentation, or worship gathering.

So here are just a few basic guidelines to encourage a timely arrival:

 ~At an open house, it is appropriate to arrive during the designated times. If the invitation says from 2 until 4, then you can drop by anytime within those two hours and it would be acceptable, if you are sure to leave by 4.

~It is not polite to arrive early to a dinner party unless you are asked to help with preparations. Arriving early can send the host or hostess into a panic! Your hostess will appreciate your timely arrival as serving dinner depends on it!

~If it is a wedding you are attending, it is appropriate and preferred to be early. Wedding guests should arrive at least 20 minutes early so that you are then able to be escorted to your seat. 

~If circumstances beyond your control make you late, it is polite to call ahead if you are meeting with friends or business associates to let them know you will be late. Be honest; don't blame it on traffic if you just slept in late.

Tardiness is sometimes unavoidable, but as we gather together this season remember... 

"Punctuality is the politeness of kings."  Louis XVIII

F.S.~ A Glance Back at Summer

  

  As we welcome in the autumn season and all the wonderful sights, sounds, and scents that it brings, we take a look back at the Finishing School topics we have covered through the summer.

In July, it was handwritten notes.

    Picture a woman seated at a desk, her skirt flowing around her, the inkwell open before her, and a quill pen in her hand as she begins to write a letter. The pen against the paper makes a scratching sound with each stroke, indicating the thought that passes from author to paper and soon to recipient. Perhaps her face is in her hand and she gazes into space searching for the appropriate words to express her feelings. 
    That sounds lovely, but how often do we find ourselves in such a position? It is true that quill pens and flowing skirts are not as common as they once were, but the handwritten note is equally as elegant and lovely today as it was when Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy quarreled about true reputations. 

In August it was RSVP...Répondezs’il vou plait.

• If a response card is included, return it within a few days of receiving the invitation. 
• If there is a phone number or e-mail address for RSVP, respond likewise within a few days of receiving the invitation. Remember that leaving a message is never a guarantee that your response will be received. 
• If there is simply RSVP, return a handwritten note within a few days.
• When there is not RSVP, it is still courteous to respond.

Next in August it was The Hostess with the Mostess and Emily Post's "Six Ways to Be a Good Host."

1) Invite clearly.
2) Plan well.
3) Remain calm.
4) Keep your guests feeling welcome.
5) Be flexible and gracious.
6) Be appreciative.

Finally, the last post of the summer was handshakes.

• A man shakes another man's hand firmly.
• A woman shakes a man's hand by offering hers palm down, and the man takes only her fingers and squeezes gently before releasing.
• It is a woman's place to extend her hand to a man.
• Eye contact is important.

____________________________

Autumn brings a new set of Finishing School posts!

P.S. Like the new banner? :)

F.S. ~ RSVP

    "What does R.S.V.P. stand for?" I asked the question when I was young and have been asked it many times since then. R.S.V.P. stands for the French phrase: Répondez s’il vou plaît. It means: please respond. However, it's not that simple; there are several ways to respond to an invitation. Some invitations do not include the request to R.S.V.P., but it is still courteous to inform your host or hostess of whether or not you plan to attend. Invitations that do have R.S.V.P. may include a response card. This is typical for formal invitations such as wedding invitations. Fill out the card as directed and mail as soon as possible. Keep in mind that as soon as possible means the next day or two!

    If the R.S.V.P. is given with a phone number or e-mail address, respond likewise. Remember when calling, that it is best not to leave a message as you will never be sure that it was received. An invitation that does not include a specified means for replying should be responded to by a written note. The note should be sent, like the response card, within the next few days. So, next time someone is puzzled by R.S.V.P. you will know: "It is French and it stands for Répondez s’il vou plaît, which means, 'please respond.'"

F.S. ~ Handwritten Notes

"Corresponding on paper lets you elevate a simple pleasure into an art form. And art  has always survived technology. A handwritten note is like dining by candlelight instead of flicking on the lights, like making a gift instead of ordering a product, like taking a walk instead of driving. Handwritten notes will add a lot to your life. You can still use the telephone or the Web for the daily chores of staying in touch, but for the words that matter, it's courteous, classy, caring, and civilized to pick up a pen." From The Art of the Handwritten Note by Margaret Shepherd. 

As I strolled through the "Bargain" shelves at Barnes and Noble, this book title, The Art of the Handwritten Note, caught my eye. While I glanced through the pages, I realized that I have very few friends who correspond through handwritten letters or notes. Correspondence from friends and family is dear to me. Yet rarely do I print out an e-mail and tack it to my bulletin board, nor do I record phone calls for sentimentality. Tucked under the ribbons of the rose patterned memory board hanging on the wall are verse cards and letters penned by my closest friends. The treasures that fill our keepsake boxes are things done by hand.

Picture a woman seated at a desk, her skirt flowing around her, the inkwell open before her and a quill pen in her hand as she begins to write a letter. The pen against the paper makes a scratching sound with each stroke indicating the thought that passes from author to paper and soon to recipient. Perhaps her face is in her hand and she gazes into space searching for the appropriate words to express her feelings. That sounds lovely, but how often do we find ourselves in such a position? It is true that quill pens and flowing skirts are not as common as they once were, but the handwritten note is equally as elegant and lovely today as it was when Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy quarreled about true reputations.

A handwritten note does not need a specific occasion, although there are occasions that call for them. Thank-you notes will be left to another F.S. post altogether, for they occupy a special category of the notes we are discussing. You do not have to have perfect penmanship or a talent for artistic embellishments to make a note worth sending. Notes sent by mail require forethought and a willingness to bless. In an age that makes communication instant, messages spontaneous, and cards virtual, the handwritten note stands out. It communicates to the recipient extra thoughtfulness and polish.

