Yes, I can go on and on about Halloween Manners...
Remember when you were a kid and decided to do a group costume, then when you walked out the door to pick up the other kids, there they were in a different costume than yours....
Halloween is like prom for kids. It's a chance for kids to dress up and express themselves. But, of course there are always the spoil sports who have no manners.
If you're going to change the costume, let everyone know. Also, if you're having a Halloween party, you need to invite everyone. Who knows, the dorky kid may not be so dorky when he or she's behind a mask. Some people are just shy.
In this day of H1N1 flu I think I would forego the bobbing for apples. But the peeled grape eyeballs are always a hit!
Tomorrow: Part Three and then I promise, no more Halloween Manners until next year!
xoxoAmanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoXA3JL3Ggk
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Halloween Manners
Of course there are manners for Halloween. The most obvious one is: DO NOT steal candy from little kids. That is so mean. It's okay to trade candy, but no stealing.
Of course it's also bad manners to eat so much candy you puke. That is a very painful way to make yourself sick. Trust me on this, I know. The goodness of the candy only lasts about five minutes.
Trick or Treating is so different than when I was a kid. I'm going to date myself, but I remember that my parents would let me wander around town until all hours, by myself, knocking on strangers doors! I remember once when I was eight I realized I had been walking away from my house since 6:30pm when it got dark until 11:00pm. I was a very long way from home...I don't remember when I got home, but even I was concerned.
No one seemed to mind. My brothers grabbed my FULL bag and switched out all their bad candy for what they thought was good. They didn't know just how good those 'Baked Bean' peanuts were, or the wax lips, or dots and other candy I learned to like.
Happy Halloween,
xoxoAmanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmDtWz27ueI
Of course it's also bad manners to eat so much candy you puke. That is a very painful way to make yourself sick. Trust me on this, I know. The goodness of the candy only lasts about five minutes.
Trick or Treating is so different than when I was a kid. I'm going to date myself, but I remember that my parents would let me wander around town until all hours, by myself, knocking on strangers doors! I remember once when I was eight I realized I had been walking away from my house since 6:30pm when it got dark until 11:00pm. I was a very long way from home...I don't remember when I got home, but even I was concerned.
No one seemed to mind. My brothers grabbed my FULL bag and switched out all their bad candy for what they thought was good. They didn't know just how good those 'Baked Bean' peanuts were, or the wax lips, or dots and other candy I learned to like.
Happy Halloween,
xoxoAmanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmDtWz27ueI
Monday, October 26, 2009
Good Manners in the ER
I spent five hours in the ER in Key West yesterday because a friend had an accident. He's okay, very uncomfortable, but alive...maybe the fall jostled something in his head that will keep him from wearing CROCs on a roof to clean out gutters with water. This is the number one reason why, Jews, don't clean gutters...
Anyway, I just wanted to share what good manners the administration, nurses and docs all were. They were pleasant and came out and made you feel like they were sincerely concerned. It was very busy for a Sunday, there were two air lifts out and several ambulance arrivals. Plus, I think there was some H1N1 (I'm not calling it swine flu remember, it's not the poor piggys fault).
So KUDOS to the Key West ER and this is coming from a doctor's daughter who spent many hours in the ER keeping up with her older brothers.
But who has BAD manners...whom ever owns the shopping center that has the PUBLIX in Key West. You know Publix has built an empire upon it's customer service. Inside the Publix I have always been treated well. It's a point that Publix still offers cart service, but we know most of us refuse it. EVERY Publix in the rest of Florida has a place to put the carts except us. I just came home from dodging about twenty carts! I always return my cart to the store, not inside but below. I actually saw another woman doing just that the other day too! Hooray for her! But if the owner would just have some good manners and give up a few parking spaces for the carts it would be appreciated. Until then....bad manners Mr. Shopping Center Owner...
xoxoAmanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9m2FLHlEwA
Anyway, I just wanted to share what good manners the administration, nurses and docs all were. They were pleasant and came out and made you feel like they were sincerely concerned. It was very busy for a Sunday, there were two air lifts out and several ambulance arrivals. Plus, I think there was some H1N1 (I'm not calling it swine flu remember, it's not the poor piggys fault).
So KUDOS to the Key West ER and this is coming from a doctor's daughter who spent many hours in the ER keeping up with her older brothers.
