Sometimes things just don’t make sense. Here’s one of them: You are talking, maybe one-on-one or maybe in a meeting, shopping, having a meal or participating in any number of daily activities. The ubiquitous cell phone rings, halting everything until someone in the group reaches for their phone, checks caller ID and simultaneously realizes that,oops, their…

It’s Christmas Eve.  The house is aglow.  The presents are wrapped.  The baking is done and tomorrow’s festivities are under control.  Merry Christmas! Or is it?  Maybe it’s “Happy Holidays”.  Or “Season’s Greetings”.  What’s the right thing to say in greeting friends, family, shopkeepers and even strangers at this time of year? I’ve pondered this…

Thanksgiving is just a week or so away.  Those who plan and excute the meal–and the day–are in overdrive.  They want everything to be perfect on this day of giving thanks. What about the rest of us?  The lucky ones.  You know–the “guests”.  What can we do to show our gratitude to our host and his/her…

We all want our families–notice I did not say “children”–to have good manners and be respectful.  We work diligently to instill good manners to our children and are quick to chide our significant other when he/she strays from the realms of the mannerly.  I’m often asked what I think are some helpful things we can do at home…

Sadly, we reached a new low in good manners recently. First there was Rep. Joe Wilson, shouting at the President during a presidential speech in the House of Representatives. Then Serena Williams had her tirade with a US Open linesperson. And, last but not least, there was Kanye West taking the microphone from Taylor Swift…