Tribute to the Fourth of July

         When I think of the Fourth of July, so many sights, sounds and scents come to mind. I instantly smell the heavenly aroma of backyard barbeques shared with family and friends; I recall big, bright, beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky, and can’t help but hear “America the Beautiful” sung by the legendary Ray Charles play in my head. I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the picture. While these are all wonderful elements that make this holiday special, I think it is important that we take time to consider why we celebrate the Fourth of July, and reflect on what makes the United States of America such an amazing country. I have compiled a short list of a few things that make me proud to be an American.


        We are a country based on the principles of freedom. 238 years ago, July 4^th, 1776 to be exact, the Continental Congress representing the thirteen colonies, finalized and adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. This is a powerful document that has guided our country since its founding. The following line particularly stands out to me and in my opinion serves as the backbone of this country: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (US 1776) As you can see from this line alone, our country’s foundation was built on the principles of freedom and liberty, by which we are so incredibly blessed and should hold dear.

         Our country is known as the land of opportunity. From the beginning, the United States has been known as the land of possibilities. People have chosen and continue to choose to come to this country because of the promise of the “American Dream.” Our freedoms make this idea a reality because, here in the U.S., we are given the ability to start from nothing and become something great. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources and the freedom for individuals to take advantage of them, people have been able to build their lives through innovation; thus, propelling our country to be the world leader it is today.

        We couldn’t be the home of the free without the help of the brave. Today, we have hundreds of thousands of service men and women who everyday risk their lives to protect us, our basic freedoms, and our democracy. Our history is rich with military endeavors that have served to do just that. There is no better time than Independence Day to thank our veterans and current service members for their sacrifice and bravery. Without them, we could not be the global power we are today.


         Now that you’ve read my list, I challenge you to create one for yourself; share it with others and encourage them to do the same. Holidays are a great time for celebration, but they also are a wonderful time for reflection. If you would like a little more Independence Day inspiration, take a look at our Pinterest Page.

Happy Fourth of July and May God Continue to Bless America!

Photo Courtesy of: Mar Lidia

Father's Day

With blended families becoming more and more the norm, many of us have a step-parent or someone who may have stepped in to fill the role of a parent at some point in our lives. Whatever your situation, I encourage you to celebrate your father, stepfather, father-in-law, grandfather, or  significant male figure in your life as we approach Father’s Day.

Here are some ideas to thank your father – or father figure - for all the love and support they have shown through the years.

-          Send a card or ecard. Sending Mom flowers on Mother's Day is always a safe option, however, that is not necessarily the case for Father’s Day. Dad will probably not get the same thrill that mom does when Teleflora knocks at the door.  Mail a card (though time is running out for this option) or send an ecard. There are a number of wonderfully messaged ecard options and many are free.

-          Call or Skype. With today’s technology, the possibilities are endless in being able to communicate with your loved ones. Try video-chatting with your dad for a more personalized conversation, especially if you have not seen each other for a while.

-          Spend time together. There are a plethora of things you can do when spending time with dad. You can make or take him a meal, invite him to lunch, rent his favorite movie, play cards, or just enjoy a nice visit.  Whatever you decide, the key is to enjoy the time you have together.

-          Offer a gift of a special memory. Take a trip down memory lane and give your father something to remind him of a special memory the two of you share. A framed photo of a family trip or outing makes a nice gift and one he will enjoy for a long-time to come.

I am go grateful for the years I had my dad in my life. He was an amazing man.  And, I am also thankful for my step-dad who keeps us all laughing and smiling... most of the time.

Happy Father’s Day!

Making Etiquette Easy: Workplace Bullying

Images from Herndon Davis

By now, we should all know a thing or two about how social graces can keep us from embarrassing ourselves or others on a daily basis. But have you ever considered, when taken to extremes, a lack of etiquette can be termed bullying? An attitude here or there at the workplace is one thing, but when it starts to become a habitual act, you may be looking for a new job.

• Watch the Intimidation Factor: Many people think that if they create a bit of fear in the office, their employees or coworkers will respect them more. Of course no one wants to feel they can be trampled on, but fanning the flames of intimidation not only makes people uncomfortable, it is also unwarranted bullying.


• Equality for All: Whether unintentional or not, treating some employees differently than others is a gamble you don't want to take. As far as etiquette is concerned, people will notice and feel you are favoring certain individuals. To be fair, you must do what's right in the eyes of all. Things like race, religion, disabilities, or physical characteristics should be virtually invisible to you.


• Be Practical with Practical Jokes: Joking and humiliating creates camaraderie....at Bachelor Parties. The workplace is no place to single someone out, whether it's a bad haircut, a terrible presentation, or a nickname you think is perfect for the individual. It's impossible to predict how sensitively a person will respond to an insult, playful or not.


• Break the Cycle: If you do find you've been particularly hard on one or more employees and not the others, consciously make a choice to break the cycle and stop the behavior. It's never too late to try to make things right, and improved relations are destined in your future.

