Practice good manners when you Trick-Or-Treat!

What do your children need to know before they trick-or-treat?

To plan for this festive day, we're establishing some general ground rules for those on the "receiving" end. 

• Stay on the walk-way to the front door. You don't want to mow down your neighbors prize mums.
• Ring the door bell twice, if no response go to another home.
• Homes that are dark, should not be approached.  They are either not at home or do not wish to participate in Halloween.
• Carry a flash light at all times so cars can see you and you can see where you're walking.  And parents can add reflective tape to costumes and candy containers.
• Be courteous when someone answers the door, say      "Trick-or-Treat" nicely.
• Be sure to say, "Thank you" after receiving your treat.
• Never go into someone's home.
• Only eat candy that is wrapped.
• Time to start Halloween is when it becomes dark outside and not past 9:00 p.m.
• Don't rifle through the candy to find your favorite treat. Take one treat unless told otherwise.

                              

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

              What does it take to be the perfect Airbnb guest? 

Many travelers are embracing Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO - but for many tourists, this kind of travel is still relatively new and Airbnb guest etiquette is still being written.

1.  Follow the rules.  Read the entire listing prior to booking and don't ask to pay cash.  

2.  After your inquiry book quickly.  Don't leave the host in limbo.

3.  If you are running late on your arrival time, let the host know.

4.  This is not a hotel.  Dress appropriately when walking around the house and be mindful about cleaning up around the house.  There are no maids to clean the bathroom, the dishes or tidy up after guests.

5.  Be considerate about an additional guest.  If you book a room for one person, don't assume that some else can join you.  Especially, if you are sharing the home with the host.

6.  Ask about a bathroom schedule.  If you are sharing rather than booking the entire house, it may be that you are sharing a bathroom.  Ask the host if they will need the bathroom at certain times.

7.  Tell the host if there is something wrong.  If you are unhappy about something, give the host a chance to fix it. Don't say that everything was great and then write it up in the post-stay review.

8.   Your departure should be on time.  Make sure the bed is stripped and put all of the dirty laundry in the laundry room.  Clean up the bathroom and the room, you stayed in.  If you rented the entire home, wash the dishes, take out the trash and clean out the refrigerator before departing.  Return any keys or garage controls the host may have given you during your stay.

9.   No need to tip the host.  You may want to write a nice thank you note or leave a box of chocolates.  

10.  Leave a detailed review about your stay within twenty-four hours.  Hosts depend on Airbnb reviews.  

If you adhere to Airbnb guest etiquette, your stays will be pleasant for everyone and you will find it is a wonderful way to see the world!

How a Business Phone is Answered 

is an Important First Impression

When was the last time you phoned your business?

The first call to a business says everything about the company.  Is the person answering the business phone portraying a professional image?   

The conversation they have with the customer will shape their entire perception of the company.  

If you want that perception to be a positive one, here are a few tips to provide great telephone service and a positive first impression.

1.  Answer the call by the third ring.

2.  Have a standardized greeting that is polite and informative. Give a welcoming greeting and let them know immediately whom they are speaking with.

3.  When sending the caller to another extension, use the word “connect” and not “transfer.” Customers who are “transferred” frequently feel like they are being passed off.

4.  Ask if you can place the caller on hold and WAIT for their response.  If they answer "no", assist the caller.  Never put anyone on hold longer than 30 seconds.  In addition, thank the caller for holding.

5.  The proper ending of a call should not be rushed.  Always ask the customer if there is anything else you can help them with.  If not, thank them for calling and wish them a nice day. Use the clients name as it makes the entire experience more personalized. 

Finally, it is proper phone etiquette to make sure that the customer hangs up the phone first!

                                                            *****************

Having great phone etiquette is an important starting point for providing a great customer experience. This initial contact could mean a lot when it comes to getting a picture of your business and what it stands for. 

Great phone manners make people feel better about doing business with you.

For more information about our programs, please visit our website at www.itsallaboutetiquette.com or call 480 510-6346

GRADUATION ETIQUETTE

Whether you have a child who is graduating from high school or college, there are certain things you need to consider.

Invitations -  A graduation announcement is not the same as a graduation invitation. If you receive an announcement, you are not obligated to send a gift, although you may choose to do so.

If you receive an invitation, consider yourself lucky, as most graduation ceremonies limit the number of attendees. In this case, it's appropriate to give a gift, but you are not obligated to do so. 

When to send invitations - Graduation announcements and invitations should be sent out three or four weeks before the scheduled date.  They should be sent out separately and hand addressed.

Gifts - Usually the gift is something the graduate can use in the next phase of life.  A gift card is always nice, small appliances for their dorm, bedding, weekend luggage, one of our etiquette courses are just a few ideas.

Flowers - Flowers are also a thoughtful choice.  It's tradition to present the graduate with a corsage or boutonnière prior to the graduation ceremony, or a bouquet of flowers afterwards.

Graduation Party - A graduation party is for close friends, relatives, acquaintances and special guests. The graduate and the parents should decide together whom they would like to invite.

Thank you note - Don't forget to send a hand written thank you note no later that two weeks after the graduation celebration.

    

Congratulations to all students moving forward to the next wonderful phase of their lives! 

