Greetings, Traveler Weekly Readers!
I’m Sherry Gordon-Harris, Certified Etiquette Consultant, owner, and instructor of Royal Purpose School of Etiquette. Our purpose is to assist with the Total Refinement of You, including children and adults, by offering classes and workshops on Etiquette and proper Manners.
As we learned in the previous articles, Etiquette is the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. Manners are a person’s outward bearing or way of behaving toward others. It’s a way in which a thing is done or happens. In general, Etiquette is simply respecting others and not causing an offense to others.
December is a month when many people around the world celebrate and give gifts. Several holidays occur during the winter months across multiple cultures. While there may be different rules of gift-giving in different cultures, there are some that are common.
Regardless of the culture, always remember to take the price tag off the gifts. It is not good taste to leave them on. When the thought of the gift is most important, it is inappropriate to show how much was spent on a present. If it is a case of possible duplication or the wrong size, then include a gift receipt if someone chooses to return or exchange the item.
Some families or groups draw names for group gift-giving. In this case, sometimes a price or value range can be given so that no one feels slighted if the gift they give is expensive and the gift they receive is very inexpensive. For this type of gift-giving, it is expected that the gift is new and within the price or value range. This helps better ensure gift equality. And no one has to feel uncomfortable, obligated, or pressured to purchase an expensive gift when their budget may not be as expansive as another person’s. But still, remove the price tag. The tag is not necessary to prove how much was spent. It is inappropriate to indicate this. Your honesty is of supreme importance.
If you are the receiver of a gift, always accept the gift with a smile and gratefulness. Be both a cheerful giver and a cheerful receiver.
Our hope is that these articles are helping you to learn additional Proper Politesse.
Once again, it has been my pleasure sharing this Etiquette tip with the Traveler Weekly Readers. There’s more to come. Well wishes to you and your family. I encourage everyone to “Live your life with Purpose in a Royal Manner.”
If you, your family, or group want to learn Etiquette for the first time or just want to brush up on your skills, consider enrolling in a scheduled class or book a private class with Royal Purpose School of Etiquette LLC. We are now offering Pageant Coaching Services specifically for those in pageants and other competitions. We can help with the Total Refinement of You.
Contact Mrs. Sherry Gordon-Harris at (309) 585-6145 or e-mail RoyalPurposeSOE@gmail.com or visit http://www.RoyalPurposeSOE.com.
Thank you.
The Traveler Weekly 