But who has BAD manners...whom ever owns the shopping center that has the PUBLIX in Key West. You know Publix has built an empire upon it's customer service. Inside the Publix I have always been treated well. It's a point that Publix still offers cart service, but we know most of us refuse it. EVERY Publix in the rest of Florida has a place to put the carts except us. I just came home from dodging about twenty carts! I always return my cart to the store, not inside but below. I actually saw another woman doing just that the other day too! Hooray for her! But if the owner would just have some good manners and give up a few parking spaces for the carts it would be appreciated. Until then....bad manners Mr. Shopping Center Owner...
xoxoAmanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9m2FLHlEwA
Thursday, October 22, 2009
SEX in the Library
Of course sex in the library is bad manners. But there are other fun things to do there, like check out books, dvd's, get information all for free...the library is an amazing resource. Check It Out....wow that would be a great logo for them.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIfXIPzf1wI
xoxoAmanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIfXIPzf1wI
xoxoAmanda
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Manners for Fantasy Fest
For those of you unfamiliar with Fantasy Fest, it's an event that takes place in Key West, Florida the last week in October.
If you think there are no manners for Fantasy Fest…you obviously don’t live in Key West full time. Key West is our community and Fantasy Fest is our way of inviting people in to have fun; to enjoy themselves by living out their fantasy and to spend money! Most of us living in Paradise full time are already living our fantasy by waking up to warm weather in the middle of January; diving the Vandenberg and getting a café con leche on our bike. We Key Wester’s brace ourselves and batten down the hatches for the onslaught of Fantasy Fest, much like a hurricane. If everyone would be a little more considerate of each other, then Fantasy Fest would fulfill my fantasy and make it enjoyable even for the Conchs.
Q. I have been conversing with a woman online for several months. We both live in the Mid-West, but have not met yet. A good friend of mine attends Fantasy Fest in Key West every year and has a blast. I have checked it out online and would like to bring her. Do you think it would be a good idea to bring her to Fantasy Fest for our first date?
A. In a word, no. Fantasy Fest is an outrageous week long party where people loose their inhibitions and anything goes, even though I am trying to enforce good manners…You really need to know the person you are bringing, because it would be very bad manners to impose something you feel perfectly harmless and fun, like walking around in public half naked, on someone who may not agree, but feel pressured to comply because everyone seems to be doing it.
Q. One year I was at the Pretenders in Paradise event during Fantasy Fest and some guy kept yelling for the MC to take off her top. The MC almost had the guy thrown out. Didn’t the heckler have exhibit bad manners?
A. My darling…believe it or not, I was at that same event and I remember that heckler. Ordinarily I detest a heckler, but I sincerely believe that heckler was having fun. Personally, I think it added to the event, but of course some did not. I think a heckle or two, as long as it’s not disparaging in any way, like ‘Hey fatso, whose your Momma?” and not yelled more than twice, is within reason, during Fantasy Fest.
Q. I work in a local retail store in Key West and am amazed at the people that come in to try on clothes, naked in full body paint, drunk at night during Fantasy Fest. What do you think?
A. Seriously, who’s shopping? The people on the street at night during Fantasy Fest generally have no idea what they’re doing and I don’t think you can hold them accountable. Close the store, or make it invitation only and have a special shopping event to watch Fantasy Fest from inside in air conditioning with champagne. Wow, I’d attend that. You know where to reach me…send me an invite.
Q. We are always invited to ride on a float during Fantasy Fest, but I’ve found the riders get too drunk. How can we avoid this?
A. Dancing badly or puking on a Fantasy Fest float is very bad manners! You must make a decision and be firm. You may request that the booze on the float be limited, or that there be no drinking ahead of time or while riding, but remember the ones behaving badly will always do what they want…because they have the bad manners. So you need to find a new float to attach yourself too or forego the riding and find a nice event or cool spot to watch it from. I hear retail store may be having a shopping party. I’ll keep you posted.
Fantasy Fest or just living in paradise can be a challenge especially because it’s a frame of mind. Here are some easy ways to have good manners around town, so we can put some civility back in Key West.
When you see someone drunk, or hurt who has fallen in the street or on the sidewalk. Offer your assistance. I cannot tell you how many people I have helped up from fallen bikes, or tripping on our uneven sidewalks. Of course if they’re swinging mad, then call 911 and stay out of arms reach until the authorities arrive.
