MYMM: Concerts

It's me longing for summer again. Concerts. Probably because so much new information has been released for summer concerts here, and the fact that a lot has been here lately. Here are a few tips to mind your manners.

1. Try to respect others' space. We know it's a tall order, and it's impossible in some respects. That girl wants to see Taylor Swift as much as you do, so don't use force!

2. Do not block people's views. I had one of my worst concert experiences ever when the man (grown man) in front of me would not get off of his chair and was blocking everyone's view. He basically said no way and kept standing up there. (bizarre much?) Same goes with posters. As darling as they might be, they can really get in the way!

3. Be careful with any food/drink that you have. Try not to spill or kick anything over. Everyone around you will be bummed out.

4. Please, keep attire appropriate.

5. Thank everyone who works at the venue.

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Buffet

We all go out to eat. Sometimes they are buffets, whether it's with your family at Easter brunch, or simply in the dorm dining halls. Here are a few guidelines to remember.

1. Do not use your fingers for anything. Always use tongs/serving spoons. It makes me cringe when I see someone pick up a roll with their hands.

2. Only take what you can eat. I always overeat at buffets, but it helps a lot to just take less to begin with so you're not stuffed and no food goes to waste.

3. Move efficiently in the line, especially if it's crowded.

4. Don't bring a used plate up to the line again.

5. Thank everyone, as we always say!

Keep minding your manners!

Love,

A+C

MYMM:College Facebook Groups

If you're a senior like me, or you graduated in a previous year, chances are you've been in a _____ University Class of 20__ Facebook group. People are annoying. Here are a few tips to make sure you're not "facebook famous" the first day of class.

1. Limit your posting. I know, you have 9 million questions, just ask someone specific. Don't post: "what are the meal plans?" or "how much does living in __ dorm cost?" Chances are, fellow freshmen are wondering the same thing.

2. Only introduce yourself one time, if at all. It's great to introduce yourself, but only do it once. Or not at all. I swear this one guy has introduced himself 5+ times!

3. Don't friend everyone in the group. Yes, a girl literally has done that.

4. Don't post anything too personal. i.e not the best place to ask what to get your boyfriend for his birthday.

5. Be nice to everyone, don't bash other schools, Greek organizations, sports teams, other campus activities. It reflects poorly on you!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: College Tours [guest post!]

Rebecca has agreed to enlighten us today on her college tour tips! We are so grateful for her post, and adore her blog! Everyone should check out her blog and follow! xoxo, A+C

Hey y’all!  My name is Rebecca, and I blog over at life with rMe.  I was so glad with A & C agreed to let me guest post today!  As a tour guide with the admissions office at my college, I give a lot of tours and interact with a lot of prospective students.  As juniors begin to look at colleges and seniors finish up any last minute visits, I thought it would be useful to do a Mind Your Manners Monday regarding admissions tours and visits!

Ask Questions

Besides using questions as a way to show interest in your tour, if you don’t ask any questions, it forces me to talk at you for an hour and a half.  You don’t know how frustrating the tours are for me when the family doesn’t talk or ask any questions.  As prepared as tour guides are, they only have so many interesting stories and jokes to tell!

Don’t trash talk other schools

Even if you are talking about our rival schools, it’s not nice to talk badly about other schools!  It makes me wonder what you would say about my school to a tour guide at another school.  I’m a tour guide because I love my college, and I would hate for you to talk badly about it with a tour guide at Rival University.

Tell your tour guide at the beginning if there is something specific you want to see

As amazing as your tour guide may be, she can’t read your mind!  Also, most campus tours will not include EVERY building on campus.  So if you want to see the riding facilities or the art studios, make sure your tour guide knows!  She may not be able to take you on the tour, but she will probably be able to arrange something that you can see them!  I know for me, our art barn isn’t on the main part of campus, but I’m always willing to give the family a map with the route to the art barn highlighted so they can drive up after their tour!

Come to your tour having done some research on that college

You wouldn’t believe how many people come into an admissions tour not knowing the first thing about my college!  I understand that you might get colleges confused, but when you bring up your major and it’s not even a program we offer…

I hope y’all have some great campus tours, and be sure to thank your tour guide at the end!  Even though it is my job and I do get paid to give the tours, it is something I truly enjoy.  I’m always looking for ways to make my tours better, and sometimes that comes in the form of advice from the prospective family.  But even if you didn’t enjoy your tour, thank your guide!  (PS, how many of y’all want to hear my ghost stories while we’re on tours?  Over the summer I researched ghost stories on my campus to tell during the tour, but I’m always scared the family will be freaked out and never return to my school!)

xoxo,

Rebecca

MYMM: Funeral Visitations

We hate to start off with something so morbid and sad, but I've actually been to three wakes in the last three weeks, and I have definitely started to notice some things. Here are a few tips.

