TresSugar

6 Places You Should Fight the Urge to Use Your Cell

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:34:33 PST

A new survey says that 75 percent of Americans use their smartphone while on the toilet. No wonder 16 percent of cell phones have poop on them. Gross. Not only is talking, texting, or web surfing on the John a disgusting habit that encourages the spreading of germs and bacteria, but it can also cause awkward moments for others around you. But the loo isn't the only place you should consider a tech-free zone. Check out the list below for five other locations you should keep your phone under wraps and on silent.

At the movies - We all paid to get into the theater, so please keep your cell phone on silent and don't answer it if it rings; you'll be ruining the experience for the rest of us!
At the gym - Talking on your cell at the gym is a no-no according to FitSugar, and I'd have to agree. Getting distracted and walking away from equipment slows the rest of the gym-goers down, and no one really needs to hear you go into detail about last night's date, your annoying coworker, or your mother-in-law's upcoming visit while we're trying to run.
At the dinner table - If you've gone out of your way to meet with friends, family, or heck, even a date over dinner, the least you can do is keep your cell phone off the table. Placing your phone next to your plate just makes it seem like you're waiting for someone to call, or worse, looking for something better to do.
Behind the wheel - This one seems obvious, but 56 percent of people have seen someone use their mobile phone behind the wheel. Even scarier? Almost 25 percent of Americans have seen someone using a laptop behind the wheel.
In the bedroom - This is a no-brainer, right? Maybe not. A 2010 study showed that 10 percent of people would check texts during sex. Are we so preoccupied with staying connected that we can't even enjoy a little unplugged "business time"!?

6 Digital Etiquette Tips For 2012

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:30:55 PST

There's still time to break the bad habits of 2011 and kick off the year with a fresh take on the tech etiquette that may be driving your co-workers crazy and even have consequences to your health. Be a considerate digital user in 2012 by breaking these six technology habits.

Walking or driving while texting - we've seen the ad campaigns warning against distracted driving, but it seems every time we're on the highway, we pass a driver glancing at their phones instead of the road. The same goes for the busy city street pavements you pound during lunch for exercise. If you're texting or otherwise fiddling with your phone while walking, not only are you likely to be walking slow and annoying other pedestrians, your distracted movements may keep you from seeing an upcoming intersection, a clear recipe for disaster. Put the phone away for a few minutes and take in the scenery of the street.
Loud cell phone chats on the bus - the commute to and from work is rarely the highlight of an average day, but we're all in this together. Be kind to the other passengers and leave the loud stories of last night's date or the boss's attitude for when you get home.
TMI overload - your friends love keeping up with your life adventures via Facebook and Twitter, really they do! It's junior's potty adventures or how takeout leftovers made you feel today that gets people hovering their cursor over the Unsubscribe button. Play it safe and avoid talk of bodily functions on social networks.

See the rest of the tech etiquette tips to keep in mind for 2012 after the jump.

Office Etiquette: Going Out to Lunch

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:00:23 PST

If you regularly go out to eat during your lunch hour, there are some basic dos and don'ts that you should keep in mind. We've already covered the etiquette basics for bringing your lunch to work, but if you prefer buying your lunch to packing it, stay professional and mind your manners by following these tips.

Communicate your whereabouts. When you plan to leave the office for lunch, let your co-workers know how long you'll be gone - especially those who report to you. Leave a note on your desk or update your IM status to keep your officemates in the loop.
Steer clear of cliques. Lunch dates are a great way to build friendly relationships with your co-workers, but don't be exclusive with the invites. Try to include different people - even those in other departments - to avoid playing favorites. Even better? Ask the new girl to join to help her feel welcome.
Stick to nearby neighborhoods. There's no need to travel across town for your midday meal, so stay close to your office when you decide to dine out. Tired of eating the same foods each week? Take the time to do some research and make a list of nearby places you'd like to try, then ask your co-workers to contribute their favorites.
Keep your eyes on the clock. Just because it's called a lunch hour doesn't mean you should take a full 60 minutes to finish your meal. Check your watch frequently to stay on schedule, or set an alarm to let you know when it's time to head back to the office.

Office Etiquette: Bringing Your Lunch to Work

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:51:14 PST

Taking your lunch to work is a healthy, cost-friendly habit, but if you decide to eat in the office, you should keep your co-workers in mind and practice proper manners. Here are four things to consider if you like to dine at your desk.

Not everyone shares the same taste. Some of the most delicious foods can have less-than-appealing smells, so be conscientious and save the strong-scented dishes for dinnertime. You'll avoid upsetting your co-workers and keep your breath conversation-ready.
Use your usual manners. It's important that your midday meals don't distract your office-mates, so stick to the table etiquette you learned as a child. Don't slurp, don't chew with your mouth open, and keep things neat to avoid spilling on your work or keyboard.
Bring your own silverware. Even if your office keeps a stash of plastic silverware in the kitchen, bring your own to avoid unnecessary waste. Stay eco-friendly by packing washable silverware with your lunch.
Eat and move on. Try not to linger with your lunch. You don't need to rush your meal, but it shouldn't be an all-afternoon affair, either. Allow yourself a reasonable amount of time to eat, then clear your desk and get back to work.
Respect the refrigerator real estate. You're one of several employees, so there's no need to take up an entire shelf with your favorite foods. Remember to clean up after yourself and regularly remove your leftovers from the office fridge. Follow the standard waste processes, too, and recycle when appropriate.

On Party Etiquette: Is It OK to Bring Cake to a Restaurant?

Susannah Chen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:15:12 PST

Let's face it: dining out is a totally subjective experience, and I've often wished there were hard and fast rules in place for issues like splitting the bill or whether coat checks should be mandatory. The question du jour? Whether it's OK to bring a birthday cake to a restaurant.I've just turned 30, and I'm celebrating by having dinner with a dozen friends at a small, family-owned ethnic restaurant. It feels apropos to have a cake for the occasion, but since the event takes place at a restaurant, I worry that the whole cake-and-candles thing could not only be disruptive, but also put a strain on the restaurant.

Guidelines on birthday cake etiquette seem to vary. Some restaurants are happy to do it; some request a call ahead; many other high-end establishments charge an (often pricey) cake-cutting fee. Still, others think it's a practice that should be cut out entirely. "I'm always baffled by people bringing their own cake. Do you bring your own steak?" one commenter asked rhetorically on a discussion board about the topic.

I want to hear what you think: if a restaurant doesn't focus on dessert, is it OK to bring your own birthday cake, candles, and lighter to dinner? What do you think of a per-person plating fee? Please weigh in below.

7 Tips For Being the Best Gift Giver

Colleen Barrett — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:46:41 PST

Like most things, all you need to know to be an amazing gift giver can be found in the words of 30 Rock's Jack Donaghy. "Gift giving is the purest expression of friendship," he tells Liz Lemon. "I'm going to think about what I know and like about you and that will lead me to the perfect gift. And you do the same."

The problem is we don't always know the people we're buying gifts for as much as we'd like, so I've rounded up some advice that will make you the best gift giver under the tree. After all, competition is what the holidays are all about.
Get the tips below.

Group Therapy: Thank-You Notes For Returned Wedding Gifts

Tres Community — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 03:05:16 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I am getting married today (pray the hurricane doesn't hit us!), and I already know that my fiancé and I will be returning many gifts. We're flying out tomorrow morning (again, praying about that hurricane), and we just don't have room in our luggage or money to ship it all. How should I do the thank-you notes? Should I just thank the person for their thoughtfulness, and not mention that the gift was returned? Or should I let them know that we regrettably couldn't take much with us and therefore returned the gift(s)? I'm not good at etiquette at all, so I need some advice!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Detox Your Tech Life: 5 Tips For a Digital Diet

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:09:22 PDT

If admitting that you're addicted to your social networks isn't enough, a new book by technology reporter Daniel Sieberg called The Digital Diet ($10), wants you to admit and remedy your tech addiction (you know you have one). While technology is becoming completely integrated into our modern lifestyles, it's not always good to block out the world around you while you tweet, post to Facebook, watch movies, and check emails. Daniel Sieberg offered up some handy tips on how to break your tech addiction from his book, which you can check out below!

Avoid tech turds - One of our own favorite tech etiquette tips says that, as a rule of thumb, you shouldn't leave your phone out on the table. Daniel Sieberg has a more colorful way of saying it, calling these situations "tech turds": "Don't just dump your smart phone on the table at a restaurant or at home. Keep it in your pocket or purse unless it’s critical to have it out. If you must have it out, acknowledge its presence and inform your companions that you’ll check it only in an emergency. It’s a courtesy that you’d appreciate, too."

See more after the break.

5 Tech Etiquette Slip-Ups to Avoid

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:46:00 PDT

It's easy to forget basic tech etiquette when we're busy catching up on emails, phone calls, projects, and deadlines, but be sure to check yourself before you wreck yourself in the etiquette department by following these five rules every day.

Walking or driving while texting - Not only is texting while driving illegal in most states, texting while walking is just as dangerous to you and innocent walkers around you. If you must send a text while you're on foot, pull it over to the edge of the sidewalk and wait until you click "send" to keep moving. It'll save you time, embarrassment, and possible medical bills if you happen to slip, trip, or fall down on uneven pavement.
Using your cell in the bathroom - Chitchatting while on the toilet has been labeled rude, gross, and unnecessary by our readers, and it's just plain uncomfortable to have to listen to someone's conversation. Save the calls for the halls, please.

See the rest of the list, including the most heinous, mobile-etiquette offender after the jump.

How to Be the Perfect Houseguest

LearnVest — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:15:17 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

At the beach, in the mountains or in the big city, being invited to a friend’s place not only lets us catch up with loved ones but also lets us save on hotels.

Of course, the flip side is that there’s a totally different set of expectations (read: you can’t throw your towels on the floor). If you’re not a master of houseguest etiquette, you might come off as ungrateful and inadvertently ruin your chances of visiting again next year.

We don’t want you to break a long tradition of shacking up at your aunt’s cute beach house every summer, so we’ve put together a guide to being the perfect houseguest.

Be Clear About How Long You Will Stay

Make sure you lock down your visiting dates far in advance with your hosts . . . at their invitation. Don’t ever be vague or hope to stretch out your visit after you arrive. If your BFF says she’ll be busy after Labor Day, book your return ticket to leave a full day before so she has some time to herself.

No Surprises, Please

Never show up unannounced - or, even worse, with a puppy, child, significant other or friend (even if it’s a mutual friend), unless you've cleared it with your host beforehand. You may call it spontaneous and fun . . . your cousin and her husband may call it inconvenient.

Read on to find out how to be the perfect houseguest.