Episode 540 - Casual Party Dress Code
Your Awesome Etiquette podcast episode for the week. Plus, the weekly etiquette challenge, Monday joke, and an etiquette extra on consideration
On today’s show, we take your questions on a casual party dress code, discussing politics over the holidays, and how to handle holiday cards when your family has multiple last names. For Community Members, this week’s bonus question is about a restaurant blunder in a small town scene. Plus, your weekly challenge, etiquette salute, and postscript segment where we consider consideration.
Etiquette Extra - Consideration
“Consideration for the rights and feelings of others is not merely a rule for behavior in public but the very foundation upon which social life is built.” - Emily Post, Etiquette, 1st edition.
This week’s Awesome Etiquette postscript segment is a discussion of consideration as we apply it to the world of etiquette and human behavior. From the start of her work on the topic, Emily Post identified the importance of consideration. There can be no confusion about the fact that our behavior is improved by thinking about the people around us and how we may impact them. To completely geek out, we wanted to share the Oxford Language’s definition of consideration.
con·sid·er·a·tion
/kənˌsidərˈāSHən/
noun: consideration
careful thought, typically over a period of time.
"a long process involving a great deal of careful consideration"
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Weekly Awesome Etiquette Challenge
This week’s challenge is to use your mobile device to remind you to connect with others in the moment. The next time your device rings, chimes, alerts, dings, or vibrates. Before you answer, scroll, or text - take 2-3 seconds to notice (or consider) the people around you. Not necessarily whether your call will bother them but in particular, notice their face(s) and their reaction to noticing your notification. This small moment of awareness flexes your empathy muscle. Think of it as an empathy push-up. This week, let your device notifications be a reminder to connect with the people around you, not to depart the moment automatically.
Our thoughts are with everyone in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. We know from experience dealing with extreme weather in our Vermont communities that the support of friends, families, and neighbors can make all the difference in the face of overwhelming hardship. If you are interested in offering direct support, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles is a well-vetted place to start.
As always, take care, we’re wishing you the best.
See you on Thursday,
Daniel and Lizzie
Happy Monday Joke
“What do you call an elephant that doesn't matter?”
"An irrelephant.”