1. Dress appropriately. No, it's not necessary to wear head to toe black, but it is important to be in darker colors. (mentioning because I saw a lady in a pink, blue, green, and orange floral dress with a white base at a wake one time.)

2. Act appropriately. It may be your best friend that you're normally gregarious with, but now is the time where that is inappropriate. Tone it down if that is something you struggle with. We have no idea how loud we are being sometimes.

3. Offer to help. Chances are, they may not need help or want anything, but the sentiment means enough itself.

4. Make sure to speak with others who are suffering the loss than the one person you are there for. It may seem awkward, but if you know at all anyone else or know someone is say, your friends father, express the sentiments.

5. Follow up with a sympathy card. Make sure to include that the visitation/funeral was lovely, and that you're glad you got to see whoever you were there for. Again, offer to help with anything, unless you already have.

Things to say: (because we know this can be awkward.)

-I'm sorry for your loss.

-I am here for you if you need anything, even just to talk.

-I'm glad to see you, though not under the circumstances (if it's someone you haven't seen in a while.)

-Is there anything you or your family need?

-I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

-If you knew the person: Mrs. Jensen was so lovely, I enjoyed when she picked us up from grade school, she always made the best cookies. (express something positive, especially if the person suffered from a prolonged illness.

-If you did not know the person: I am sure Mr. Hoffmann was a great person, you always spoke highly of him (name something you can remember if you remember anything.)

-The best thing to say if you don't know what to say is: I am sorry for your loss.

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Doctors' Offices

It's time for your checkup...or maybe you're like me and live at the doctor's office. Either way, here are a few etiquette tips from a pro.

1. Arrive on time. The office's time is valuable too!

2. Don't complain about a wait. My personal record is six hours.

3. Be courteous to everyone in the office. Getting in on their good side can also help you get appointments in a pinch.

4. Cover your cough etc. No one else wants the same illness!

5. Stand up when the doctor comes in the room. Good handshake and eye contact are implied.

5. Always use proper titles.

6. Thank everyone. Seriously they have a very difficult job.

Keep minding those manners!
A+C

MYMM: Movie Theaters

With the recent Golden Globe Awards, many of us are headed to see the latest and greatest films. We just need to make sure our manners are as great as those films!

1. Arrive promptly. No one likes when people block their view at the beginning of the movie (or the previews!) If you run late, try to go toward the back and avoid others.

2. Eat silently. Ugh the chomping is gross and distracting, enough said.

3. Clean up. The mess of popcorn or wrappers is unfortunate to the maintenance staff and probably frustrating.

4. Don't talk or text during the film!

5. Don't spread out too much in a crowded theater.

6. Thank everyone!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Exercise Classes

Maybe it's because I've recently taken up barre classes (A has been for awhile!) that has caused me to notice some people's awful manners. We have some recommendations on what to avoid in this week's MYMM.

1. Respect personal space. If you can avoid it, don't get too close to others, unless it's a full class, then we all get it!

2. Avoid chatting during class or making unnecessary noise. This one woman the other day would not stop talking to the instructor while she was teaching, and it drove me crazy! We need to focus.

3. Don't complain about the difficulty of an exercise. That's what you're in the class for, to work hard!

4. Wipe off any equipment that is not your own.

5. Say thanks to the instructors and front desk staff.

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Gyms

Whether you have been a workout junkie for years, or working out was your New Years Resolution, many of us encounter the gym frequently. Gym etiquette is necessary (and sanitary frankly.) So here are our tips.

1. Wipe off everything you use. It doesn't matter if you were sweating or not. No one wants to sit on a sticky bike or grab weights that are still warm.

2. Limit your time on cardio equipment at peak hours. The rush hour(s) at the gym are typically 4-7 (at least at my gym.) During those hours, they have a 30 minute maximum on cardio equipment. It's good to give others a chance and keep things moving.

3. Dress appropriately. Make sure your covering places that should be covered, that your pants aren't too low etc. No one wants to see that, especially considering the variety of people at gyms.

4. Keep a distance if you're waiting for something. Others don't want to be watched or feel pressure.

5. Thank those who work at the gym, and those who used the treadmill etc before you. 

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: The Basics

With the New Year comes New Years Resolutions. Although we prefer calling them goals. It's always good to remind yourself on a few basics that most of us learned as quickly as we learned to walk. (I also took 4 years of etiquette classes at my club, so these are always the points that were drilled into my 6-10 year old head.)

1. Always make eye contact. Make eye contact with the Starbucks Barista. Make eye contact with your professor. Make eye contact with friends and family. Make eye contact with the Target checkout lady. It's SO important and forgotten by much of the younger part of society. If you don't make eye contact, people will think you're not listening or you don't care, especially elders.

2. Stand up straight. It's good for your back. It makes you look self confident. It makes you look taller and thinner (an added bonus!)

