’d venture to say that PDAs are more commonly carried than pens, or even combs, in the pockets and purses of most urbanites. Every week, I receive questions for BlackBerry etiquette or iPhone protocols and our May newsletter provided tweetiquette tips. Social networking is a part of daily life and often provides a wake-up call with the first tweet of the day.
We have become a nation of archivists – meticulously recording even the smallest of details. Although the accent is on “social,” some would say there’s a dark side to all this documentation. And that’s exactly what prompted a group of New York City’s avant-garde writers to host twice monthly, off the record salons, or parties, where PDAs and photos are strictly verboten. Kind of a party hearty atmosphere – with no fear of recrimination. But an over the top, Bacchanalian fête is not the intent. Rather, the point is to cease and desist from chronicling every nanosecond. (One could argue that the hosts have, indeed, made a clever PR move.)
Posted on August 18th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Etiquette, Social Etiquette, Techno-Communication | 1 Comment »
The entire incident was no big deal; I’m simply using it to illustrate my point that saying “sorry” often falls into the category of empty words.
Posted on August 4th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Diane's Reflections, Social Etiquette | 1 Comment »
Some friends and colleagues, notably women, have left the locker room behind for yoga and Pilates studios, but I‘m sticking and staying with my regular workout at the gym. Not every day, but three times a week – early morning, at lunch, or in a pinch after work – I visit the gym. And I’m not alone; many of us rush to the gym for that holy hour in honour of our health, our body and our sanity.
Perhaps my initial decision to work with a personal trainer was motivation – kind of an insurance policy that once I joined the club, I’d go. Mere membership was no solution to staying fit.
Posted on July 30th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Etiquette, Social Etiquette | 3 Comments »
Earlier this month, Global News asked me to appear on the 6 o’clock news to comment on the social taboo of foul language or cursing and swearing. I was being asked to comment on the etiquette of cursing–an oxymoron if ever I heard one! (Swearing – meaning solemn promise – is another subject for another day.)
A recent study by British psychologist Dr. Richard Stephens had just been released, linking the use of four letter words, profanities, vulgarities – by whichever name you call them – with pain management.
Posted on July 21st, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Etiquette, Social Etiquette, Techno-Communication | 4 Comments »
A client writes: There seems to be a lot of confusion about RSVP. I noticed this with two invitations I recently sent out. The first was to an intimate bridal shower at my home, and the second, to a costly destination wedding. I understand my experience was typical. Today, brides and mothers-of-the-bride must routinely call guests who ignore RSVP’s, even when a reply card is included with the wedding invitation.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Communication, Etiquette, Social Etiquette, Special Events, Weddings | 2 Comments »