If you’re riding your bicycle…follow the rules that vehicles follow for street traffic. STOP at stop signs and stop lights. SIGNAL when you’re making a turn. Actually, it’s legal for bicycles to ride on sidewalks if the street traffic is too dangerous, but must give pedestrians the right of way. YES, IT IS! And PLEASE for goodness sake, go the correct direction in the bike lane.
If some one is really intoxicated, call a cab for them and DO NOT try and tell me you don’t have your cell phone with you, because I just heard it ringing next to me at dinner in my favorite restaurant!
The best part of living in paradise is that no one passes judgment, but that also means that we need to use our own good judgment. Have a fun and safe Fantasy Fest, and try and use your good manners.
Don't forget to listen to me at: KONK1680am at 1:00 est. every Friday, you can go to: KONKam.com and listen online.
xoxo Amanda
If you think there are no manners for Fantasy Fest…you obviously don’t live in Key West full time. Key West is our community and Fantasy Fest is our way of inviting people in to have fun; to enjoy themselves by living out their fantasy and to spend money! Most of us living in Paradise full time are already living our fantasy by waking up to warm weather in the middle of January; diving the Vandenberg and getting a café con leche on our bike. We Key Wester’s brace ourselves and batten down the hatches for the onslaught of Fantasy Fest, much like a hurricane. If everyone would be a little more considerate of each other, then Fantasy Fest would fulfill my fantasy and make it enjoyable even for the Conchs.
Q. I have been conversing with a woman online for several months. We both live in the Mid-West, but have not met yet. A good friend of mine attends Fantasy Fest in Key West every year and has a blast. I have checked it out online and would like to bring her. Do you think it would be a good idea to bring her to Fantasy Fest for our first date?
A. In a word, no. Fantasy Fest is an outrageous week long party where people loose their inhibitions and anything goes, even though I am trying to enforce good manners…You really need to know the person you are bringing, because it would be very bad manners to impose something you feel perfectly harmless and fun, like walking around in public half naked, on someone who may not agree, but feel pressured to comply because everyone seems to be doing it.
Q. One year I was at the Pretenders in Paradise event during Fantasy Fest and some guy kept yelling for the MC to take off her top. The MC almost had the guy thrown out. Didn’t the heckler have exhibit bad manners?
A. My darling…believe it or not, I was at that same event and I remember that heckler. Ordinarily I detest a heckler, but I sincerely believe that heckler was having fun. Personally, I think it added to the event, but of course some did not. I think a heckle or two, as long as it’s not disparaging in any way, like ‘Hey fatso, whose your Momma?” and not yelled more than twice, is within reason, during Fantasy Fest.
Q. I work in a local retail store in Key West and am amazed at the people that come in to try on clothes, naked in full body paint, drunk at night during Fantasy Fest. What do you think?
A. Seriously, who’s shopping? The people on the street at night during Fantasy Fest generally have no idea what they’re doing and I don’t think you can hold them accountable. Close the store, or make it invitation only and have a special shopping event to watch Fantasy Fest from inside in air conditioning with champagne. Wow, I’d attend that. You know where to reach me…send me an invite.
Q. We are always invited to ride on a float during Fantasy Fest, but I’ve found the riders get too drunk. How can we avoid this?
A. Dancing badly or puking on a Fantasy Fest float is very bad manners! You must make a decision and be firm. You may request that the booze on the float be limited, or that there be no drinking ahead of time or while riding, but remember the ones behaving badly will always do what they want…because they have the bad manners. So you need to find a new float to attach yourself too or forego the riding and find a nice event or cool spot to watch it from. I hear retail store may be having a shopping party. I’ll keep you posted.
Fantasy Fest or just living in paradise can be a challenge especially because it’s a frame of mind. Here are some easy ways to have good manners around town, so we can put some civility back in Key West.
When you see someone drunk, or hurt who has fallen in the street or on the sidewalk. Offer your assistance. I cannot tell you how many people I have helped up from fallen bikes, or tripping on our uneven sidewalks. Of course if they’re swinging mad, then call 911 and stay out of arms reach until the authorities arrive.
