Happy Easter!

Teaching Children Political Civility Is Like Teaching Good Sportsmanship

Today Americans are casting their votes for the next president as well as other political offices. Many of us have strong political views. It is how we express these that is of importance to our children. Teaching children civility in politics is like teaching them good sportsmanship.

• In politics as in sports, competition results in winners and losers. It is true that how you play the game and how you respond whether you win or lose really does matter - integrity, honor, and respect are important and demonstrate the level of ones character.  
   
• In politics as in sports, players and supporters often put their hearts into the game. If your candidate wins, don't rub it in to the losing candidate/team. Be sincere and thank the losing candidate/team for their participation in the process.   
   
• Remember what goes around comes around. There are term limits and your candidate and/or party may hit the homerun after the next election. I grew up hearing, "Everything is only temporary." No matter your political affiliation, in the U.S., this is true.   
   
• If your candidate/party loses, avoid showing anger and storming around the home. As a parent, you are the role model in how to civilly accept defeat. We all have a right to our opinions, though it is important to consider the impact of your response on your children's perception of good (poor) sportsmanship.  
   
• We often teach children that name-calling is rude and unkind. Yet, so many adults seem to forget this when it comes to sports and politics. For example, in politics, some people refer to Romney as Vom-Mitt, and to Obama as O-Bummer. (You likely have heard more such uncivil terms.) Avoid using such terms to describe the presidential candidates, especially around your children. Practice what you preach!   
   
• If your party or candidate isn't successful in this election, don't make excuses or blame others in your political camp, outside your political camp, or the media.

Some additionaltips for parents in teaching political civility:

• Are you connected with your children on Facebook? Be sure to remain civil in your political posts. Set a good example for your children.  
   
• Create an environment at home where your children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. Ask your children for their opinions of the election and candidates. Discuss. Don't devalue. Rather explore. Rather than saying, "That isn't true!" or "You're wrong!," or "That is stupid!," you could say, "tell me more about your thoughts."   
   
• Create an environment at home where your children feel comfortable asking questions. To do this, you must be open to hearing questions and responding civilly and with an open mind about the "other side" or "that party."  
   
• Spend time together watching the election outcomes, the political commentaries, and let them ask questions about the process. Ask your children how they might have done things differently if they were the candidates. Share with them how to respond to negative opinions and comments. Discuss with your children that there is a difference between debating and being uncivil.   
   
• Be accepting if your child doesn't want to share who they would be voting for if they had the opportunity to vote. Our U.S. voting system is devised to keep privacy of votes (note the curtains, walls, and voting "booths").  
   
• Demonstrate respect by not talking negatively about friends, family, or coworkers who have a different political viewpoint than you have. While you may be wondering in your mind about the choices these individuals are making, "what in the world are they thinking!," this needn't be shared with or around your children. 

Parents are critical role models for their children. How you do and don't respond to politics and the election has a huge impact on your children. A civil or uncivil impact is up to you!

 

"Holiday Etiquette Essentials" Class, December 15, 2012, Tampa Bay

(source: Hirshfields.wordpress.com
of Bachman's Idea House)

* Can you email holiday invitations and greetings instead of mailing cards?

* Must you really attend your workplace holiday party?

* Can you use red wine glasses with white wine?

* Must you show guests your bedroom if they ask for a tour?

* How do you tactfully handle conflicting invitations?
* What should you do when you see a guest double dip?

* How can you let guests know not to bring gifts?

* Is it OK to re-gift?

* Do you always have to provide gifts for your children's teachers? If so, what?

* Do you always have to bring a gift when invited to a holiday party? If so, what?

* Is it appropriate to ask my guests to remove their shoes?

* How much do you tip your stylist, newspaper carrier, babysitter at the holiday season?

* The party is for adults only. How do you handle your friend that wants to bring her children?

 

Learn the answers to these questions and more! We'll cover:

 

                Hospitable Hosting * Being a Gracious Guest

           * Uninvited Guests * RSVP's * Out of Town Guests

           * Gift Giving & Receiving * Taboo & Tasteful Topics

              of Conversation * Invitations * Holiday Greetings

        * Dining Etiquette  * Handling Embarrassing Situations

Saturday, December 15, 2012, 7p-9p, Palm Harbor, $74, appetizers included,  REGISTRATION

For more information, contact: info@civilitycentre.com
or call (813) 579-7087.

