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Saturday, December 12, 2015

P’s and Q’s and Peas By Yvonne

It’s always good to have a little something to munch on when you’re drinking.  We will see many a nut dish during the holidays, and most of us will dig in. Not so fast.

Call me a germophobe, but I really would rather not dig in with my hands and spread or share holiday cheer germs. Also, the optics don’t look good. Nothing lacks elegance more than a hand grabbing a bunch of Goldfish, assorted nuts, Wasabi peas, and other grabbables. A spoon should always be provided.

Here's what not to do.

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 8:27 AM 0 comments Labels: allergies, bar nuts, cocktail hour, cocktail reception, Goldfish, Happy Hour, holiday parties, hors'doeurves, hostessing, hosts tips, manners for guests, nibbles, nut bowls, peanuts, wasabi peas

Thursday, October 29, 2015


People you like, do it. People you don’t like, definitely do it.  I don’t. But maybe you do it, too.  You ball up your cocktail napkin and leave it on the nearest surface. It could be a granite top, fine teak, oak or mahogany – it doesn’t matter. Litterbugs don’t care.  It’s not their party, but they'll do what they want to. How would you like to be the one who has to pick up that ball of mess?  Were you just too busy to tear yourself away from cocktail chatter to find a receptacle for it?  Apparently, that was the case the other night at a wonderful book party in a beautiful apartment.

Never hand your used cocktail napkin to a staff member without wrapping it in a clean napkin.  If there’s no one to hand it to, find a place to put it in, trash cans are usually found in the kitchen or bathroom.  A host shouldn’t have to tell his/her guests what to do with a cocktail napkin. A good guest should know better. Cheers!

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 10:40 AM 2 comments Labels: bartenders, book party, canapes, cleaning help, cocktail hour, cocktail napkins, cocktail reception, hors'doeurves, liquids, paper napkins, receptacles, servers, trash, wait staff, waste bin

Saturday, October 10, 2015


There's a whole lot of hair flying around these days and it's not mine.

I never had much hair to flip and when I tried, I almost suffered whiplash. There is nothing more annoying than someone’s hair flying around in a public space, like on a bus. The woman in front of you is totally oblivious of her dander (okay, dandruff, but she got my dander up) going all over the place along with a strand or two. Recently, I sat near someone who did a scratch and flip. I tapped her on the shoulder and said, “I’m getting some of your hair in my face.” She apologized and stopped.
That was easy.

Grooming so that you can be presentable in public, shouldn’t be performed in public.

What do you think?

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 11:25 AM 0 comments Labels: brushes, combs, dandruff, dry hair, flaky scalp, flipping hair, hair brushing, hair combing, hair manners, haircuts, scalp, split ends, tresses, weaves

Sunday, September 27, 2015 From what I gathered, someone was about to get their feelings hurt. My fellow elevator passenger, a neighbor (we don’t know each other) was advising that they keep the ring until they’re sure.  Something about me must’ve seemed trustworthy as she proceeded to put someone’s business out on the street in an elevator. Beware, you never know who’s on the elevator with you, she could be an etiquette blogger!

I couldn’t figure out who was on the other end or how upset they were.  That’s the problem with halfersations; you’ll never get the whole story, she went on and on with her half.  She didn’t even bother to whisper an apology.  If you have to take a call, keep it brief and let the caller know you’re on an elevator. To continue a conversation while others are on an elevator is a downright diss to them - they don't matter.

Chatty Cathy remained on the elevator and continued to advise the ring bearer. I'll never know the outcome and I don't care.  All I do know, she is one rude neighbor.

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 12:52 PM 0 comments Labels: advice, Chatty Cathy, elevators, engagement rings, engagements, gossip, iPhones, neighbors, phone calls, privacy, privat conversations, rude neighbors, yenta

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Mind If I Don't Mind My Manners? By Yvonne

What happened to the civilized world while we were on sabbatical?  Such horrors!

A wonderful dip being assaulted by shameless double dipping!

Men and women becoming motionless doormen as they block exit doors on buses and look at you funny when you say, “Excuse me." The nerve!

A woman sitting in the window of a sandwich shop, flossing her teeth!

Younger men looking at their feet as elderly women and men stand on their feet!

The list goes on and on. Pictured, a young woman, so tuckered out from her weekend, decided to make herself at home (no doubt, in her home it was fine to put your feet on the furniture with shoes on) on a crowded train.  When the conductor asked her to sit up, it didn’t occur to her to wipe off the seat for a fellow passenger.

Have you seen any good or bad manners recently?  Do tell.

To respond just click on comment and post anonymously.

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 8:15 PM 1 comments Labels: dental hygiene, double dipping, mind your manners, MTA etiquette, passengers, pink shoe laces, seats, shoes on furniture, trains, travel etiquette

Saturday, August 15, 2015 We were on sabbatical and then the summer came along.  Mind your manners until we come back in the fall, when we will attempt to mine them for you.

Quick Tips:



Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 12:45 PM 0 comments Labels: cottages, dinner time, etiquette, Hamptons, host gifts, hostessing, house guests, lunching, Monte's ham, sabbatical, summer break, swimming, vacation

Friday, May 15, 2015

When Your Lunch Becomes Rude By Yvonne

Last week, at a doctor’s office, the receptionist greeted me looking suspiciously like a cow. She appeared to be chewing on something and then commenced to clean her lunch away in her mouth with her tongue and making noises clearing food between her teeth all the while asking me questions.  It seems to be a common habit in small shops – the lone salesperson serving customers and polishing off lunch at the same time.

This awful, rude practice must stop immediately. A cow would never think of imitating you.

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 2:16 PM 2 comments Labels: boutiques, chewing cud, dining, fast food, flossing, flossing in public, food, lunch breaks, lunch time, office lunch, public eating, receptionists, sales help, sandwiches, toothpicks in public

Tuesday, April 28, 2015


On April 21st, I wrote a post on applause from the point of view of an audience member. This week, a dancer is gives his thoughts on the subject.  I promised him that I wouldn’t reveal his name.  All I can divulge is that he’s one of the finest dancers in the world and has been a principal dancer at two of the leading ballet companies in the world.

Do you think any time is the right time for applause?

I think that if someone wants to applaud because they are moved or excited, they should.  Although sometimes it can get out of hand and in the past I have wondered if a triple pirouette really moved someone so much they had to applaud.  I don't want to tamper anyone's enthusiasm for the art form, but frequent outbursts can distract from the overall performance.  I tend to think if something is extraordinary then go for it, if not save it for when they finish so everyone in the audience can appreciate their performance in a complete and full form. Has clapping ever affected your performance?

Audience clapping can have a dual affect.  It can take you out of your concentration, or it can bolster your performance even more.  As a performer, we crave to make the audience excited, or have them feel an emotion, essentially to take them to another place in their mind.  Sometimes this comes out as applause, and when it's right it can be amazing to feel the audience participation.

What kind of audience to you consider ideal?

I have performed all over the world.  Each audience is different.  In addition, an audience is made up of many people from unique backgrounds, so it's very difficult to say what an ideal audience is because appreciation is shown in many different ways.  In general, an appreciative, enthusiastic audience is ideal.  Like sports, not everyone is a season ticket holder who comes to the ballet every night.  However, if the audience gets invested in the art on stage, and acquires some new knowledge and appreciation, and reflects that in their response, then that is my ideal audience.

Posted by Yvonne&Yvettetiquette at 11:53 AM 0 comments Labels: American Ballet Theater, applause, ballet, Bravo!, cheering, clapping, male dancers, manner for audience, New York City Ballet, performance, pirouettes, principle dancers, season ticket holders, standing ovation

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 

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