First Impressions Matter

Just like manners matter we believe that first impressions matter. So, with back to school this week we’ve been thinking a lot about fall preparation and how to clean up, get ready, and meet new people. In this post, we’re highlighting some considerations while prepping for back-to-school or any situation where first impressions may be long-lasting.

Courtesy: You’ll meet new people. Don’t forget to smile, make eye contact, and do a proper greeting (“good morning”, “shake hands” - whatever is appropriate for your situation).

Dressing for Success: A solid balance of what comfort and class is a good strategy here. Yes, comfort is key. That said, it’s imperative that one gives more than a five second thought as to that first day outfit. Make sure it’s clean, fits well, and is odor and wrinkle-free.

Body Language Basics: Often times, first impressions are made from body language not even spoken words. Be sure to stand straight, look people in the eye and SMILE!

Punctuality and Respect: Be sure to be there on time or a minute or two (not more!) before the start time. Timeliness is a crucial aspect of showing respect.

The Power of “Please and Thank you”. This should be obvious, but in our modern world where much communication is through devices, communication is diminished and there’s not as much practice with common etiquette practices. Saying PLEASE when asking for something and THANK YOU after receipt is certain to win some major first impression points.

Mindful Listening: There’s a reason you’re meetings someone new - be in a peer, teacher, mentor or friend. Listen to the words, and recognize the body language, to ensure the engagement is a positive one.

Name Game: A common fail in 'first impressions’ is not recalling the name that was said. We have some super fun strategies to share when it comes to remembering names!

Tech-Free Zone: As a sign of respect, put the device in do-no-disturb or silence mode. This will also aid in the above actions (remembering names, mindful listening, etc.)

Yes, it’s easier said than done! Join our classes to spend some time focusing on and practicing these essential skills!

Thank you notes...

Summer time - lots of fun, visitors, and gatherings. My birthday is in the summer, so it’s also a time for lots of presents! This year seemed to be the year of the fun earrings (yay!)

This also means there are thank you notes. Lots of THANK YOU NOTES!

We’re catching up right now actually. And that’s OK. Sometimes it may take a little while before a thank you note is written. Ideally, get to the note ASAP, and here are some sample timelines:

• Dinner Party - within one week

• Interview - 24 to 48 hours

• Presents - within 2 weeks

But, if it doesn’t happen right away remember the golden rule:

A late thank you is still better than no thank you!

In our next post, we’ll go over some tips and practices for thank you notes. How to make them easy to write, fun, and most importantly - rememberable! Stay tuned.

For training and practice, sign up for our PRIVATE manners classes. Thank You note writing is an important skills and one we cover.

Eating Out ... Lobstah Night

Last night I had a great Lobster dinner with my family. My sis and her kids are in town, so we decided to go to a local hot spot and get their Monday night special… LOBSTER. It’s a friendly atmosphere. Kids welcome. Indoor and outdoor seating. Hoppin’ bar. Free popcorn while you wait. And crowded - super crowded for a Monday night. Maybe it was the lobster draw…?

As we were enjoying our dinner (and the fact that the kiddos had a separate table), I looked over and observed another guest. Without being judgmental (ok, maybe a bit since manners has been on my mind) I turned to my husband and said, “I’ve got my next blog post.” The woman at the table next to us was sitting ‘criss cross apple sauce’. At the table. While eating dinner. As you can imagine, that means her shoes were on the floor. So, barefoot, criss cross, eating “lobstah”… the inspiration for this post.

Here are some additional reminders / things to think about when eating out:

1. No shirt, no shoes, no service. Funny enough, my nephew was bare chested as we arrived at the restaurant since my sister was meeting us there with his outfit. We made sure he waited by the car until we could deliver his clothing. It’s not just a policy most places, but wearing a shirt and shoes is just the right thing to do when eating out. (side note, my boys are not permitted to be bare chested at our dinning table either).

2. In / Out. Don’t forget to let people out before entering. It just makes things easier and makes sense. And while you’re at it, open the door for the person exiting and step out of the way so they can actually depart. For more examples, see this blog post.

3. Follow the lead of the host. As our MANNERS CLASS goes over, there is etiquette along the lines of where people sit, who orders first, deferring to requests and the like. For instance, while not mandatory, the intention was to enjoy Lobsters. By no means did we have to order Lobster, but consider it. Our host was excited to bring us there because she had previously enjoyed this meal - with the potatoes, not rice.

Just a few tips and a lot more to come… Enjoy dinner out and keep your feet on the ground :-)

Cards, yes card manners...

My kids are incredibly well skilled at playing cards. It’s something we do. A lot. Especially with my husband’s family, who loves to have a nice dinner and then we sit around the table and deal the cards out. Which brings me to this post….

(sidenote, I don’t mean this as a brag. we didn’t realize they were skilled at cards until we played with some friends with kids who didn’t know how to hold the cards. Eye opener!)

This past weekend (Happy belated 4th of July 🍉 everyone), we were at our favorite place and - once again - the tables turned and the cards were dealt. And, since I’ve been a bit more rigid with my kids’ manners as of late, I realized that Modern Manners matter in card games as well. So, here are a few tips I tried getting across to my kids. I’d love for you to comment and share more too!

1. Dealer deals to the left. This is just. simple. card. etiquette.

2. Don’t look yes. Wait. Be patient. Let the dealer do his/ her job without distraction.

3. Yes, do point out when a card slips into another’s pile. But really, you shouldn’t touch the card unless it’s yours. (use your words, not your hands)

4. Only touch cards that are yours.

5. Don’t TOUCH until the deal is dealt.

6. Games can sometimes get rowdy. Ok, but don’t forget your MODERN MANNERS.