TresSugar

10 Pet Peeves We Can All Agree On

TresSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Since it’s Pet Peeve Week, all of you shared the little things that get under your skin in a big way. From your submissions, I’ve rounded up 10 annoyances I think most of us would count among our pet peeves. I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of doing these from time to time, but since it’s the week to let out our frustration, let’s get to it!

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America: A Country For Rude People

TresSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

High-profile incidents of rudeness have dominated the news cycle over the last week. The president of the United States can't give a speech without being heckled, Serena Williams lost her cool during the US Open, and yes, Kanye West acted like a "jackass" by interrupting Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech.

In today's New York Times, columnists David Brooks and Gail Collins weigh in on the decline of American manners. Specifically, conservative Brooks suggests that Kanye's outburst is a turning point for America's future, equivalent even to the Battle of Gettysburg (seriously, David Brooks?) and a sign that American society is in decline.

Putting aside the possible implications, do you think Americans are getting ruder?

Awkward! Toaster Gets Toasted

TresSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Among the many tips given to people who make toasts at wedding receptions - don't be long-winded, include witty anecdotes, mention those you are toasting by name and explain how you know them - it should go without saying that you shouldn't be a drunken fool while giving toasts.

That's just what happened at a wedding I attended, and unfortunately I ended up being embarrassed on behalf of the drunk toaster.

Here's how it went down. I reluctantly agreed to go to a friend's wedding even though her soon-to-be brother-in-law had just dumped me for an older woman. (It's a long story, but she'd set me up with - oh, let's call him Jake - and I kinda fell for him. Shortly after we realized it was never going to work, he began dating someone else.)

I didn't want to see Jake, in part because I was still hurting from the rejection, in part because I didn't want to see her, but there I was, trying to support my friend and keep a low profile.

No dice. Jake, a bigger drama queen than I, had to get stinkin' wasted during the wedding. After he gave a sweet toast, albeit filled with risqué jokes told in slurred speech, he began looking around the room - for me. "Hey, where's X? X should give a toast . . . Hey give a toast, X!" I cringed, blushed and then wanted to hide under the table when I saw what none of us wanted to believe was happening: his new girlfriend proceeded to throw coffee into his lap after he finally sat down.

Oh, sheesh. They began to argue, someone else tried to diffuse the situation, and I ran to the open bar for my own alcoholic beverage.

Have you ever attended a wedding in which the toaster got toasted or said something stupid?

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Tech Dating 101: Using Your Phone While on a Date

DearSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:42:02 -0700

Sometimes we all need a little help navigating the choppy waters of dating when tech gets tossed into the mix, which is why geeksugar and I have teamed up for another installment of Tech Dating 101. Last week, we talked about canceling a date via text, and this week we're discussing whether or not texting and making calls during your date is acceptable dinner etiquette.

Can I text and make phone calls during a date without being rude?

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

I'll make this one simple. Using your phone while you're on a date is rude - period. A date should be about you and the person you're with, trying to get to know one another, enjoying your time together, and most importantly, not worrying about what your friends are doing or who is trying to get in touch with you.

If you're on a date with your long-term boyfriend or your husband, my opinion is a little different, especially if you have kids. While I think having chats at the dinner table is still impolite, I do think checking to see who is calling or reading a text is acceptable if you're trying to make plans with other couples or if you're calling to check in with the babysitter, but taking it any further is still a no-no in my book.

However, if you're on a blind date and you think there's a chance you'll need to make a quick escape, by all means keep that phone on the table for your "emergency call" from your best friend!

To see what my girl geek has to say, be sure to click here!

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Etiquette Past vs. Present: Talking Loudly

DearSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0800

I've always been a loud person - people tell me I'm missing the indoor voice gene - but according to Emily Post, booming pipes in public places isn't the most polite thing:

"Keep your voice to a reasonable volume. Public places are noisy by nature, but don't add to the din by talking louder than you must. Think of keeping your voice volume down as a personal form of public service."

This is easier said than done, especially when you're having fun with friends or family at a common place, but tell me, are you conscious of how loud you are when socializing?

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Etiquette Past vs. Present: Primping in Public

DearSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Many of us take public transportation to and from work, which makes me think you've been witness to women primping on the bus or the train a few times too many. Public grooming has always been a pet peeve of mine, and as it turns out, Emily Post agrees:

"Let your grooming wait. Quickly combing your hair or freshening lipstick won't offend, but peforming your morning grooming routine on public transportation - or, more dangerously, in your car - is something to avoid."

Are you in agreement with us as well, that making yourself presentable should be done behind closed doors?

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Etiquette Past vs. Present: Men Walking on the Curb Side

DearSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:30:00 -0800

I got an Emily Post's Etiquette book for Christmas this year - fitting, I know! - and while flipping through some of her old-school ideals, I thought it'd be fun to see how your real life behavior and expectations of others stand up to Miss Manners herself! One of her echoes of traditional etiquette is below.

"On the street, a man traditionally walks on the curb side - a custom born of the idea that women needed to be shielded from the potential hazards posed by the passing horse-and-buggy parade."

I've known men who religiously obey this unwritten rule and those that don't even know it exists. Since proper etiquette means something different to everyone, tell me, is this something you'd expect a man to do when he's with you?

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8 Things to Remember When Attending a Holiday Party

DearSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0800

I came across a very timely article on The Frisky the other day about how not to become a party pariah in front of your family, co-workers, or friends. I'm sure most of you will be attending your fair share of holiday parties this year so I thought it'd be a good idea to share its four suggestions with you, and offer up four of my own, too! Check out their tips below:

Keep the booze in check
Invite one date at a time
Don't drunk dial
Keep your inner stripper at bay

To see my suggestions, read more

Don't say anything that you wouldn't say sober
Don't overstay your welcome - no one likes a lingering party guest
Don't overdo the PDA
Be mindful of wardrobe malfunctions

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Where Do You Stand? Do His Manners Matter?

DearSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Though I do appreciate a chivalrous man, it's not cause to write someone off completely if he's not. But good manners, on the other hand, I’m a stickler about. No open mouth chewing or asking for something without a please and thank you, for me! OK, I might let some things slide a year into a relationship, but not while we're just dating. Is it the same for you? Where do you stand when it comes to a man’s manners? Could particularly terrible manners ever be a dealbreaker?

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Do Tell: Are You Always Late or Right on Time?

DearSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:00:00 -0700

It seems that most of you feel being late is inconsiderate, and it sends a disrespectful message to those waiting for you. I happen to agree - I'm always on time - but I have friends that are late no matter what, even when they give themselves extra time. I've grown accustomed to it though, and I just consider it their little quirk. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules, so do tell, are you the person who's usually running late or do you tend to be right on time, if not a little early?

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