3. Master the handshake. A future MYMM installment will feature this art.

4. Sit with your legs crossed. Either at the ankle or over one another. No one likes to see you sitting like you would be on your couch while you're in class!

5. Remember your please and thank you. I swear that people are genuinely surprised when I say thank you at some places. Like they are taken aback. That should not be the case. [Funny story: At the tender age of four, my mom told me if I didn't say thank you within 10 seconds of receiving something, she would take it away. Yup, that happened at an ice cream shop. I watched everyone else eat ice cream, and I haven't forgotten that since.]

What are some MYMM basics we've omitted? Let us know! 

xoxo,

A+C

New Years Eve

Happy New Years Eve!!

via

Hope you all are celebrating, and have a great night. Of course, be safe and responsible! 

See you in 2013 :)

love,

A+C

MYMM: Holiday Parties

By now, you've probably been to many holiday parties. You probably have many more to come. Here are a few basic etiquette tips to ensure you'll be invited back!

1. Don't come empty handed. Bring an appetizer or dessert if asked. It's also nice to bring a little hostess gift, like a candle or Christmas ornament.

2. Follow the times set on the invitation. If it's a 7-10 party, you better leave by 10. It's inconsiderate to overstay, especially if the hostess has children or if it is during the work week.

3. Help the hostess out. A simple hey Anna, can I do anything is so thoughtful and the simple  could you bring out a tray of appetizers? could help her out a lot.

4. Be mindful of what you say. Especially with the election year, it's important not to step on anyone's toes!

5. Follow up with a thank you note!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Testing 1, 2, 3

Testing. You're probably in the middle of or about to be taking exams. We think (and know) that there are a few basic rules to follow.  No one wants to be the irritating person sitting in front of you.

1. Don't talk about how much or how little you studied. We all have that friend who says she "studied 20 minutes" for an APUSH exam and gets a 4. We have that friend who says "I studied 9 hours and I don't feel prepared." Yup. It's annoying and can lead to excessive stress.

2. Do not smack gum, tap your feet, or click your pen. Oh my gosh talk about an easy and annoying distraction. Sophomore year, I was sitting next to a girl who tapped her feet during the whole 90 minute European History exam. If you have a chronic habit, cross your legs, don't chew gum, or don't use a clicking pen. Your fellow test takers will thank you.

3. Be prompt. Yes, someone is bound to walk in 5 minutes late to an exam with Starbucks in hand. #whitegirlproblem. Don't let that be you. Try to arrive 5-10 minutes early. (or 15 if you're neurotic about where you sit.)

4. Don't ask people what they got for a certain question. It's so easy to do. You thought about 21 the whole time and couldn't decide between b or c. Chances are, the other person won't remember. Or you'll disagree and stress yourself out saying you "failed"

5. That being, don't say you aced/failed the exam. Yikes, talk about bad karma. Just say: I didn't think it was too challenging or it was much harder than I expected!

6. Thank your professor and proctors!

Let us know if we missed anything!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is this week. The official start of the holiday season. As much as we love the holidays, there are always a few rules to follow, especially on Thanksgiving!

1. Try everything. If your aunt Dianne makes her "new sweet potato casserole" that she is so obsessed with, try it, even if you don't like sweet potatoes. It will brighten the cook's day!

2. Do the dishes. The younger members of the family always help with the dishes. It's really sweet and appropriate to to offer to help out, your grandparents will be impressed!

3. Engage in conversations. I know you're so sick of being asked what you want to major in or if you have a boyfriend, but it's the way your family shows interest in your life. It's time to suck it up.

4. Talk to those who you don't see. I know you never see great aunt Beth, and you might care to socialize with your cousins, but go out of your way a few times to chat it up with her. She will appreciate more than you know.

5. Express thanks. To everyone. The hosts, your parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents! That's the meaning of the holiday!!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Politics

Religion and Politics: Two things we aren't supposed to talk about, but somehow are always talked about, especially now. Avoid being rude and obnoxious like others have been recently!

1. Don't ever tell anyone what they believe is wrong. There is no right or wrong way, it's what you believe. That's honestly one of the rudest comments anyone could make!

2. Take a chill pill on Twitter. Unless your twitter account is politically based always, there is no need to tweet 20 times per presidential debate, it's a good way to get unfollowed.

3. If you say something about your personal beliefs, be ready to back it up. That's all part of being an educated and well read young person. Don't say you like Romney/Obama/Any other candidate without being able to say why. People will ask.

4. Avoid pushing your beliefs hard on anyone, especially in class. It's a good way to drive everyone crazy. State your beliefs, but respect others' beliefs.

