Etiquette Quirk (cell phone, commercial, beautiful, city)

[Michelle1210]

I once read somewhere......or perhaps I heard it from T.V
But during the 1860's a gentleman was taught that if his lady friend "fluffed" that he was to take the blame

[Michelle1210]

I was raised with strict manners......when I met my husband I was invited for dinner, his dad was a heart surgeon and his mother a ceo of a toys co. and I thought wow people of fluence, they were ex-hippies and they had the worst manners......here we are sitting at a nice dinner table and his mom is still setting it and his dad and my soon to be husband started eating, and they both ask me what I was waitng for...dig in they both say, but I was taught to wait till everyone sat down at the table, or wait to see if a blessing was offered, and wait for the signal from the hostess to begin....I was absolutly horrified.....

[RedSoxFanGoingWest]

Originally Posted by mrstewart

If we are talking about inlaws being rude, we may be able to have a contest. I hosted Thanksgiving this past year and my sister in law has raised 2 children that are strict chicken fingers/ french fries/ pizza conniseurs. Well, 3 days before Thanksgiving, my sister inlaw called to ask what we were having for dinner. When I told her she said " Hmm, we won't eat that, so I'll just bring a frozen pie and nacho dip (in a jar!) for an appetizer."

Needless to say, I proceeded to make meal that would cater to a more sophisticated palate.
I guess I should have prefaced this post with the fact that my children eat what is put on their plate or they are hungry.
Nothing says 'let's give thanks' like some nacho cheese dip in a jar!

Oh, I've got you beat. My sister-in-law, husband, 3 kids and dog came for T-giving from out of state and stayed for several days. The husband went out every morning for Starbucks and never offered to buy for anyone else. My wife and I took their dog for a walk every morning and afternoon and they never once said thank you; oh and they didn't bring a leash with them! What else, never lifted a finger to clear their plates after any of the meals we provided, including Thanksgiving dinner. Never said thank you, never complimented my wife on her cooking - which was wonderful - never picked up a single one of their kids toys or disciplined them in any way; even when their child through a WII controller (which they brought and connected to our TV to keep their kids busy even though there were 6 adults in the house!) that nearly damaged our LCD TV!

Then, we go to our in-laws in the Mountains over the weekend. Their daughter became very ill with a fever, cough, etc. They had to take her to the emergency room. When they got home they put her down for a nap, got dressed for an afternoon on the town and assumed that my wife and I would baby-sit for their 6 yr old son, 4 month old daughter and their sick daughter that was napping. The horror when we said no!! we would've obliged if they knew how to show some appreciation and didn't assume that the world should cater to them...

phew...sorry to rant!! (Oh, and Christmas was even worse!!)

[tulegirl]

I was actually in "charm" classes in high school. We were taught social & table manners so we would be at ease in any public setting.

It makes me insane observing people who have no couth. The worst part is that they do not care.

My son is being raised to be a gentleman in every way. I can only hope that he teaches his children also.

[mrstewart]

OK I was afraid I would sound like a ninny but cotillion is still huge here in Richmond and all of my kids who are old enough have gone! The boys say they hate it but I have to wonder.
Also, my 2 older boys went to etiquette school when they were 6 and almost 4. My younger son was asked not to come back because he was such a handful. He never gave me any problems and I really mean that. He is my most well behaved child but he LOVES to tell his buddies that he got the boot from etiquette school. It gives him "street credit" I guess.
Having kids is a humbling experience!
Good for you for teaching your little guy to be a gentleman.

Another pet peeve...when parents are in public and ask theirlittle one's who are potty training if they need to go poo poo or pee pee. Just take him/her into the restroom and leave the rest to our imagination!!

[LaceyEx]

It would irk me so when we would for a family gathering go to a nice restaurant and there would be my 2 children sitting politely, eating properly and my two nieces running around. Once it got so bad that I firmly grabbed them, pulled them close and told them to go sit in their chairs and not to move again. I wasn't too popular w/my sister that day.

I am so proud of the two beautiful adults I've raised and our grandchildren are being raised with beautiful manners by my wonderful daughter.

The one Rance brought up about nose blowing is one of my biggest!!!!!

[2mares]

I wonder if some of the food shoveling could stem from being in the military, prison or a life style where one has not had the luxury of leisurely meals.

[LaceyEx]

My husband was military for 22 years and in all the times I had dinner on his ship they all ate beautifully.

My DH's biggest peeve is when we go out to eat and if he's finished before me the waitperson comes to take his plate-he always tells them-"please my wife is still eating."

[2mares]

My husband was military for 22 years and in all the times I had dinner on his ship they all ate beautifully.

Didnt mean any disrespect. I know sometimes soldiers may have about 4 seconds to eat their meals.

[LaceyEx]

No not taken that way at all!!!!! I would imagine in the field-manners shouldn't count.