And to all you Mom's.... Happy Mother's Day

Please visit our website for more information about our Summer Etiquette Camps!

www:itsallaboutetiquette.com 

What age do you teach your child "Please" & "Thank You"

Etiquette Tip: At what age do you teach your child to say “please” and “thank you”

Parents can gently encourage their child to say "please" and "thank you" as soon as he or she begins to talk. It is going to take some coaxing on the parent’s part.

When your child wants something you can say, “Please” and when your child hands you something, you simply say, "Thank you". Your child will learn to repeat after you, and eventually use the word at the appropriate times. 

At the age of two, a parent can ask their child to repeat requests with "please" as the preface. When they say, "juice" you can repeat, back "Juice, please." Be consistent about asking for a "please" before you give your child what they want and try not to insist to the point that it becomes a battle. 

Thank You"?

Please visit our website for more information about our etiquette programs. www.itsallaboutetiquette.com or call 480 510-6346

Teach your children how to graciously accept and give a gift.

Teach Your Children the Etiquette of Gift Giving & Receiving This Holiday Season  

Now that the holiday season is here, it’s important that parents teach their children the proper way to give and receive holiday gifts. I have heard several stories from parents about how embarrassed they were when their child told the gift giver, “I don’t like it,” or “I already have one just like it!”

To avoid this dilemma, it’s important for parents to teach their children what to say when they are faced with this situation. Children do not mean to be ungrateful or hurtful; they are just being honest and telling the truth.

Explain to your children that buying a gift for someone is a generous offering and that receiving a gift is special too. In the gift giving process, it’s important for a child to be a part of the process. Talk to your children and ask them what they think a nice gift would be. Take them through buying or making a gift, wrapping it (with a little help) and then giving the gift. This will help them to understand how much time and thoughtfulness goes into gift giving.

Here are a few etiquette tips parents should teach:

How to Give a Gift

·        Never directly ask a person what he or she wants for a gift.

·        The gift should be about the individual you are buying the gift for.

·        Always wrap the gift neatly.

·        Don’t blurt out what the gift is while the person is unwrapping it.

How to Receive a Gift

·        Open the card first and then the gift.

·        Look the person in the eyes who gave you the gift, smile, and say “thank you.”

·        Do not ask how much someone paid for the gift.

·        If your child already has the particular gift or does not like the gift, the child should still just

         smile and say “thank you.”

Parents often worry a bit about how they can teach their children to be honest while simultaneously telling them to lie about being grateful when someone gives them a gift they don’t like. This can be a bit difficult to discuss with young children. At the age of about 3 or 4 though a child can comprehend the reasoning when explained to them with concrete examples. It is important to talk to children and let them know that lying for personal gain is an entirely different concept when compared to lying that is designed to spare another person’s feelings.

Lastly, do not forget to help your child mail a handwritten thank you note right away. Always mention the gift and how you will use it. It is not OK to email or text a thank you note as that is a very impersonal way of showing your gratitude. And parents, don’t forget to mention that when giving or receiving a gift, it is really the thought that counts and not the gift.

Remember that teaching your children to have good manners and social skills is a precious gift that will last a lifetime!

Please visit our website www.itsallaboutetiquette.com to learn about our upcoming etiquette courses for the New Year!  Enrolling Now

Make it a Very Happy Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a day of gratitude for our blessings.  It is a day we gather with friends and family to celebrate a portion of those blessings with a feast of food. 

Thanksgiving etiquette tips for a grateful gathering.

For the Host

1.  Ask for help - If you are feeling overwhelmed and need a little help, ask a family member or a guest for help.  Guests are always willing to help out and it gives them time to share with you.

2.  Use place cards - Place your guests next to people you think they'll most enjoy talking to and keep relatives apart who don't see eye-to-eye.  Couples are split up so they can meet new people.  If you notice a conversation getting heated, jump in and change the subject.

3.  A hostess belongs with her guests, not in the kitchen - Clear the table, stack the dishes, put away anything that might spoil, but leave the clean-up until everyone has gone or do the dishes in morning.

For the Guest

1.  Bring a hostess gift - Wine, chocolates, holiday dish towels, flowers are a few suggestions. 

2.  Ask if you can bring a dish -  Offer some suggestions of what you're comfortable bringing.  You could say: "What may I bring?  I do make a yummy pumpkin cheesecake."

3.  Be a great guest - Introduce yourself to everyone. Start conversations by sharing how you know the host. Ask to help in the kitchen while the hostess is cooking,  Offer to refill drinks, and after dinner while she's cleaning up. Entertain the kids. 

4.  Avoid these topics -  Religion, politics, dietary restrictions and off color jokes.  Don't get stuck in the middle of a debate.  You may want to say: "I enjoy talking politics, but today I'm focusing on getting to know everyone's stories. What's your best Thanksgiving memory from childhood?" That approach is part of Thanksgiving manners.

Thanksgiving Bonus Tip:  

If you are a guest who brought food to the meal, and you leave early, you can take your container, but leave all (or most of) the extra food with the host in case someone wants seconds, or thirds. If you don't leave early, offer to leave the food you brought. If they say to take it, that's fine. 

I wish everyone a very blessed Thanksgiving with lots of heart felt memories.  Enjoy your love ones and your time together.

Please visit our website www.itsallaboutetiquette.com for our etiquette course schedule for 2019 or call 480 510-6346