If you’re riding your bicycle…follow the rules that vehicles follow for street traffic. STOP at stop signs and stop lights. SIGNAL when you’re making a turn. Actually, it’s legal for bicycles to ride on sidewalks if the street traffic is too dangerous, but must give pedestrians the right of way. YES, IT IS! And PLEASE for goodness sake, go the correct direction in the bike lane.
If some one is really intoxicated, call a cab for them and DO NOT try and tell me you don’t have your cell phone with you, because I just heard it ringing next to me at dinner in my favorite restaurant!
The best part of living in paradise is that no one passes judgment, but that also means that we need to use our own good judgment. Have a fun and safe Fantasy Fest, and try and use your good manners.
Don't forget to listen to me at: KONK1680am at 1:00 est. every Friday, you can go to: KONKam.com and listen online.
xoxo Amanda
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Birthday Manners
Believe it or not, some people don't like to celebrate their birthday. It can be for a lot of reasons and usually isn't about their age, but about birthday pasts. For these friends, you shouldn't force them to celebrate their birthday with a surprise party. That would be very bad manners. Instead a quiet dinner with champagne and good friends is the best. Of course unless they are alchoholics...then no champagne.
Birthdays are tricky. Some people are very offended when you don't remember. They pout and feel whomever didn't remember isn't really their friend. This is silly because some people have birthdays that are hard to remember, like December 25th when most people are celebrating someone else's birthday!
It's not bad manners to arrange a celebration of your own if you want. But it is bad manners to ask for gifts.
It's good manners to wish someone a happy birthday even if it's beleated or early. It's bad manners to be offended. Of course it's bad manners to go around wishing happy birthday constantly to the same person...that proves you are inconsiderate and won't calendar your friends birthday.
I have a dear friend whom I used to wish a happy birthday to in July only to find out that their birthday was in October! If someone is consistently confusing your birthday, it's good manners to correct your friend if you do it politely.
Birthdays can be fun...especially if your very young and very old. Of course it's always fun to eat cake and drink champagne. So I say, eat cake at least once a week and drink a flute of champagne...it's someone's birthday someplace...celebrate.
xoxoAmanda
Birthdays are tricky. Some people are very offended when you don't remember. They pout and feel whomever didn't remember isn't really their friend. This is silly because some people have birthdays that are hard to remember, like December 25th when most people are celebrating someone else's birthday!
It's not bad manners to arrange a celebration of your own if you want. But it is bad manners to ask for gifts.
It's good manners to wish someone a happy birthday even if it's beleated or early. It's bad manners to be offended. Of course it's bad manners to go around wishing happy birthday constantly to the same person...that proves you are inconsiderate and won't calendar your friends birthday.
I have a dear friend whom I used to wish a happy birthday to in July only to find out that their birthday was in October! If someone is consistently confusing your birthday, it's good manners to correct your friend if you do it politely.
Birthdays can be fun...especially if your very young and very old. Of course it's always fun to eat cake and drink champagne. So I say, eat cake at least once a week and drink a flute of champagne...it's someone's birthday someplace...celebrate.
xoxoAmanda
Monday, October 12, 2009
Columbus Day
Who is Christopher Columbus anyway?
Is he Italian, Spanish, Portuguese? Was he Jewish with a boatload of Jewish convicts seeking a new life, freedom for gold promised to Queen Isabella?
There are a lot of questions surrounding Christoper Columbus and there seem to be a lot of different answers.
With all of these questions, maybe we should question why we are honoring this man with a holiday. Perhaps it's because America was founded on mans twisted idea of justice. Justice for rapists, thieves and whores. Let these immoral people colonize a new world. Wow, there's a thought!
I do know that Christopher Columbus and his gang had absolutely NO manners. Unfortunately, neither do any gangs seeking to take over, key words, take over, land by force.
All I can say, is wait until the Aliens come. We are going to get what's coming to us.
xoxoAmanda
Is he Italian, Spanish, Portuguese? Was he Jewish with a boatload of Jewish convicts seeking a new life, freedom for gold promised to Queen Isabella?
There are a lot of questions surrounding Christoper Columbus and there seem to be a lot of different answers.
With all of these questions, maybe we should question why we are honoring this man with a holiday. Perhaps it's because America was founded on mans twisted idea of justice. Justice for rapists, thieves and whores. Let these immoral people colonize a new world. Wow, there's a thought!
I do know that Christopher Columbus and his gang had absolutely NO manners. Unfortunately, neither do any gangs seeking to take over, key words, take over, land by force.
