Hi, my name is Randy Hill and I am just one of thousands of people around the world, tired and frustrated with the lack of consideration that is displayed by a growing "demographic" that I call, "the great unwashed and ill-mannered." People who can't seem to get outside their little world long enough to see the stress that they create on the rest of the population.
Take my advice; I didn’t.
By Randy | August 18, 2008
Took a trip to the Oregon coast this past weekend along with the rest of Oregon. Bumper to bumper…tempers flaring; brake lights as far as the eye can see.
Every few miles on this two lane highway that thousands of people are expected to use to head to the coast on, you will come across a passing lane that lasts for a mile or two. This is where everyone tries to outrace the other to get into the lead. Sadly, I did the same thing. I even felt a twinge or two of road rage.
What is it about human nature that you feel like you have to beat the other guy? It must be primal, because it welled up inside of me in a matter of seconds.
Remember, it’s not a race. The real goal is to arrive alive and safe. Stifle the urge to beat the other guy.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places | No Comments »
Operation Nice
By Randy | August 1, 2008
Here’s a new blog that I think you will find very - nice! A friend of mine started the blog and I think it’s one blog that “needed doin.” Thanks, Mel!
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Gift Giving and Receiving, Tipping, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Waiter leaves dining tips
By Randy | July 31, 2008
I read an interesting little article in USAToday at lunch this afternoon. Steve Dublanica has written a new book titled,Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip — Confessions of a Cynical Waiter (Ecco, $24.95) Here’s a choice little excerpt:
Q. In the decade you’ve waited tables, have customers become ruder?
A. People’s social graces are diminishing somewhat. Civility is down.
Q. What are the five worst customer sins?
A. Not being polite — your basic please and thank you. Tipping less than 15%. Grabbing the waiter. Ordering things not on the menu. And saying, “I’m friends with the owner.”
Read the rest of the interview here.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Tipping | No Comments »
Beijingers advised to clean up their manners.
By Randy | July 20, 2008
In preparation for the Beijing Olympics, Beijingers have been given the word: clean up your manners. Excerpts from the official pamphlet lay it on the line:
“In conversation, wear a smile, don’t stare too long or do anything to make people feel ill at ease,” it says.
“Before you help [a disabled person], first of all get their agreement and co-operation. Absolutely do not use force or be too enthusiastic.”
It also warn citizens not to yawn, pick their nose, scratch their heads, pick their fingernails or pull at their clothes.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Low blow.
By Randy | July 14, 2008
Is there nothing lower than attacking a handicapped person over a parking space? I think not:
Vancouver police have arrested two men they suspect of attacking a woman who used a prosthetic leg in a dispute over a disabled parking spot.
The suspects, 41 and 34, allegedly slammed the woman’s car door on her leg when she confronted them for parking in a handicap stall.
The incident happened on Canada Day outside a London Drugs in Vancouver’s West End, where the men were recorded earlier by a video camera while they shopped.
Police tracked them down from identification they used while shopping, Const. Jana McGuiness said.
Charges of assault with a weapon are pending against the 41-year-old suspect, said McGuiness. Both men are known to police, she said.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thank you. Thank you very much.
By Randy | July 7, 2008
I went to a restaurant in Salem the other night. A group of people (four or five) were right behind me. I opened the door and held it open so they could enter first (being the southern gentleman that I am). Guess what? Not a single thank you was uttered from any of their carpetbagging mouths.
This happens a lot around these parts. Is it just Oregon or do other places have the same aggravation?
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Roar of the crowd
By Randy | June 30, 2008
My wife and I went out to dinner at a small Thai restaurant the other night. There was a group of about 10 people sitting near our table. You would expect some conversational noise in this kind of situation, but this was ridiculous. There were at least five simultaneous conversations going on at one time. And they were loud.
Any hope that my wife and I had about having a peaceful meal together was dashed.
If you are in a large group of people, try to be aware of the volume that a group like that can produce.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Loud Talking | No Comments »
Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game
By Randy | June 25, 2008
Helping preschoolers learn about social skills just got a little bit easier and a lot more fun!
It’s hard to have a perfect picnic party when ants keep trying to steal your food! Just say “please” and “thank you” to send those pesky ants packing and collect all the items that will make the picnic a success.
Book for storytime!
Rachel refuses to use manners at the picnic with her friends. Read the book to see what happens when he big wish comes true and ends up making her feel “small.”
Audio CD for anytime!
Play the CD to get kids laughing, singing and sharing with a story and silly songs from NOODLEBORO’s all-kid radio station!
For ages 4 and up. 2-3 players.
Topics: Products | No Comments »
Texas Etiquette
By Randy | June 18, 2008
Here’s some Texas etiquette for all you native Texans out there (me included) or Texan wannabee’s.
Men will always tip his hat or touch two fingers to the brim when he meets a lady on the street.
No Texan will ever make fun of another Texan’s hat no matter how dirty or bent up it is.
Children are taught to say “Ma’am” and “Sir” to anyone older and are generally corrected if they have a moment of brain freeze. This habit continues well into adulthood.
Texans mostly respect other driver’s need to hurry, even if they don’t feel the need to be, and will most likely pull onto the shoulder of a two-lane road so they can pass. But, we do expect a wave of the hand to say “thank you” as you zoom by!
You best not go over a rancher’s fence without his permission no matter how many points that buck has. This is considered trespassing and property lines are just not violated in Texas. If you decide to take your chances, then be prepared to explain in the emergency room how you got buckshot in your rear. Of course they will probably know anyway. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about those Texas bulls who may decide you just shouldn’t be there either!
There are certain rules to carrying on a conversation with a Texan that are just plain good manners. You never discuss anything, especially business, without first asking about the family, how they’ve been feeling and what they think about the weather. Yankees seem to get impatient with these preliminaries but this is just the way it is.
John Wayne, may he rest in peace, rarely removed his hat in the movies when he entered a house or a cafe. If ladies are present, it is a must that the hat be removed. And a lady is lady until she proves differently.
Texans always compliment a good cook by asking for “seconds” or the very least, the recipe.
A Texan always knows when to back down when something from another state is better. For instance, a Texan knows that the best and hottest hot sauce comes from our cousin state of Louisiana!
A Texan will always honk his horn when he’s leaving someone’s house and then always calls to let them know they made it home safely.
Lastly, the most important mannerly act taught to young Texans is to never ask a man where he’s from. If he’s from Texas, he’ll tell you. If he isn’t, don’t embarrass him!
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Obivious etiquette tip #2,348. Don’t talk on your cell phone during a meal out.
By Randy | June 11, 2008
The couple were sitting in the restaurant a few tables over from us. The husband/boyfriend/significant other was talking on this cell phone, which, by the way, is rude in itself. The wife/girlfriend/significant other was blankly staring out the window at nothing in particular. This went on for the entire meal.
The couple’s future certainly doesn’t bode well given the lack of interest displayed by the person on the phone for his companion. How totally clueless do you have to be, to talk on the phone while the person across from you sits by helplessly? It shows a complete lack of respect for the person you are with by not letting the call go to voice mail or if you are the one doing the calling - delay the call until after the meal. Unless it’s a life and death emergency, no call is that important.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »