Sunday, November 23, 2014

Real life etiquette gets social!



Today whilst I posted up something funny on good 'ol 'facey',  I felt I had to start my status with the word "WARNING:", why? you may ask. Well I believe in real life and also in the social media world etiquette has most definitely got lost.

Manners, what manners!

How do you post your status'?

  • Post away no holds barred?
  • Careful of your posts based on what other think?
  • Being aware of young children (say under 12) simply looking over your shoulder?
Tell us your thoughts.



Well in real life and being 'online social' I believe we can certainly pull our socks up. I am not saying be back in the 1950's (one of my favourite decades by the way) but stay modern in our approach

It is a delicate balance, right?!?

Now maybe it's the stage we are in within our household with two young ladies aged 7 and 10 (well nearly, what's six months between friends), that I am more acutely aware of what they are reading, hearing and most boldly THEN saying out loud and back to me.

Then it got me thinking about how social media is not really all THAT SOCIAL. The tone, the lack of expression, the hearing of your best friends voice..... not social one bit.

I do, however, adore that I can keep in touch with all my friends near and far.


1950's Fashion at it's finest. Gloves and all.

I did find this excerpt online quite amusing and thought you would enjoy the words.

Here are a few simple ways to act like a lady:1. Shoulder’s back: Please, this is a call out to the slouchers of the world. Do the three step process: 1. Shoulders up; 2. Shoulders back; 3. Shoulders down. You will look more confident and in control for it.
2. Handwrite, don’t email ‘thank you cards’ –  it’s personal, plus everyone loves getting something, non-bill-related in mail.
3. Never sport chipped nails: Gasp! It screams ‘I cannot be bothered’, which is never a good thing. Either stick with the upkeep of well-manicured nails or go bare. It’s really an all or nothing approach.
4. Know how to use cutlery and which side of the table they belong on (knife and spoon on the right, fork on the left).
5. Address senior people (for example, your uni lecturer, or your Nan’s best friend by their surname (i.e. Mrs Alpha) or their full name (i.e. Josephine instead of Jo) until they invite you to do otherwise.
6. You should never cut bread at a table: Instead, pull it apart into bite-sized pieces.
7. If you have ever had the awkward Which one is my cup, is it on my right or my left?, think of this simple rule: drinks on the right, solids (i.e. your side plate) on the left.
8. Don’t talk too loudly on your mobile phone in public places: None of us are really that interested in your best friend’s cousin’s sister’s ex- boyfriend.
9. Please use the ‘magic words’ of please and thank you. It’s basic courtesy.
10. Avoid being late: Having good manners incorporates respecting those around you. If you’re meant to be meeting someone, arrive either 5 minutes earlier or on the dot. If you happen to be late give your fellow guest the courtesy of knowing when you anticipate your arrival so they can plan their timetable accordingly.
11. Iron your clothes. It doesn’t take long but makes a world of difference.
12. Eat soup by scooping the spoon away, not towards you. Also, please sip, not slurp!

If you’re interested in harking back to the ye olde time where etiquette was king, perhaps you should read the Queen of Australian Etiquette, Ita Buttrose’s ‘A Guide To Australian Etiquette’ for $29.95 from Penguin Books. I highly recommend it.


Must blog more often.
'til next muttering
Pip xo

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