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domenici
Thelma Domenici
Party etiquette: Whom to invite, when to not attend
Dear Thelma: Every year our family hosts a holiday open house. I serve on several boards and also belong to a reading group. I have developed friendships with some of my fellow members, but not everyone. I feel compelled to invite everyone if I invite anyone. I do not want to be rude by not inviting everyone, but if I do the party becomes too large to manage. How do I best handle this awkward situation? (Sunday, November 15, 2009)
Ten ways to keep holiday spirit alive all season
Dear Readers: As the holidays approach, I encourage you to get caught up in the true spirit of the season. This time of year gives us the opportunity to think about thankfulness and the value of the people in our lives. It's a chance to turn our sights outward to what we can do to honor others — those closest to us and those in need. (Sunday, November 08, 2009)
Manners go a long way in stopping spread of illness
Dear Thelma: There has been so much made in the media about the seriousness of the H1N1 flu and how to avoid its spread. With that in mind, I am shocked when I enter businesses and see salespeople, waiters and other service providers coughing away or complaining about how ill they are. Isn't staying home the safe and polite thing to do when you're sick? (Sunday, November 01, 2009)
Don't let your Halloween manners turn ghoulish
Dear Thelma: My kids love to go trick-or-treating, but I do not like the rudeness we run into while we're out. Shouldn't people at least try to control their children and themselves on Halloween? What's the etiquette here? (Sunday, October 25, 2009)
Address teacher problem with courtesy, respect
Dear Thelma: Parent-teacher conferences at my son's elementary school are coming up soon. I do have some concerns, but I'm not sure they're appropriate to bring up because they revolve around the teacher's attitude. She is what I would call a bully. Her methods of instruction and discipline involve humiliating kids. Parents have complained to the administration before, but nothing changes. I worry about the example she sets for the class about how to treat one another. Do I go in swinging or lay low? (Sunday, October 11, 2009)
Conversation is two-way street, so share road
Dear Thelma: I am told I have a habit of cutting someone off (or as I call it interjecting) during conversations. When I hear something with which I strongly disagree my instincts are to say something about it before I completely forget. My boyfriend becomes highly agitated when I disrupt him. He convicts me of having no conversational manners at all. I feel like a fool at times. Please help me understand why this is not acceptable. (Sunday, October 04, 2009)
Casual meal is worthy of 'best behavior,' too
Dear Thelma: I recently had an experience that left me puzzled and sad. I invited two couples to join my husband and me for an intimate dinner celebration at my home. Together we decided to share in providing the meal. One couple would bring an appetizer, the other a salad and I would provide the main course. On the night of the dinner, the salad arrived 45 minutes late and the appetizer an hour late. Everyone felt bad and apologized profusely, but the evening was a disaster. (Sunday, September 27, 2009)
Unwanted Holiday Gifts Only Add To Clutter
Dear Thelma: My husband and I live on a fixed income. We would like to discontinue the practice of sending and receiving holiday gifts with our relatives who live out of state. The gifts we often receive are duplicates of items we already have or are not our style, and they add clutter to our very small home. We are often at a loss to figure out what to send the relatives since we see them rarely. We would be willing to exchange gift cards, but adding more clutter to our home is becoming overwhelming. (Sunday, September 20, 2009)
Driver asking for gas money is no violation
Dear Thelma: I have several friends who can no longer drive, so I pick them up regularly to attend concerts or other events. Am I wrong in thinking they should have offered to share in the cost since they are unable to take turns driving? It took me a long time to summon the courage to ask for money. I felt very uncomfortable and used because I had to ask. I feel they were reluctant to contribute — one was quite rude about it. Now I feel awkward. How would you have handled this? (Sunday, September 13, 2009)
Conference calls often devolve into bad manners
Dear Thelma: A work area in which I find co-workers lacking in manners is conference calls. From my perspective, not keeping other participants waiting, muting the phone when you are talking to others or rustling papers, not talking over other participants, focusing on the call at hand and setting an agenda for the call are just good manners. (Sunday, September 06, 2009)
Money-borrowing boyfriend just isn't worth it (Sunday, August 30, 2009)
Hey, kids: Your cell phone can be really annoying (Sunday, August 23, 2009)
Talk to daughter about her kids running wild (Sunday, August 16, 2009)
Putting a stop to bullying is right thing to do (Sunday, August 09, 2009)
Surviving dorm life requires thoughtful coexistence (Sunday, August 02, 2009)
Too many dog owners devoid of social graces (Sunday, July 26, 2009)
Should eating wait until everyone is served? (Sunday, July 19, 2009)
Store clerks should keep customers in line (Sunday, July 12, 2009)
Public servants must remember to put service first (Sunday, July 05, 2009)
Cell phone chat is no excuse to ditch reunion (Sunday, June 28, 2009)
Basic rules of etiquette apply when riding the train (Sunday, June 21, 2009)
Charity begins at home — but so do manners (Sunday, June 14, 2009)
Red flags at full staff after friends' ethical gaffe (Sunday, June 07, 2009)
Don't be a boor: RSVP means 'please respond' (Sunday, May 31, 2009)
