How does the above relate to manners and etiquette?  After you have applied for a job, do you  want to hear that your application was received?  Do you want to know if you are being considered for the position?  Do you desire to hear any comment from the employer? Yes, of course you do.  Why would you go to all the trouble of applying if you weren’t serious about the job?

There have been many times that people have told me that they never heard one word from a prospective employer.  Unfortunately, this has been happening even before the recent economic crisis.  I understand that today there are many applicants applying for one job.  What I don’t understand is the lack of response on the employer’s part.  Where did common courtesy go with respect to acknowledging the applicant?  Many may say that it’s too difficult to respond to all applicants.  Well, I disagree.  With modern technology, it’s easy to have  a generic e-mail that can be sent.  I personally know  of people who have applied for specific jobs where the number of applicants isn’t high that never heard anything from the employer.  What kind of impression is the employer giving to the applicant?  I don’t believe that it is a very good one.  There needs to be some acknowledgment on the employer’s part.  Put yourself in their position.  Would you like it if no one responded to you?  I don’t think you would.

Manners and courtesy transcend all aspects of our lives.  We must strive to remember this in all situations even if the situation seems a little overwhelming.

Ginny Brown

Email Ginny Brown
770-296-4159 cell

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

The articles which were sent to me made references to the more casual style dressing by the First Lady which was displayed on our president’s European trip ,  the style of greeting  towards heads of states ,especially the  Queen of England, and to the lack of decorum for picture taking.  As I stated, this isn’t about politics.  It is however about decorum and protocol or as some in the media have said lack of protocol.

I do believe that at all times we need to strive to put our best foot forward when meeting someone.  It says a lot about ourselves and the respect we have for others and ourselves.   I know the White House has a protocol staff which is there to instruct the President and  First Lady on issues of protocol.

I am interested in what you think about these articles and pictures which have been written and shown during and since the President’s trip abroad.  Is there a more casual presence in the White House?  Are people blowing this out of proportion?  Is our country being represented in the best light as far as protocol is concerned?  What are your thoughts?

Questions or comments are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

Check your appearance.  Make sure your clothes are pressed and clean.  Check your personal hygiene.  Be sure to check your breath.  You don’t want to knock your date over with bad breath!  Instead, knock him/her over with looking the best that you can.  Watch the perfume and cologne.  Don’t go overboard with the good smelling fragrances.  Comb the hair, tuck in the shirt tail, and polish the shoes .  Now put on a great smile and have fun.

Meet the parents.  Whether you are nervous or not, you want to make a good impression on your date and the parents.  When meeting the parents shake their hands and look them in the eye while introducing yourself.  When leaving, tell them it was nice to meet them.  Young men remember  to hold the door for your date while leaving the house and while getting into the car.  Your date will be impressed with your  manners.

Eating at the restaurant.  You want to remember that you are trying to make a good impression.  Remember to chew with your mouth closed, don’t talk with food in your mouth,  no burping, don’t put your face in your plate and shovel your food in like it’s your last meal, put your napkin in your lap, don’t use a toothpick, and young men please hold the chair for your date.   This is your time  to shine with your date and friends.

Remember to thank your chaperons for giving of their time to make prom night possible.  It takes a lot of community effort to host prom.  People appreciate it when their efforts are recognized.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

Even though my friend was the mother of the groom and not in charge of the wedding,  I knew the weekend affairs would be lovely because of previous parties I had attended given by my friend.  This one was, however, going to be even more special.  Some of the people hosting parties and attending the wedding are famous dignitaries.   I knew the events would be first class and sophisticated.  Often when a person receives invitations such as these, they immediately think “Do I know how to handle myself in this situation?”  You know the reception will be a very formal dinner with four or five courses served. You think “Will I know which fork to use?”   You also know that there will be many new people and some dignitaries who you will be meeting.  You then think to yourself    “Do I know how to greet someone properly and how to introduce people properly?”  All sorts of etiquette questions run through your mind when you think of the type of  situation you will be in at the affair.

Fortunately, I was taught etiquette at an early age growing up in my small hometown.  Manners were just a way of life.  I was most fortunate to have the benefit of learning manners and practicing them so that they became second nature.    In most social situations throughout my life, I have felt properly prepared.  After receiving my  certification as an etiquette consultant, I feel even more confident of being able to handle myself in various social situations. I knew  I could attend the wedding festivities and not worry about feeling uncomfortable or out of place with my manners.   None of us likes to be placed in a situation where we don’t know what is proper.  It embarrasses us, and this hinders our ability to shine as the wonderful people that we are.

If you feel the need to polish your manners, read an etiquette book or better  yet, take an etiquette class.  You will be amazed at how much you will learn, and you will find that it is not an overwhelming task to learn some new etiquette tips.

If you have had an experience where you were not prepared and would like to share it, please do.  Or if you were in a situation and your manners led the way, please share this.  Any comments are welcome.

Questions or comments are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com

When I was growing up, my brother and I were taught to respect others.  Our parents were wonderful role models, and they showed by example  how to treat and relate to others.  Respectful behavior was expected as the norm.  We were not perfect children by any means, but we did learn the meaning of being respectful to ourselves and other people.  The Golden Rule was the example we followed.  As a child, I remember my parents saying so many times “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  I don’t know at the time if I realized this meant respect others.  That was a pretty big word when I was little.  However, I did know that it meant to be nice and kind to people just like you wanted them to treat you.

Somewhere along the way, the Golden Rule has taken a backseat in our world today.  Many people are consumed with themselves in their careers, social life, and home life.  It’s all about me.  I come first is the attitude of some people.  The problem  with this type of behavior is the example it is setting for our children and others.  If we aren’t respectful and considerate of others, why should our children be?  A parent is a child’s greatest teacher.  It’s not difficult to be respectful of one another.  My mother was very fond of saying that it took a lot more effort to be rude to someone than it did to be nice to them.

As parents, teachers, and adults, we must strive to bring back respect in our lives for our well-being and our children’s well-being.  This is a foundation block for a civilized society.  We all benefit from respectful and considerate behavior.  When we make being respectful one of our everyday behaviors, we are on the way to having good etiquette and manners.

Questions or comments are always appreciated.

Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell

http://etiquette-blog.com