Making Etiquette Easy, Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Curse Words

Image from The Crack Team

Bleep! A little slip here and there never seemed to kill anyone, but curse words can be the spoiler de jour in your professional life if you're not careful. Whether it's for camaraderie, out of emotion, or just a bad habit, it can really be a curse (pun intended). Here are some situations you should consider...and then add removing curse words from your vocabulary to this weeks to-do list:

• In the Office: With more than 250,000 words in the English language, exercising one of the 12 or so"dirty" words doesn't say much to compliment your intelligence, let alone get your message across with additional clarity. Not only that, but you don't know the moral DNA of every single person in your office, and your words may be not only offensive but divisive. Remember, if you're trying to effectively communicate a message, swear words distract and dilute the meaning.
  


• Via Email: Never include curse words in email content. For the same reason that you should never put anything in email that you don't want blasted to the world, curse words in emails come off as juvenile and immature. And besides, you'll never be able to revoke your misstep.
  


• On Social Media: Even if you manage to tame your tongue in the office, it doesn't give you license to go wild on the internet. Employees, potential business partners, clients, and children are able to see what you project about yourself. And while you may think it's funny, not everyone shares the same humor. The same goes people who post these words to your pages- delete them. Many people have been chastised or fired for the content on their non-professional pages.
  


• The bottom line is that there are so many differing opinions about swearing that it's best to be conservative. This way, you won't offend anyone. And chances are, you'll gain more respect for keeping things politically correct. The short of it: Button It Up Butter Cup!

Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Nosy Question Askers

Image from Associated Content

With so much personal sharing these days via Facebook and other social media sites, it can be hard to draw the line between what we are and aren't willing to share with others. And it's especially troubling when our friends, relatives or even acquaintances begin prying into our business, presuming we're ready to share our life story. So the next time someone presses your "are you kidding me?" button, remember these tips to get the conversation back to more neutral ground:

• Be Vague: If it's about the price of your new car, you can avoid the true answer by saying something like, "probably too much" or "I know, isn't it awesome?" Giving answers like this cue the nosey Nelly that you're not willing to put dollar signs on the table. If it's about something personal (i.e. the status of your relationship), you can say "things are going well" or "who knows what the future holds."


• Flip It: If the person is still digging, flip the question on them or ask them a completely different question. Would they like to go for a ride in your car? How is their relationship situation progressing? A lot of times, people are inquisitive because they'd also like to share their stories. Allowing them this pleasure can cut you some slack and get the attention off of you.


• Be Honest: Sometime people will stop at nothing for answers. If the topic is a sensitive one for you and you don't feel like opening up, let them know you've got a policy against sharing such private information. You can even let them know you've talked about it with your spouse/therapist/etc. and that you don't mean to offend them, but this is your personal space and you'd like to keep it that way.

Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Restaurant Goers

Image from Sigsiv

Many of us eat out on a fairly regular basis, if not most nights of the week. With so much frequent dining, it can be easy to forget "what your momma taught ya" when it comes to table manners. Here are a few forget-me-nots (mom will be so proud!):

• Split it upfront: If you want to have separate checks, be sure to request them upfront, before ordering any drinks or food. This will help expedite the checkout process for you and the waiter.
• When you're waiting: It's okay to order beverages before the rest of your party arrives, but not food. When a new mate joins you, be sure to notify the waiter so that they can take their drink order.
• Wait until your ready: If you haven't had a chance to look over the menu or make your final selections, don't let the waiter linger. Let them know you need some more time to decide. The social cue that you are ready to order is leaving your menu closed on the table.
• Choose your course: Remember that not everyone in the group has to order the same number of courses. It's okay to order an appetizer, even if your co-diner doesn't want to order one. However, if you're ordering an appetizer in lieu of a main course, ask that it come out with the other entrees.
• Sharing: If you decide to split a single entree (we do this often due to the large portions being served these days), be sure to bump up the tip. Remember, the waiter would've received a higher tip if you had ordered more than one meal. Also ask that they plate the food on two plates for you before bringing it to the table.
• Think before you order: If you plan on chatting away while eating, you might want to order something that is conversation-friendly. Picking apart crab claws or crawfish might make conversing more awkward... and a little messy.

Making Etiquette Easy, Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Foreign Language in the Office

Image from www.yourtravelclub.org

Thankfully, we live in a country that is welcoming to many different cultures. In America, we pride ourselves on being the proverbial "melting pot." But the language barriers still remain and with those barriers come a few new social nuances. So just what is the best way to handle an office setting with multi-lingual employees?

• Establish a uniform language in the office. This language should be used in dealing with clients and other employees (unless the bilingual person was specifically brought on to speak their native language).
• Fluent multi-lingual employees should refrain from speaking in their native language (if different from the uniform language) while in the work environment except for professional purposes, i.e. you are on the telephone with someone who does not speak the "uniform" office language.
• Two people should never share a conversation in a foreign language in front of other employees (or anyone for that matter) who do not speak that language. This causes others to be suspicious and uncomfortable that what is being said is specifically not intended for them to hear. Also, you never know who may speak the language fluently and can understand conversations meant to be concealed.
• Be sympathetic if you are on the "outside" of a conversation. If you do find yourself in the middle of a foreign conversation, try to be understanding. There's a good chance they mean no harm and are simply enjoying practicing their native language.