Saturday, December 30, 2006

Receiving Gifts


A lot of times people will say that it is better to give than to receive. I think they are referring to the point at which you receive something that you never would have bought for yourself and possibly consider it cruel that someone bought this thing for you.

Take the poll on the website mannerscast.com, and leave your stories about how you reacted when getting something awful.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

SHOW NOTES: Episode 26 - Christmas #2


We were a couple of days late on this one, but this stuff still applies to next year!

In this continuation of our Christmas theme we talk about Mistletoe in the office, Carolling Manners, and "To Santa Claus or To Not Santa Claus." Topic 3 might not be appropriate for little, "believing" ears...

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What we learned in Episode 26:

1)  Mistletoe should not be employed in an office environment.
2)  Carollers should stand back a good distance from the door when singing.
3)  Those who are being carolled to should listen attentively and possibly
      provide treats.
4)  If you observe or do not observe Santa Claus, just keep in mind that
      everyone else may not share your view on the subject. There is no       
      reason to get naughty about it... so respect one another's decisions
      either way.

RANDOLPH, THE BOW-LEGGED COWBOY:
(to the tune of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer)

Randolph, the bow-legged cowboy,
had a very shiny gun.
And if you ever saw it,
you would drop your pants and run!
All of the other cowboys
used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Randolph
join in any cowboy games.
Then, one dusty Christmas Eve,
the Sheriff came to say,
"Randolph, with your gun so bright,
won't you shoot my wife tonight?"
Then how the cowboys loved him
as they shouted out with glee,
"Randolph, the bow-legged cowboy,
you'll go down in history!"

Monday, December 18, 2006

SHOW NOTES: Episode 25 - Christmas #1


The book Colin talks about:
Influence: Science and Practice by Robert B. Cialdini.


White Elephant Gift

The White elephant gift exchange, or Yankee Swap, is a popular party game played during the Christmas season in the United States. The objective of the game is for guests of a party to each contribute one gift to the game, and ultimately each guest walks away with one gift from the game. Along the way is a random drawing to determine the order in which players get to unwrap gifts or "steal" previously opened.

"1 Car = 1 Parking Space" T-Shirt
Graphic Designer: James Kocsis.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

No Standing


Most of you reading this, since it is a blog about manners, probably already think about when you might be in someone's way. Good on you! I did, however, want to bring it up as something happened to me the other day when exiting a plane after a two hour flight with a 1.5 year old.

The kid wasn't the problem. He did pretty well considering, but the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time on the plane or the jetway than was necessary... I think everyone is still with me here.

The issue came when the group of adults exiting the jetway in front of us decided to have a conclave at the entrance to the tunnel. They forgot they were in public and bunched up around the door all facing away from the exiting passengers. They began to discuss who would get the rental car and who would go to the restroom (Ep. 23) and who would go wait for the luggage.

This is a call for us all to keep in mind that there are other people in the world who might want to get by at some time.

Whew!
Trent

Monday, December 11, 2006

Episode 24 Fluff


Someone told me that there is about 10 minutes worth of dead "air" on the end of Episode 24.

I could say that I actually forgot to cut the export off at the correct time and accidentally left WAY to much of nothing on the end of the podcast, but where would the fun be in that?

Instead, the "real" reason for the blank time on the end of Episode 24 is so you guys and gals have a chance to ponder and even talk amongst yourselves (see the included graphic for one example).

And while you're at it... tell someone about The MannersCast!

Sincerely,
Trent

Sunday, December 10, 2006

SHOW NOTES: Episode 24

Grammar Manners and Gifting...

• Article on Grammar suggested by Grammar Girl:
     alphadictionary.com article on grammar

• Manners Mom, Leah Ingram

     MannersMom Website
     GiftsAndEtiquette.com