A Night Out

Hello there friends & readers,

As the fall weather is upon us & the days grow shorter, this is the time of year that we start going out to more INDOOR events.  In the past we have covered Going to the Movies & Clubbing, but there are plenty more venues for an evening out of the house, & they all have some different rules.  Here are some great tips for the various outings you might have:

THEATER, DANCE & CLASSICAL MUSIC:
Live performance is a great treat.  It can inspire your creative side and show you something new and different.

• How to Dress: I know that thanks to Mark Zuckerberg we all think Jeans & Hoodies are OK where ever we go, but please my fellow Millennials, can we make an effort when we go out? A nice part of shoes & a button down with those jeans go a long way to making you look like you are not being dragged to the theater by your mom.
• When to Arrive: This is a live show.  No matter how quiet you think you can be, you are bothering the audience & the performers when you try and sneak in.  The time of the show is on your tickets.  Aim to arrive 15 minutes early.
• What to Pack: If you think that you might have a cough attack, bring some water to sip, bring some lozenges but UNWRAP THEM PRE-SHOW (same goes for candy).
• Mobile Devices: Leave all phones in your pocket/jacket/purse on silent or off.  A vibrating phone next some keys or some change makes noise.  If you cannot stay away from your phone & messages for 2 hours, please look in to some of the wide array of smart watches out there these days, so you can check-in without having to light up the theater.
• Don't Forget: To clean up after yourself when you leave.  Drink containers, snack packages, programs, pick up all of it & put it in the recycling or take it home.

CONCERTS

Live Music is fun, grabbing a drink & rocking out to your favorite band? What could be better!

• How to Dress: Keep your shoes in mind if you are going to be standing all night.  Most concerts are standing room so ladies it might be good to leave the 4 inch heals at home.
• When to Arrive: Assuming you want to see the band, arrive on time.  Remember that most seats at these kind of events are first come first serve so if you want to get a good view, it might mean getting there really early.
• What to Pack: Try & avoid giant bags.  Space is always limited and coat check is expensive.  That said please remember to bring a coat if you are going out doors. Purses that are just over the shoulder & don't need to be HELD are very useful.
• Mobile Devices: Take pictures if you wish and feel free to Instagram them later but PLEASE keep the flash off.  As for leaving the ringer on...most of the time concerts are too loud to hear so just stick it on vibrate and put it in your back pocket.
• Don't Forget: To clean up after yourself when you leave (again).  Also depending on the venue size & location, getting home can be tough so plan again & be patient.

COMEDY SHOWS

We all need a laugh some times and going to see comedy is a great way to have some fun.

• How to Dress: These shows are usually casual.  So just relax & have fun.
• When to Arrive: Most shows are not assigned seats, so getting there early means you get the best choice of seats.  Also gives you a chance to catch up with friends because you don't want to be talking during the show.
• What to Pack: Most shows have a certain drink minimum, so bring your ID & maybe some cash to tip the server.
• Mobile Devices: Turn em off!!! If your phone goes off there is a good chance the performer is going to try & take it (the venues are usually more intimate) or at least call you out on it.
• Don't Forget: They can see you & call you out (unlike a play).  Sitting in the front if you are a talker might not be the best idea.

That's all for now friends. Please keep checking back for more etiquette tips & questions answered & feel free to write in with any questions!

XOXO

Your Amie Polie (That's Polite Friend in French-Talk)

Reading Recommendations

Hello there friends & readers,

We are going to start a new segment today: Reading Recommendations.  Just some great etiquette references for you to add to your home library.

TIFFANY'S TABLE MANNERS FOR TEENAGERS

This was the book that started it all for Your Polite Friend.  She was gifted it at the age of 13 and rereads it every year or so.  The book is simple, straight forward and too the point.  Illustrated to show the difference between a fish knife and meet knife, and the right way to hold them, this book is a quick and easy way for ANYONE at ANY AGE to learn the dos and don'ts of casual and fine dining.  From what to do when a conversation "turns" to how you CAN speak with food in your mouth, the books pack a great amount of information in to a small package.

