As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S., let's take a few steps to make sure we can genuinely give thanks for our loved ones gathered around the table — instead of counting the minutes until they go home!
Avoid drama. Save talk about politics, religion, and money for another day (or never, if you expect some major arguments).
Unplug. Keep phones and other electronic devices tucked away, and especially off the table.
Go outside, if you can. Playtime outdoors is just the thing for children needing to blow off steam, and adults will appreciate a post-meal, pre-nap walk around the block.
For basic table manners, remember THANKS:
T: Treat everyone with respect
H: Hands in your lap when you aren't eating
A: Ask to be excused
N: Napkin in your lap at the beginning of the meal
K: Knife on the right
S: Spoon on the right
Happy Thanksgiving!
We've already talked about Training Week before - how much we love it, how much we love introducing them to both our students in Athens and those at the Ron Clark Academy,
how we always welcome more etiquette consultants to train with us.
So let's just post some fantastic pictures of our super fun week! (Warning: this happened near Halloween, so expect some costumes mixed in...more than the usual!)
It's time.
Election seasons are rough. Even if you're not a a politically-minded person, it's likely that something made your blood pressure rise over the past few weeks. Maybe a loved one isn't voting the same way as you. Maybe you've seen one too many vitriolic posts on Facebook. Maybe you're more than ready to move on, talk about other things, leave this behind.
More than ever, let's practice the common courtesy we should extend to other people any day of the year. Stay pleasant, patient and kind at the polls, even when facing long lines and loudly opinionated fellow voters. Those election workers are volunteering their time and will be there long after you, so smile and thank them for their efforts.
And outside the voting booth? Try to remember that you can still love and respect someone who views the world differently, and the world will be a better place for it.
Now - go vote!
