Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!

Chances are, many of you are ringing in the New Year with a Bowl Game. But - horrors - what if, heaven forbid, you are watching the game with fans of the opposing team?

Most of us can laugh off good-natured ribbing, but hardcore fans might have a hard time watching their beloved team bad-mouthed by the person sitting next to them on the couch.

What to do?

Millie Chastain - owner of the Protocol School of Alabama, certified and trained by the Protocol School of Washington, and a colleague of ours here at The Etiquette & Leadership Institute - was interviewed by College Sports Matchup on this very subject. You can read the article here.

We love her words of wisdom. She mentions how easy it is to brag when your team is winning, but that it's important "to know that sportsmanship should always win out.”

In other words, if you are sitting around in a room full of people watching a game, pause a moment. Look around you. Remember why you are hanging out: you're friends. Friends with diverse opinions on all sorts of things - politics, food, movies, music, and yes, even sports. Then look at the TV screen and marvel at the displays of athleticism. Isn't that cool? Celebrate the spectacle, the snacks on the coffee table, the fun and laughter surrounding you. Sometimes it's not about who wins or loses - it's about hanging out and having fun, two important things worth celebrating.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2011!

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