F.S. ~ Napkin Etiquette

 “Don’t smack.”

“Do not talk with your mouth full.”

“Please put your napkin in your lap.”

“Elbows off the table.”

We have all heard these things many times and have learned what it means to have proper table manners. Have you ever stopped to think why we follow these rules and where exactly they came from?

As I was searching for the particulars that go beyond the basic rules of napkin etiquette, I was surprised to find out how many people do not know the importance of putting their napkins in their laps! Oh my!

Napkins originated in France where they began as a large napkin that was shared around the table (eww). Gradually napkins became a more personal size, and by the 1700’s there were rules in place to guide one in its use.

Once the hostess has taken her napkin from the table and placed it in her lap, you may do the same. Leaving your napkin on the table is a sign of bad manners. Placing the napkin in your lap has two basic functions. First, the napkin is not to be seen and can be hidden under the table in your lap. Second, crumbs that drop will most likely fall to your lap, and more than one spoiled outfit has been avoided by having a napkin in its proper place! Because napkins are not to be seen, they should be placed discreetly in your chair and not on the table, if you have to excuse yourself for any reason.

Napkins are to dab the food from your mouth, not wipe it.

When the meal is over you can then place the napkin on the table to the left of your plate. If your napkin was in a napkin ring it should begin by having the point facing towards your chair. When you finish the meal you should return the napkin to the ring and face it towards the center of the table (still on the left side of your plate).

            Although there are times when it seems that it might be best to tuck your napkin under your chin, the only time this is appropriate would be a meal of lobster or a place where it was culturally acceptable (not here!). Otherwise, “napkin in your lap” should remain the standard.

F.S. ~ Table Setting

Here is a great video on how to set a formal table setting. Practice it with your family's dinner this evening and make them feel special.

F.S. ~ Top 10 Table Manners

Emily Post has been keeping us proper at the table for years. Here is her top 10 table manners to remember next time you gather around to feast!

1. Chew with your mouth closed.

2. Avoid slurping, smacking, and blowing your nose.

3. Don’t use your utensils like a shovel or as if you’ve just stabbed the food you’re about to eat.

4. Don’t pick your teeth at the table.

5. Remember to use your napkin at all times.

6. Wait until you’re done chewing to sip or swallow a drink. (The exception is if you’re choking.)

7. Cut only one piece of food at a time.

8. Avoid slouching and don’t place your elbows on the table while eating (though it is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses).

9. Instead of reaching across the table for something, ask for it to be passed to you.

10. Always say "excuse me" whenever you leave the table.

F.S. ~ High Tea

In honor of the 100th year anniversary of the Titanic, some ladies got together to practice their fine manners as high society ladies of old. Here is a little video to help inspire you and me to be women of noble character and delight in one of the aspects of womanhood.

Enjoy!

F.S. ~ Texting

You may or may not have a texting plan, but we all can use some basic advice about communicating this way. The benefits of texting can be great, but the way we often use texting can be dangerous and rude.

The bad news about texting...
As we know, texting while driving can cause accidents that can cause our deaths or others on the road. Texting (along with any activity that diverts our focus from driving) is not as important as safety... and no, I don't say this just because my dad is in safety/environmental management. ;)

In any case, the question we need to ask ourselves, "Is texting more important than the things that are going on around me?" Sometimes the answer is yes! Sometimes no. Pleasure texting is generally considered rude at church; a class or lecture; a business meeting; or the dinner table.

Many times our priorities get off-kilter, but safety and spending time with the people in our lives and being willing to listen to them should be some of our top concerns!

I have to keep myself in check when my phone dings with a new message. Before I wrote this post, I was sitting with my grandmother at her doctor's appointment when I heard the ding, and I had a choice... do I look at my phone and answer, or do I spend the time talking with my grandmother? This time I chose to talk with her; I knew the text message could wait, but the moment with my grandmother could never be retrieved.

When I get into a situation where I know I must answer a text immediately, I try to excuse myself and politely apologize for being rude. People usually appreciate the gesture. I also try not to hide behind my phone when faced with a new group of people. (You know how easy it is to pretend you're texting if you're feeling awkward at a gathering. ;) Answering a text in a timely manner is important. I try not to put someone off when they really need something answered.

The good news about texting...
It can be a huge timesaver! I love the ability to text a quick question to someone rather than sitting down to write an email, or scheduling time to talk on the phone.

I also love being able to send a quick thank-you or a short "I'm thinking about you." I oftentimes send someone a message that I'm praying for her so she might be encouraged when I know she is having a hard day.

The balancing game never ends in life, even when it comes to properly communicating with the people the Lord has placed in our lives! So now that you have read this post, go text your friend to read it... :}

F.S. ~ Hello Future, Part 2

You are scrolling through your facebook feed and then you hear that sound. Bling! You forgot to click offline! And now someone wants to chat. Let's be real. Google+ or facebook chat, and now video chat, offer some of the greatest features of social media -- or the most awkward. 

So what do you do to be polite, yet shorten the conversation to a 5-minute chat instead of a 40-minute one? And what if you just don't have any time at all?

Be honest. If you don't have the appropriate time to chat with a friend or family member, then let them know, but ask them if they would be available at another time. You can always ask if they have a quick question that they need answered or if they just want to chat. Set up a time where you both could be online and be sure to be true to your word. Just because we are using technological advances doesn't mean we have the excuse to be rude. Also, don't put someone off, then continue to linger on facebook. If you have work to do, then do it quickly, close chat, and sign out.

When you want to initiate chat with someone, ask them if they have the time. Or be up front and let them know you have a quick question.

Having etiquette of 2012 will personify an ageless, polished demeanor and help others to feel you are putting them first!

Happy Chatting!