5. Please, don't let others do these things back to you!

Keep going, just a little bit longer and the election will be over!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Shopping

Like so many MYMM posts, this one is prompted by us observing a scene. Last weekend, I was at J.Crew checking out. A father was spending a significant amount of money (read: $1200.) on his teenage daughter. She wanted a peacoat in addition. Her father said no, he is already spending too much. This girl pitches a screaming fit. Yes, she is probably 15 or 16. And to make matters worse, she was wearing a tee shirt that had her high school name on it. If that is not awful behavior, I don't know what is.

1. Greet the salespeople even if they do not greet you. I mean they are probably distracted, but saying hi always makes someone's day a little brighter.

2. Do not leave clothes on the dressing room floor. Yup, we've all seen it: 5 pairs of jeans, 4 tops. a couple dresses, all on the floor. Picking up and hanging up everything is not their job, be polite! It's like leaving crumbs everywhere on a table at a restaurant.

3. Put things back where they came from. No, that polka dot blouse was not with the cardigans. Put it back, unless a salesperson takes it.

4. If you don't want help, say "I'm just browsing/looking." Don't lead them on! It's less stress for you, too.

5. Say thank you. Anyone who has been a reader this long knows every MYMM post includes this!

Most importantly, Be grateful for what you get! We know none of you will pitch fits!

xoxo,

A+C

MYMM: Blogging

We had a tumblr request from the fabulous Emily to write a post on Blogging Etiquette/Ethics. Here are our tips!
1. Don't copycat names and posts. End of story.
2. Don't comment obsessively and expect comments back. Bloggers don't all have time to do that!
4. If you participate in blog features, link back to the creator. (Hey It's Ok Thursday etc.) I see that a lot and it makes me feel bad.
5. Don't claim series/graphics as your own. If you mess up with that, add in appropriate links when you use photos.
6. Remember: Everyone sees Blogger. That is more likely to show up in a google search than a tumblr page. Make sure you represent yourself in an appropriate matter, on blogger. Tumblr is a little bit more free, especially if you make yourself anonymous, as both of us have chosen to do.

What did we leave out? Let us know!
Love,
A+C

MYMM: Awkward Questions

Did you get a scholarship? What was your SAT score? Do you have a job/internship yet? Is that what you really wanted to do?

AH. Every single one of us is being asked a form of the dreaded personal/awkward question. Somehow, these have become acceptable questions to ask. all. the. time. Here are our tips for handling these questions gracefully.

1. Be vague. What was your ACT score? Oh, I was pretty happy with it! I worked really hard. If you're comfortable saying you got in the upper twenties, go for it. But don't feel obligated.
2. Say you're happy/excited. Even if you wanted to go to a school, but got rejected, don't feel like you have to say. If you act happy about it, you prevent potential negativity.
3. Change the topic. Nosy Mrs. Nicholas won't stop asking you about your job, change the subject-ask her about her children, the weather, her summer vacation...people should get the memo that you don't want to share details.
4. Worst case scenario: Simply say you would rather not talk about it. It's perfectly ok not to give into the pressure.

Remember, you can handle awkward questions!
xoxo,
A+C

MYMM: Froyo/Ice Cream Shops

I bet you're wondering why there is a post on manners at an ice cream store...Yes it's totally odd. But, I (C) was at a local frozen yogurt place last week and was appalled at people's behavior.

1. Don't sample dozens of flavors. If you're curious about the new raspberry orange gelato, try a sample! But, if you're the one sampling chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, other customers will get annoyed and you'll hold up the line.
2. Be ready to order if it's crowded. If you're amongst dozens of other people at Maggie Moos, it can be annoying to others if you're contemplating between cookie dough or oreo ice cream with a line out the door! (same goes at Froyo places! move as quick as possible!)
3. Don't take up extra chairs. Seating is prime on a hot summer night!
4. Clean up all cones/spoons/napkins/bowls. Obviously.
5. Smile and say thank you! No surprise we end on this note!

xoxo,
A+C

MYMM: Country Clubs

We all love going to our own clubs or visiting them with family in friends. For those of us who don't frequent clubs, there are a few important rules to follow.

1. Dress. Most clubs have a no denim policy (mine is very strict). Find out about other clubs before you visit. Make sure that things are appropriate length and not too tight.
2. Cell Phones. My (C) club is very strict on this as well. Make sure you know the rules before you take out your phone to answer your boyfriend's text!
3. Be polite to the employees. Just because you're at country club doesn't mean you're entitled to treat the employees poorly. If anything, it makes you look worse. Think about everything that they put up with-no need to add onto it,
4. Smile at everyone. No need to speak to anyone, but at least smile so you don't come off stuck up! (if it's your club, your parents will love to hear other members how sweet their daughter is!)
5. Don't leave things a mess. In the locker rooms and at the table, clean up. You wouldn't leave hand towels in your friends bathroom, would you?)

Enjoy visiting your club/others, but mind those manners! (from someone who has been on both ends, it means a lot to employees!)
Love,
A+C