The Perfect Guest Rule # 14
Rule:A guest should pick up his or her dirty clothes and keep them with his or her other things. Reason:: No one wants to pick up after a guest, and no one wants to stumble over someone else’s mess. Application:Carry a plastic or paper bag with you on the visit to put your soiled clothes in. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 13
Rule:A guest should always be neat and keep his or her things together. Reason:A guest wants to be remembered for neatness and helpfulness more than for careless disregard. Application:Carry your toiletries with you to the bathroom. Before you leave the bathroom, pick up your towel, rinse the sink, flush the toilet, and return your personal things to your suitcase. Don’t leave them spread out in disarray over the bathroom counter. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 12
Rule:A guest should treat the possessions of the family with respect and care. Reason:A guest should be grateful enough for the invitation that he or she makes every effort to safeguard the family possessions. Application:Think how you would feel if your friend came to your house and destroyed your new game. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 11
Rule:At meals, a guest should taste everything without commenting about the taste unless the food is good. Reason:The parent hosts have probably gone to a lot of trouble preparing the meal. Saying, “I hate broccoli” will offend the cook. Application:Teach your children to try a little of everything. They may find they like something after all. They can take a very small bite and wash it down with milk if they don’t like the taste. There is no etiquette rule that says we have to clean our plates. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 10
Rule:A guest may ask for a snack if it is not too close to dinner or if the resident child has not already asked and been refused. Reason:The parent hosts would not want a guest to be uncomfortable. They have no way of knowing a guest might be hungry unless the guest tells them. Application:Simply go to the mom or the dad or the adult in charge and say, “May I please have a little something to eat to hold me until dinner.” Then gratefully accept whatever is offered. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 9
Rule:A guest should be agreeable (if possible) to the activities planned by the host or the host’s family. Reason:If the special needs of a guest were communicated before the visit, the family will not likely plan unreasonable activities. Application:Be agreeable and cooperative as you enter into whatever games or activities offered. If it is something new to you, you might be pleasantly surprised and have fun learning something new. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 8
Rule:The guest must obey the rules of the house even if the resident child does not. Reason:It is the respectful and appreciative thing to do. Application:If the resident child must help with the cleanup after dinner, let it be known that you are ready and eager to help. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 7
Rule:Upon arrival a guest should say hello to the friend’s parents and any other family members present. Reason:Any visitor is a guest of the entire family, not just the friend of the child who extended the invited. Application:Greet the parents and family members with a smile. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 6
Rule:If you are a guest and have allergies or phobias, you may discreetly tell the hostess or have the two moms discuss it. Reason:The host family will not want you to suffer in silence nor get upset because they did not know you could not swim or that you were afraid of heights. Application:It’s nice if the host or hostess asks about special needs when the invitation is extended or soon thereafter but if they do not, it is the guest’s responsibility to communicate any special diets or allergies. As a guest you must carry your own medications, breathing apparatuses, special clothing, or whatever you need. It’s important to remember that as a guest you want to be as little trouble as possible. Simply having a dislike for spinach is not a reason to expect your own private vegetable. You probably hope to get a return invitation at a later date. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 5
Rule:Any overnight guest should take a small, inexpensive gift to the hostess unless the two friends exchange overnight invitations on a regular basis – such as a school chum. Reason:Besides being a tried and true tradition, taking a gift is simply a nice gesture because the host family may spend time and perhaps some expense to entertain their guest. Application:For a small gift, a food item or a non-permanent one makes a good choice. You do not want to take something decorative that might not go well with the furnishings of the house or the tastes of the hostess. The item must not be a personal one such as bath powder or cologne for the hostess. The guest’s mom might like to send a treat she has baked. Another nice gift would be a scented candle in vanilla or another “generic” flavor. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 4
Rule:A guest should always be prepared to participate in whatever activities your host has planned. Reason:When a guest is agreeable and cooperative, everyone has more fun. Application:When the invitation is extended, your host should tell you a little of the plans so that you can come prepared, but it is all right to ask if there is anything special you will need to bring for any planned activities such as going to the beach or sledding. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 3
Rule:For a sleepover, a guest should take toilet articles and any other personal items he or she might need. Reason:So that it will not be necessary to borrow from the hosts. Application:At any age it is a good idea to have your own personal bag or suitcase or satchel for carrying your overnight needs. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 2