All I can say, is wait until the Aliens come. We are going to get what's coming to us.
xoxoAmanda
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Column That Was Supposed to be In Solares Hill Today!
I'm not going to be preempted so easily, this is my column for this week. If you like it, please let Mark Howell know at Solares Hill: mhowell@keysnews.com
As you can read, the title of my column is Manners for Everyday Situations, but what does that mean? It means it’s a column on how to behave well in any situation. Walking around my home town, Key West and traveling the way I do, I am constantly accosted visually and verbally by someone demonstrating bad manners. Sometimes these affronts are made by upstanding citizens whom have been raised properly and are pillars of our community…and I’m not talking bubbas. Good manners are a necessity for everyone, young and old.
Q. I was listening to your radio show the other Friday and heard one of your call-in’s during your discussion on Wedding Manners. The gentleman on the phone asked if you thought it was good manners for a wedding official to ask beach goers to move and make way for a wedding ceremony. You said yes. I disagree. I was there first.
A. Dear Heart, this is precisely what I am talking about regarding the return of civility. Let’s revisit this question. If the wedding is a large production and will require hours of set up etc. then the official should have roped off the section at the opening of the park so no one would settle in. If the wedding requires ten minutes or so, just for the ceremony itself, I’m sure it would be more benefit to your kind reputation to let the wedding go on instead of being a stinker and saying no. Of course it is totally up to you, but in my opinion, it would be bad manners to say no to a bride on her wedding day when it would take so little to accommodate her dream. And how glorious for you to be able to make someone’s dream come true.
Q. The other day I was at a religious service and so I dressed nicely and what I thought appropriately. A very nice woman who is a highly acclaimed professional came up to me and complimented me. I graciously said thank you and told her where I had purchased my dress and what a bargain it was. Because I had been in the retail business, I mentioned that it had been stained with make-up so I asked for an additional discount, which meant I could not return it. She laughed and said, “I know you were the one who put the lipstick on it!” I was incredibly insulted. First of all I would never do that because of my integrity, and second it was make-up, not lipstick. Was I wrong in feeling insulted?
A. Not in my book! And I happen to be writing a book about manners in the bedroom…. But not to digress, this woman obviously spoke without thinking. This is a classic example of bad manners. I can’t tell you how many times someone writes to me telling me of an absolute jaw dropper someone blurted out, usually at some kind of event. All I can think of is that these people are nervous and what they are thinking somehow makes it out of their mouths. People, please think before you speak. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything. If you must, tape your mouth shut and do NOT drink.
Q. I am not married, but in a happy long term relationship; well meaning friends are always trying to fix me up. At times I go to events without my partner. It is in this situation that my well meaning friends sit me next to a single and give the impression I am looking for a relationship. It usually ends up embarrassing both of us. How do I put a stop to this?
A. My darling friend, I totally relate. I too am in the same situation and while I enjoy reciprocal flirting I try to make it very clear that I am spoken for, even though I never let my partner actually speak for me, au contraire! If you are attending a formal dinner party, gently remind your host that you would like to sit next to...and then name someone safe. However, do not assume, just because someone is married, they are safe, pick a friend. Or if you must sit next to the eligible guest out on the prowl, make sure that you pepper the conversation with juicy tidbits about your adored partner. That usually works for me.
Q. I was in a restaurant and could not believe the woman sitting at a table across from me was not only playing with her hair, she was dropping the loose strands on the floor! We were in a very upscale restaurant. What could I do?
A. Dearest...the only thing you could have done would have been to change seats, so you wouldn’t have to watch. The woman clearly was very nervous, as her hair was falling out. Playing with one’s hair, a dead waste product of our body is indeed gross, especially at the dinner table. Personally, I have never been able to understand the attributes given to the person with the fabulous head of hair. I’ll take my men shaved bald anytime, now that’s a sexy look and so versatile.
Send me the latest manner infraction you’ve observed so we can address it, or for answers to your manner questions or comments, e-mail me at: amandapipersmith@aol.com, or call me during my radio program, Manners for Everyday Situations, at 305-294-2769 from 1:00 to 2:00est. on Fridays live on the air at KONK1630am or KONKAM.com. And check out my blog: amandapipersmith.com for more commentary on what’re good and bad manners.