Recommended for everyone, but a particularly great gift for the next generation, these tips are timeless, fabulous and useful for everyone.  Who knows, by gifting it, you might launch the next generation of etiquette bloggers.

That's all for now friends. Please keep checking back for more etiquette tips & questions answered & feel free to write in with any questions!

XOXO

Your Amie Polie (That's Polite Friend in French-Talk)

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Hello there friends & readers,

It is October First! And for anyone in retail that means THE HOLIDAYS ARE AROUND THE CORNER!!! Which means food, family, and relatives or friends crashing on your sofa.  Lots of people in a small space can lead to tensions, so here are some notes for the hosts and hostess out there, as well as any guests.

Hosts & Hostesses:

Check with your Roommates: Seems like a no brain-er but sometimes in our excitement to see our old friends we might agree to let them stay before we check in with the other members of our household.  Maybe your Significant Other prefers to hang out in his bathrobe in the mornings and doesn't want your Mom on the couch.  Maybe your roommates prefer keeping the number of strangers they share a bathroom with to a minimum.  Either way nothing feels worse than having to go back to your guests & let them know the invitation is rescinded.  

Be Aware of Your Space: Do you really have the space to fit a guest?  Would it mean they are sleeping on the floor? Do you have pets?  Will other people be staying there? These are all things your house guest should know before they come stay with you.  No one likes arriving & expecting the guest room, only to find out they are on the pull out couch.  Just keep the lines of communication open.

Stock Up: You will have another person in the house: do you have enough toilet paper? paper towels? Coffee? Milk? Towels? A quick check a few days before can make a big difference on the essentials. If there is something you don't have enough of (towels for example), let your guests know it is BYO.  Also, it is VERY helpful to have another set of keys made for them so your guest can come & go as they please.

Talk Schedules: Is your guest in town for an event? Do they have other friends in the area they want to see? Are they traveling for work? Get an idea of how they want to spend their time.  Midnight Margaritas might not be so appealing to someone who has a breakfast meeting the next day.  

Be Honest About Your Schedule: How much time you will have with your guests? How willing you are to play tour guide?   Sometimes a guide book & recommendations for the area are all someone needs, other times they want as much time as possible with you.  If you are not up for it on weeknights, make they very clear when you are discussing the plans.  If the holidays are a stressful times because you are going to be cooking 24/7 and still need to do some shopping, it might not be a great idea to have guests who are not independent.


Guests:

Give Plenty of Notice: No matter how many times someone says "You are always welcome", you must give your host a heads up before you arrive.  A week is the minimum amount of time to give your host so they can properly check their calendars, stock up, & clean up.  If it is the holiday crunch time make it 2 weeks.

Bring a Gift: This person is saving you quite a bit in hotel fees & probably feeding you as well, the least you can do is give them a little present to let them know you appreciate them.  A nice bottle of wine, some chocolates or other desserts are always nice.  If you are stay for more than a few days, offer to take them out to dinner as well.  Don't forget that they will have a higher water, grocery & probably electric bill after your stay.

Offer to Help:  Most of the time your host will tell you to sit down and relax, but you should keep offering to give them a hand.  Clearing the table, doing the dishes, & other small items like that are a big help.  If your stay is more than a few days, offer to make dinner for them one night.

Pick Up After Yourself: If you are staying in a guest room, you can be a little more relaxed, but if you are in the living room, please keep your dirty clothes in your bag, & your shoes off the furniture.  When it is time to leave, strip the bed and bring the bedding to the laundry hamper.

Don't over stay your welcome: Have a very clear departure date when you set up the stay.  Be honest about how much you'll expect from your hosts in terms of chauffeuring, tour guiding, & the hours you like to keep.  If you are coming to the area ever month, try and rotate who you stay with so as not to annoy your friends.  

That's all for now friends. Please keep checking back for more etiquette tips & questions answered & feel free to write in with any questions!

XOXO

Your Amie Polie (That's Polite Friend in French-Talk)