25 Oct
10 Blackberry Commandments
- Thou shalt not take the BlackBerry to any table with food on it or family around it. A BlackBerry is not a fruit, nor does it come from a tree.
- Thou shalt not use the BlackBerry as reading material in the event of insomnia. It will only worsen your situation.
- Thou shalt not BlackBerry in lieu of responding to a child’s request (e.g., “Wait a second, I’m reading something”).
- Thou shalt not place the BlackBerry within distance of hearing its incessant beeps while at home. It is not a bird.
- Thou shalt not check the BlackBerry as if it were your baby. It will not cry or stop breathing.
- Thou shalt not confuse number of e-mails with self-worth.
- Thou shalt do everything possible to misplace your BlackBerry on weekends. “There’s No Place Like Home” will never be the tagline for the BlackBerry company.
- Thou shalt remember that a BlackBerry is not a body appendage. It is a device that belongs in your briefcase or on your desk, not in social settings.
- Thou shalt refrain from bringing the BlackBerry to events involving family interaction. Extraneous dialogue with this contraption in lieu of real conversation suggests addiction.
- Thou shalt never, ever, ever bring the BlackBerry to bed. Do this and you are BlackBuried!
This was reprinted with permission by Joey Reiman, BrightHouse CEO and Founder. It was originally printed in the November 2008 issue of Pink magazine.
How to Crack and Eat a Lobster
By Guest Blogger: Carol Bory, Carol Bory Etiquette Consulting
The most frequent question I receive at my dining etiquette workshops is how to crack a lobster. For the adventurous ones, below are step-by-step instructions.
I also found a very good video of a chef demonstrating how to crack a lobster. Click on the lobster image to the right to view the video.
1. Place the lobster shell-side down.
2. Separate the tail from the body by bending the lobster backwards and twisting the tail.
3. Place a fork in the tail meat and tightly pull the meat from the shell. This will require a little force. Remove the black vein from the top of the tail and discard it along with the shells in a separate bowl. Cut the lobster meat into bite-size pieces and using a seafood fork dip the meat in melted butter or a sauce and eat in one bite.
4. Twist off the claws at the joints and crack the claw shell using a lobster cracker. This may require using the lobster cracker a few times before you can extract the meat. Remove the meat from the shell by using a lobster fork or your fingers. Again, place the claw shell in a separate bowl. Cut the lobster meat into bite-size pieces and using a seafood fork dip the meat in melted butter or a sauce and eat in one bite.
5. Tear off the legs and suck out the meat if you choose. Discard the shells.
6. Place the body shell-side down and pull the shell outwards separating the meat from the shell. Discard the shell in a separate bowl. Using a fork remove the tomalley, the green liver, from the round pockets. For some, the tomalley is considered a delicacy; others do not care for the taste. Cut the remaining lobster meat into bite-size pieces and using a seafood fork dip the meat in melted butter or a sauce and eat in one bite.
Carol Bory is a certified etiquette consultant based in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit her website at www.carolbory.com.
Want to Appear More Polished? Get Organized With These Very Merry Timesaving Tips
By Guest Blogger: Geralin Thomas, president of Metropolitan Organizing ® LLC
While the holidays may seem far away, you can guarantee less stress for that busy time of year if you take advantage of time this autumn to get ahead of the game and cross some items off your holiday to-do list. Here are a few ideas to minimize the chaos.
GATHER ALL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS in one place. Make last minute donations no later than December 31, 2008 for credit toward this year’s taxes.
PLAN YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. If you plan to fly, it’s no secret that the price will drop two days after you buy the ticket. I highly recommend YAPTA.com, which is an airlines fare-checker. Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant (YAPTA) is a free-of-charge website that helps you check airfares for various airlines. It will automatically send you a note if/when the fares drop. (You purchase the ticket on your own.) YAPTA.com installs free on your computer. The best news is that it continues checking the fares even after you buy your ticket, and you may be eligible for a refund. (Again, you contact the airline and negotiate the refund on your own.) Line up hotel reservations and car rentals to avoid the dreaded news of no vacancy and no availability.
SHOP THE MALLS ON TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS. These are the days of the week that the malls are less crowded.
HO, HO, HO, OFF YOUR PACKAGES GO! Avoid the post office during the holidays whenever possible. Did you know you can get free Priority Mail boxes and request a free pickup? Your mail carrier comes to your house and picks up your packages, free of charge. For more information, or to print a shipping label, go to www.usps.com, click and ship.
TRAFFIC. When scheduling your appointments, don’t grab the first morning slot, because chances are you will end up waiting in rush-hour traffic. Instead, ask for the first appointment after lunch. And remember, by not sitting in traffic you will waste less gas.
Geralin Thomas is a Chronic Disorganization and ADHD Professional Organizing Specialist. She helps clients lead less cluttered lives in their homes and home offices and encourages them to strive for excellence rather than perfection in all matters related to organizing, procrastination and productivity. For more information, visit: http://www.metropolitanorganizing.com.
Jacqueline Whitmore’s Book, "Business Class," Is Now Available in China
My book, “Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work,” is now available in China! If you are interested in purchasing a copy you can order it by going to:
http://tinyurl.com/47jwgb.