As you can read, the title of my column is Manners for Everyday Situations, but what does that mean? It means it’s a column on how to behave well in any situation. Walking around my home town, Key West and traveling the way I do, I am constantly accosted visually and verbally by someone demonstrating bad manners. Sometimes these affronts are made by upstanding citizens whom have been raised properly and are pillars of our community…and I’m not talking bubbas. Good manners are a necessity for everyone, young and old.
Q. I was listening to your radio show the other Friday and heard one of your call-in’s during your discussion on Wedding Manners. The gentleman on the phone asked if you thought it was good manners for a wedding official to ask beach goers to move and make way for a wedding ceremony. You said yes. I disagree. I was there first.
A. Dear Heart, this is precisely what I am talking about regarding the return of civility. Let’s revisit this question. If the wedding is a large production and will require hours of set up etc. then the official should have roped off the section at the opening of the park so no one would settle in. If the wedding requires ten minutes or so, just for the ceremony itself, I’m sure it would be more benefit to your kind reputation to let the wedding go on instead of being a stinker and saying no. Of course it is totally up to you, but in my opinion, it would be bad manners to say no to a bride on her wedding day when it would take so little to accommodate her dream. And how glorious for you to be able to make someone’s dream come true.
Q. The other day I was at a religious service and so I dressed nicely and what I thought appropriately. A very nice woman who is a highly acclaimed professional came up to me and complimented me. I graciously said thank you and told her where I had purchased my dress and what a bargain it was. Because I had been in the retail business, I mentioned that it had been stained with make-up so I asked for an additional discount, which meant I could not return it. She laughed and said, “I know you were the one who put the lipstick on it!” I was incredibly insulted. First of all I would never do that because of my integrity, and second it was make-up, not lipstick. Was I wrong in feeling insulted?
A. Not in my book! And I happen to be writing a book about manners in the bedroom…. But not to digress, this woman obviously spoke without thinking. This is a classic example of bad manners. I can’t tell you how many times someone writes to me telling me of an absolute jaw dropper someone blurted out, usually at some kind of event. All I can think of is that these people are nervous and what they are thinking somehow makes it out of their mouths. People, please think before you speak. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything. If you must, tape your mouth shut and do NOT drink.
Q. I am not married, but in a happy long term relationship; well meaning friends are always trying to fix me up. At times I go to events without my partner. It is in this situation that my well meaning friends sit me next to a single and give the impression I am looking for a relationship. It usually ends up embarrassing both of us. How do I put a stop to this?
A. My darling friend, I totally relate. I too am in the same situation and while I enjoy reciprocal flirting I try to make it very clear that I am spoken for, even though I never let my partner actually speak for me, au contraire! If you are attending a formal dinner party, gently remind your host that you would like to sit next to...and then name someone safe. However, do not assume, just because someone is married, they are safe, pick a friend. Or if you must sit next to the eligible guest out on the prowl, make sure that you pepper the conversation with juicy tidbits about your adored partner. That usually works for me.
Q. I was in a restaurant and could not believe the woman sitting at a table across from me was not only playing with her hair, she was dropping the loose strands on the floor! We were in a very upscale restaurant. What could I do?
A. Dearest...the only thing you could have done would have been to change seats, so you wouldn’t have to watch. The woman clearly was very nervous, as her hair was falling out. Playing with one’s hair, a dead waste product of our body is indeed gross, especially at the dinner table. Personally, I have never been able to understand the attributes given to the person with the fabulous head of hair. I’ll take my men shaved bald anytime, now that’s a sexy look and so versatile.
Send me the latest manner infraction you’ve observed so we can address it, or for answers to your manner questions or comments, e-mail me at: amandapipersmith@aol.com, or call me during my radio program, Manners for Everyday Situations, at 305-294-2769 from 1:00 to 2:00est. on Fridays live on the air at KONK1630am or KONKAM.com. And check out my blog: amandapipersmith.com for more commentary on what’re good and bad manners.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hotel Room Manners
What are the rules about staying in a hotel? That's what we're going to find out Friday the 9th at 1:00pm est on KONK1680 am.
Personally, I don't believe there are many rules, othere than it's illegal to run a prostitution ring out of the room, or have a party with underage sex and drinking and using illicit drugs. Pretty much what's illegal to do in your house is illegal to do in a rented hotel room, which technically is your home for the time you rent it.
