Stephaniehorton's Blog

Social Networking Etiquette: Pause before Posting

stephaniehorton — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:48:09 +0000

The rapid pace of communication is fabulous, but kind of scary as well. There really is no room for error. Unlike spilling a drink on someone at a cocktail party or letting a certain swear word slip, a blunder online is forever. I caution: pause before you post. Some of the messages and postings I have seen have made my hair stand on end. I promise I’m really the “fun” Manners Lady, but when it comes to building online relationships IN SPACE I move very, very slowly. Remember, if you wouldn’t like to see your message printed in the paper, or wouldn’t like your Mom to read it . . . enjoy the pause. To learn more about social networking, join us June 4 in Bremerton, WA for “Bigfoot…Social Networking/Social Media Conference” www.bigfootsnc.com

For you Top Dogs

stephaniehorton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:29:38 +0000

If you are having trouble with people arriving to work on time, try this: welcome them every day with a warm handshake and smile, “Good morning, Bob! It’s so great to see you today!” In etiquette, we greet our fellow business associates with handshakes all the time, but rarely honor our staff in the same way. People leaving early?? Same thing! Shake Bob’s hand and tell him how much you appreciate his efforts. You’d be surprised how this simple greeting can change attitudes, and tardiness! I guarantee it works. I taught a college class which was known for students coming in late, etc. Here’s what I told them — “In business, we can’t do business until we have greeted each other with a handshake. Every night we meet, I will welcome each of you with a warm handshake at the beginning of class.” Someone then asked me, “What if we are late to class?” to which I responded, “That’s okay! Just come on up to the front of class, and I’ll stop everything to welcome you and shake your hand. After all, we cannot begin until I have welcomed everyone.” The following night there was a line outside the classroom. Imagine that. I became known as the “handshaking professor” which was just great! An added benefit – it helped me learn my students’ names, something else that EVERYONE appreciates. Cheers! Let me know how it works for you, okay?

Little Girls in High Heels?

stephaniehorton — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:26:56 +0000

And so . . . just as soon as I talk about how refreshing it was to attend a dress-up affair, this morning on Good Morning America there was a piece on little girls wearing high heels – more than for “dress up.” Funny, I seem to recall the flap over flip flops a couple of years ago when (I believe it was soccer) a girls sports team wore flip flops to meet President Bush. My, how times have changed! Okay, I admit that the flip flop flap put me on the ceiling, especially when one of the girl’s mothers said, “My daughter can wear what she wants – after all, the President is honoring HER.” Couldn’t believe it. If I am ever invited to meet the President of the United States, I think I will leave my flip flops – and capri pants – at home!

North Mason Steps out in Style

stephaniehorton — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:21:24 +0000

In today’s casual society (especially in the Northwest), it is a rare treat to dress up. And nobody appreciates it more than me – the etiquette coach. I’m so often challenged by my clients about clothing as it is so confusing these days. It was a delight to attend our North Mason Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation banquet where there was no question – it was the perfect time to go all out! The Alderbrook Resort and Spa did a magnificent job of hosting some 180 people for this semi-formal event, and it was beautiful. Why, do you ask, is this such a big deal? Dressing up? Because I can’t tell you how many times people have told me that they can’t really relax and have fun if they wear their best. Sorry – wrong! We had a blast at this event, despite the fact that we looked fabulous!

Holiday Party Tips!

stephaniehorton — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:08:36 +0000

Greetings! Looking for some holiday party tips for the office? Please check out this article http://www.journal-newspapers.com/articles/2009/12/02/in_this_issue/monthly_features/doc4b0d870b20efe592694487.txt

Freshen up your holiday manners!

stephaniehorton — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:00:05 +0000

It’s time to freshen up our holiday party manners! Today – RSVP! With all of the invitations out there, please remember to let your host know whether or NOT you will be attending. Some people think they are only supposed to RSVP if they ARE attending, and, I’m sorry, but that is not the case. Also, did you know that it is inappropriate to bring a guest unless it says “and guest” on your invitation?? And, it is also considered inappropriate to call and ask if you can bring a guest – or kids. Why? because it puts your host in the position of saying “no” to you, which is awkward. There you have it! Your party update for the day! Please send me your questions for other tips…

It has happened yet again – after a speech on etiquette yesterday, I was asked by several people if I teach etiquette for teens. I was reminded of another talk I gave last year when a security guard was called in to remove a cell phone from a teen, followed by the teen throwing his water bottle at the teacher. Seems teens need some help in the etiquette department. While I do work with teens sometimes, my immediate response is always the same: “Do you have Sunday dinner at your house?” If you do, you know how invaluable this can be. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but knives and forks are a good idea. I find that many youth don’t know how to hold utensils properly because most of the food they eat comes in a bag. I’m all for convenience, don’t get me wrong, but it is a shame to let our children flounder when it comes to dining etiquette. Let’s see, it seems to me I started a series of Sunday dinners when a certain person in my life picked up a baked potato and took a bite out of it. My work is never done. Cheers, Stephanie

stephaniehorton — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:38:56 +0000

Please make it stop! I had to turn off the news today. I couldn’t listen for one more minute to the negative press about our President’s winning the Nobel Prize. I know, the etiquette lady . . . if you can’t say something nice . . . I can’t stand it! We finally have a president who makes us proud, listens to other people, challenges us to think and move in new directions, and we have to keep tearing him down. If I hear one more person say, “he doesn’t deserve it,” I think I will scream. He’s IN IT. He’s DOING IT. I wish we could simply support him. There, I said it. Of course this all goes back to my etiquette training on good conversation skills, right? I’m always urging people to put a positive spin on things; otherwise, a conversation can quickly become uncomfortable. I hope we can remember that tonight. I was going to talk about oyster slurping at OysterFest in Shelton, but this trumped it. Have a good week, everyone.

stephaniehorton — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:18:34 +0000

It is pretty ironic that the recent bad behavior by public figures Kanye West, Serena Williams and Congressman Joe Wilson would shine the spotlight on an etiquette speaker. Gotta love it! When asked what I think about all of these unpolished moments, my answer is simply, “My work is never done.” Our culture has morphed into more than just a ME generation, we are now ME, ME and ME – all in search for that 15 minutes of fame. And, it is easier than ever to reach these days due to the immediacy and access multiple media avenues provides 24/7/365. As our President stated, the words to remember at a time like this are “dignity” and “civility.” Simply put, be nice. To everyone. Every day. It’s not that tough, but somehow manners and etiquette are lost in the shuffle. In the spirit of “Are bad manners driving your clients/workmates/friends/dates crazy?” here’s today’s common courtesy comment for consideration: make a statement to those in your life by respecting their time (do you NEED to text them at midnight; NEED to answer that cellphone call while you are changing a diaper?) For more, please check out today’s interview with Jim Heinz of KITZ 1400AM Megatalk radio at 6pm. Cheers!

stephaniehorton — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:55:07 +0000

My first blog…what a moment! I’ve been observing the action on cyberspace for sometime, now, and have concluded that blogging is the way to go, so here goes for me. My passion is etiquette and manners, basically common courtesy. One might think of it as a lost art, but I assure you it is not. Etiquette consultants and speakers like me are out there, believe it! My company is “Top Dog Etiquette,” which people often misinterpret as a dog training business. I love it! As, in some cases, we are a culture that is more likely to invest in our pet’s manners and behavior than our own. Thus, my work is never done. What is your etiquette pet peeve?

stephaniehorton — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:48:32 +0000