Holiday Manners: Social and Dining Etiquette Class for Children and Teens (ages 9-15), December 15, 2012, Tampa Bay

Does your child remember to shake hands and introduce him/herself when meeting people? Does your child understand what defines appropriate attire for holiday events? Does your child understand how to use the placeware at a formal meal? Does your child understand how to appropriately maneuver the buffet table? Does your child know when is it OK to put elbows on the table? Is your child a good host and guest? Is your child savvy about mobile manners while at holiday events? Does your child remember to send thank you notes for gifts? Provide your child with holiday manners skills that will benefit them though the holidays and beyond. In this highly interactive age appropriate course, your child will learn skills that will help them to be successful and build their self-esteem, character, confidence, and social skills. Your child will cover a multitude of areas:   Why Manners Are Important * Introductions, Greetings, Proper Handshakes * Etiquette When Visiting Family * Gift Giving and Receiving * Respectful Conversations * Appropriate Holiday Attire * Being a Polite Host and Guest * Polite Party Behavior &Tech Manners * Holiday Dining Etiquette * Importance of Thank You Notes
Saturday, December 15, 2012, 9ap-1p, Palm Harbor, $119, lunch included, REGISTRATION For more information, contact: info@civilitycentre.com or call (813) 579-7087.

September Birthstone and Flower

September's flower of the month is the Aster,
symbolizing Love, Faith, Light, and Wisdom.



 






September's birthstone is the Sapphire. The sapphire comes in many colors and symbolizes truth, sincerity, faithfulness, and loyalty. While Sapphires are the stone for September, the Star Sapphire is especially considered September's birthstone.

 

Top 5 Restaurant Etiquette Tips for Staff and Owners

While dining out the other day, a staff member of the restaurant came by our table with a carpet sweeper as she made her way around the restaurant during a busy lunch hour. It was rather unappetizing to have the floor serviced while dining.

While dining out, I've noticed other faux pas that can ruin the dining experience for guests. Here are the Top 5 Restaurant Etiquette Tips for Staff and Owners that will improve your guests' dining experience:

• Avoid sweeping the carpet while guests are present, especially while they are dining.
• Avoid clearing plates until all guests at the table have finished. It is inappropriate for guests to have to say, "please wait until everyone is finished" as it makes all guests at the table uncomfortable, feel rushed, and makes the staff person look inept.
• Avoid placing a soiled napkin back on the table when a guest excuses him/herself momentarily. Some restaurants find that folding the napkin that has been placed on the chair and placing it back on the table to be a "nice thing to do" and "classy." However, as the napkin has been off the table and in ones lap, it should not be placed back on the table while food is present. Rather, simply remove the soiled napkin and bring a clean napkin for the diner.
• Place both a salad knife and fork, and a main entree knife and fork for each diner. Many restaurants only provide one knife with two forks and put staff in the awkward position of saying to "keep your knife," and the diners in the uncomfortable position of using a knife (now soiled) meant for the salad with their main entree.
• At a brunch buffet, avoid asking diners to use their soiled silverware with their second or more passes through the brunch buffet line. Diners know not to place their soiled silverware on the table linens, yet staff often ask them to keep their silverware leaving diners looking around the table for a place with which to set the soiled silverware. Simply remove the soiled silverware when removing the used plates, and bring fresh silverware for the diners for each of their trips to the buffet.

These tips will ensure that your guests experience a much more pleasant dining experience, and ensure that your staff aren't placed in these awkward and avoidable situations.

  

Name Badge Etiquette: Right Side

I was reading the Variety section of the Sunday paper this morning. There is a section titled "Face Time" which showcases scenes from events around the metro area.

 In reviewing the pictures of a recent event, I noticed that the majority of individuals had their name badges placed on the wrong (left) side. Of those where the name badges were visible, 11 out of 16 (almost 70%) had it placed incorrectly.

Name badges are placed on the Right side. As we shake hands with our right hand, our eyes naturally gravitate to the right shoulder. Avoid making the other person search for your name tag by placing it on your right shoulder. This small nuance can help in building the comfort level of both you and the individual you are meeting.

And by all means, never place the name badge in the center or on a hip pocket which causes the other person to look to your nether regions for your name. Oh my!