Hotels, have their own unique rules, such as no pets or children.
Hotels can be an exciting change of scenery if your sex life is becomming a bit dull. Who doesn't like room service and maid service? Plus there's the 'do not disturb' sign that you can hang on the door and NO ONE disturbs you. Trust me, this does not work at home, I've tried it!
My rule of thumb for selecting the hotel room itself is that it must be nicer than my bedroom at home. This can prove challenging as my bedroom at home is pretty amazing, fireplace, view, flatscreen...but it lacks the room service and chocolate on the pillow, my two very favorite treats.
Some people don't like to eat in bed. I could live my entire life in bed if I had too, in the right room, with the right person.
Have you ever checked into a hotel room and never left it?
Hotel rooms can be a little slice of heaven or hell, depending upon what you want...
xoxoAmanda
Personally, I don't believe there are many rules, othere than it's illegal to run a prostitution ring out of the room, or have a party with underage sex and drinking and using illicit drugs. Pretty much what's illegal to do in your house is illegal to do in a rented hotel room, which technically is your home for the time you rent it.
Hotels, have their own unique rules, such as no pets or children.
Hotels can be an exciting change of scenery if your sex life is becomming a bit dull. Who doesn't like room service and maid service? Plus there's the 'do not disturb' sign that you can hang on the door and NO ONE disturbs you. Trust me, this does not work at home, I've tried it!
My rule of thumb for selecting the hotel room itself is that it must be nicer than my bedroom at home. This can prove challenging as my bedroom at home is pretty amazing, fireplace, view, flatscreen...but it lacks the room service and chocolate on the pillow, my two very favorite treats.
Some people don't like to eat in bed. I could live my entire life in bed if I had too, in the right room, with the right person.
Have you ever checked into a hotel room and never left it?
Hotel rooms can be a little slice of heaven or hell, depending upon what you want...
xoxoAmanda
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Bar Tender Manners
I covered bar manners a while ago, but last night I really needed to address bar tender. He really had an attitude, the kind that makes New York look bad.
Carlyle Care is a fairly upscale place...in fact over the top expensive. The fee to enter to watch the show is $75.00, this is for standing room and then, there is a $25.00 minimum, so this fellow who was from out of town who wanted to watch Woody Allen with Eddie Davis basically paid $100.00 for the priveledge to stand behind a three foot pillar with a diet coke, but he could listen.
He didn't mind, but what was offensive was the attitude of the bar tender. Apparently, there were other incidents where patrons were not as complacent as this gentleman was to hear Woody and be in the same room. After all you can go on youtube and watch woody allen playing the clarinet, which I highly encourage. Unfortuanately, I have forgotten how to post youtubes in my blog...big cities do that to me. Anyway...at one point a lovely lady paid her $100 plus bill and he yelled at her across the room saying, "Lady, the bill is one-hundred dollars plus!" She stood dumbfounded and he repeated his request louder and directly to her holding her captive with his eyes. He then counted the money in front of him in emphasis and realized...she had given him a $100 bill, not a $1 as he thought, but did he appologize? Yes, but it wasn't effective.
I just didn't understand where he was coming from. The room was aglow with happiness listening to the fabulous rag-time jazz being played, the yummy food and the general all-around conviviality. He needed a real tweak in bar manners and customer service.
Oddly, I have run into this customer service issue before here in NYC. There must be a lot of rude customers, but never the less, all customers should be treated like virgins...indroctinate them gently, carefully and with manners and all of your customers will treat you as nicely as well with respect for you the proprietor.
I promise.
Until then, I will continue to be polite no matter how much the woman serving coffee behind the counter spits at me.
xoxoAmanda
Carlyle Care is a fairly upscale place...in fact over the top expensive. The fee to enter to watch the show is $75.00, this is for standing room and then, there is a $25.00 minimum, so this fellow who was from out of town who wanted to watch Woody Allen with Eddie Davis basically paid $100.00 for the priveledge to stand behind a three foot pillar with a diet coke, but he could listen.
