Ask Ann - Etiquette Questions & Answers
by: Ann Woods
Q. A friend and I were meeting at a local restaurant and a person at the next table pulled out her cell phone and talked nonstop for almost twenty minutes. She was loud enough to be heard by everyone around her and was very annoying. I see more and more people using cell phones in grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and in other public places. What are the etiquette rules about using cell phones in public?
A. It seems that some people have not learned the old rules. We have always had rules about keeping our phone calls private, not shouting in public, making noise in theaters, ignoring the people you are with, spoiling the atmosphere of a quiet and dignified place, and appearing to do business in a social setting. These rules are still in effect!
In grocery stores, shops, or possibly coffee shops where a lot of chatter is the norm; I see no real objection unless the cell phone user talks loudly enough to disturb others. As always, common sense prevails.
Text messaging is less obtrusive, however that doesn’t mean you should do it in a meeting, theater, church, or other event where you can disturb others. Remember to put your cell phone in silent mode when ringing or vibrating would disturb others. If it is absolutely necessary to use your cell phone, excuse yourself and go outside or to a more private place. Rudeness is never in style!
Q. I’m often confused with which side a person should be served food. Also, which way should food be passed?
A. When serving, each course should be served on the person’s left and when the course is finished, take away from the right side. This is true for everything except beverages. Drinks should be served and taken away from the right side to minimize the possibilities of an accidental spill.
When dining family style, food should be passed to the right or counterclockwise. When asked to pass the salt, pass the pepper too.
Business etiquette tip : When spraying on perfume, remember, “a little dab will do you.” Many people suffer from allergies and excessive perfume can be a great irritant. Don’t spray perfume on your clothing. Perfume should only be noticed by those in very close proximity. Too much perfume, too much jewelry, too much make-up and flashy clothing are not appropriate in a business setting. Don’t limit your success- dress conservatively!
The National League of Cotillions offers a wide range of etiquette classes covering a variety of everyday topics, such as: introductions, greeting and shaking hands, sports etiquette, & family
dining. Ann also covers more formal parts of etiquette: formal dining, eating unusual foods, receiving lines, and sending and receiving invitations and thank you notes. In addition students receive extensive instruction in social dancing.
Ann is the Area Director of the National League of Cotillions, teaching etiquette classes and social dancing to young people in kindergarten through twelfth grade in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. In addition, Ann also conducts etiquette classes and business protocol classes for adults. She works with colleges, universities, and businesses throughout the Mountain Empire.
To schedule Ann as a corporate or guest speaker or for details about this year’s Cotillion programs, call or email: Ann Woods, phone: 423-989-3316, email: cotillion@btes.tv