Rule:To be a welcome guest, a child must know what is expected of him or her by the hosts. Reason:Making a list will call to mind things to do and not to do that you and your children might not otherwise remember. Application:Depending on the age of your children and their preferences, make a good-guest manners list on the computer, letting all the children in the family participate or simply discuss good-guest manners while traveling in the car. A child who can make a list either verbally or in written form will have a good handle on being an honored guest. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
The Perfect Guest Rule # 1
Rule:For a child to be an oft’-invited guest whether for a brief visit or an overnight stay, he or she must be well-mannered. Reason:When a child can exercise a certain amount of self-control, he or she will be more agreeable, more courteous, and more fun to have around. Application:Think back as a parent to a time you had guests (children or adults) when you couldn’t wait for them to leave, and you will quickly realize the importance of helping your child learn how to be a welcome guest. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 34
Rule:It is important to speak clearly on the telephone. Reason:The person on the other end cannot see our face to read our lips. Application:Try to eliminate such phrases as Whadaya want? and Whoozit. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 33
Rule:Families should have a central place to leave messages. Reason:All messages are important to the intended recipient. Application:Choose a place in the house, perhaps, the kitchen where everyone passes when they arrive home. Identifying one special place for messages can prevent a lot of grief for everyone. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 32
Rule:When taking a message over the phone for someone, you should write down the information accurately and place it in a prominent place. Reason:Messages that sometimes seem trivial to one member of the family may be very important to another. Application:Practice with your child to teach how to write a proper message: name, number, time and date, and short message. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 31
Rule:When children are nine or ten, they are usually able to call a place of business for information. Reason:They can write information down as they receive it over the phone. Application:Help your child place a call and ask for specific information. For example, your child wants a new pair of skates. Have him or her call the store to ask if the appropriate brand and size of skates are available there. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 30
Rule:When children are about five or six they can usually answer the telephone and take a message. Reason:Their cognitive skills have usually developed enough to repeat the words of the caller. Application:To practice with your child, tell your child and the other adult that you will call home, speak to your child, and leave a message with him or her. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 29
Rule:In case of emergency when your cell phone must be “on,” put it on vibrate, sit near the entrance to your row of seats, and sit near an exit in order to make a hasty departure when your phone rings or reverberates. Reason:Courtesy: Your “emergency” should not invade others’ tranquil enjoyment of a performance, service, or dining experience. Application:Notice how annoyed you become when other people answer their cell phones in your presence. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 28
Rule:Use discretion when using your cell phone. Make “private” conversations brief when you are in the presence of others. Reason:A cell phone can be a life-saving invention, but it can also be an annoyance. There are over 80,000,000 cell phones in use today. The people we are with should command our attention, unless there is an emergency. Application:Set your cell phone to vibrate when you are in a public place such as a restaurant. Have incoming messages recorded for you to answer later. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 27
Rule:If you expect a telephone call you must take, tell the person when you make a call or receive one. Reason:By telling the other person ahead of time, you alert them to a possible interruption. Application:When making a call or receiving a call waiting, politely tell the other person that you are expecting an important call, perhaps from a doctor. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 26
Rule:With call-waiting, if you get a call that is urgent, go back to the first caller long enough to explain that you must take the second call and that you will call the first caller back as soon as you can. Reason:Whatever the cause for the emergency. Application:Ask the first caller to please excuse you because of an emergency. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 25
Rule:With call waiting, you should tell the second caller that you are on the other line with someone. Ask if you may call him or her back when you finish the first call. Say goodbye and return quickly to the first caller. Reason:Respect for the first caller. Application:Call-waiting is a convenience, but we shouldn’t always impose on first callers by answering it. You may choose to answer it or continue giving your complete attention to the first caller. Realize how inconvenienced you felt the last time you called a friend and were repeatedly interrupted by call waiting for long periods of time. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Telephone and Cell Phone Etiquette Rule # 24
Rule:When you are on the phone and you hear the call-waiting beep, ask the present caller if he or she can hold for you to answer the other ring. Wait for an answer. Reason:The first caller may not wish to be put on hold. Application:Take the time to be polite to both callers. One does not know about the other unless you tell him or her. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
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