He didn't mind, but what was offensive was the attitude of the bar tender. Apparently, there were other incidents where patrons were not as complacent as this gentleman was to hear Woody and be in the same room. After all you can go on youtube and watch woody allen playing the clarinet, which I highly encourage. Unfortuanately, I have forgotten how to post youtubes in my blog...big cities do that to me. Anyway...at one point a lovely lady paid her $100 plus bill and he yelled at her across the room saying, "Lady, the bill is one-hundred dollars plus!" She stood dumbfounded and he repeated his request louder and directly to her holding her captive with his eyes. He then counted the money in front of him in emphasis and realized...she had given him a $100 bill, not a $1 as he thought, but did he appologize? Yes, but it wasn't effective.
I just didn't understand where he was coming from. The room was aglow with happiness listening to the fabulous rag-time jazz being played, the yummy food and the general all-around conviviality. He needed a real tweak in bar manners and customer service.
Oddly, I have run into this customer service issue before here in NYC. There must be a lot of rude customers, but never the less, all customers should be treated like virgins...indroctinate them gently, carefully and with manners and all of your customers will treat you as nicely as well with respect for you the proprietor.
I promise.
Until then, I will continue to be polite no matter how much the woman serving coffee behind the counter spits at me.
xoxoAmanda
Monday, October 5, 2009
Pet Co is not like the Commercials
I have decided I want to live a Madison Avenue life. Where do these people in marketing come up with these fanciful ideas of how life should be...Has anyone reading this ever been in a real Pet Co.? Egad...it's nothing like the commercial accept for all the animals running around looking for places to mark.
I felt I had walked into zombie-land. It was a place where bad dreams are cultivated. And the smell. Thank goodness there isn't smellavison, because that would seriously kill any pitch Madison Avenue could possibly dream up for Pet Co.
And friends...seriously, people who look like actors, do not work in Pet Co. This is not one of those secret places to go to try and hook-up, like the magazine aisle in Barnes and Noble. There's a secret...
Look, I love animals, I am just not a pet person. I travel too much, I can only keep plants that can survive outside, like indigenous trees and perennials. The only reason I had children, was because I knew one day they would grow up and be able to function on their own and maybe if luck has it...take care of me! But I know this about myself.
Pet Co. is not a place I would put on the must see while traveling. In fact, I would avoid it at all costs.
Click on the link below, but I apologize if it doesn't work. I'm using a friends computer and I'm discombobulated...still from Pet Co.
click here
I felt I had walked into zombie-land. It was a place where bad dreams are cultivated. And the smell. Thank goodness there isn't smellavison, because that would seriously kill any pitch Madison Avenue could possibly dream up for Pet Co.
And friends...seriously, people who look like actors, do not work in Pet Co. This is not one of those secret places to go to try and hook-up, like the magazine aisle in Barnes and Noble. There's a secret...
Look, I love animals, I am just not a pet person. I travel too much, I can only keep plants that can survive outside, like indigenous trees and perennials. The only reason I had children, was because I knew one day they would grow up and be able to function on their own and maybe if luck has it...take care of me! But I know this about myself.
Pet Co. is not a place I would put on the must see while traveling. In fact, I would avoid it at all costs.
Click on the link below, but I apologize if it doesn't work. I'm using a friends computer and I'm discombobulated...still from Pet Co.
click here
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Spanking is good manners at weddings.
I love this video. It shows both the bride and the groom having fun at the wedding. I think the groom has way to much fun at most weddings. Looking at all the videos posted, the guys are stripping, dancing to Thriller, getting drunk and generally all around having a blast o rama.
I think the bride is too caught up in the reception and if anyone's having fun, especially the mother-in-law. Brides shouldn't be allowed to plan their own weddings. They should be given a check list of things they want:
Colors:
Food:
Music:
Groom: etc. Personally I would opt for George Clooney, or maybe not, who knows, but it would be great to have a little surprise once in a while.
Listen in tomorrow, Friday, on KONKAM.com at 1:00est to my show on wedding manners from both sides. Call in and tell us your story: 305-294-2769.
xoxoAmanda
click here
I think the bride is too caught up in the reception and if anyone's having fun, especially the mother-in-law. Brides shouldn't be allowed to plan their own weddings. They should be given a check list of things they want:
Colors:
Food:
Music:
Groom: etc. Personally I would opt for George Clooney, or maybe not, who knows, but it would be great to have a little surprise once in a while.
Listen in tomorrow, Friday, on KONKAM.com at 1:00est to my show on wedding manners from both sides. Call in and tell us your story: 305-294-2769.
xoxoAmanda
click here
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