How to Be The Consummate Thanksgiving Guest

Written by Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach


Continued from page 1

Avoid, on your own part, complaining, war stories, off-color jokes, anything you feel intensely about, nattering on about something that might bore others, getting drunk and inappropriate, and anger. It’s a day of thanksgiving – gratitude – after all.

After you’ve settled in and visited a bit, it’s time to askrepparttar hostess if you can do anything to help. Continue spending time with each guest, and if there are kids there, take your turn at entertaining them.

When it’s time to be seated, askrepparttar 129769 hostess, “Where would you like us to sit?”

Light and pleasant conversation should continue. If you want kudos fromrepparttar 129770 hostess here’s what usually happens and here’s what you can do about it: as soon asrepparttar 129771 food is served, conversation ends. Everyone digs in andrepparttar 129772 silence grows awkward. Be prepared with something like, “Goodness, this dressing is delicious. What do you put in it?” This will getrepparttar 129773 conversation going again.

At table, be considerate of others. If it’s a big table and things are being passed, be surerepparttar 129774 salt and pepper get included. Startrepparttar 129775 gravy several times.

Special tip: at nearly every table, someone is going to be asked to sayrepparttar 129776 blessing. Might it be you? I’d be prepared, if I were you.

At most tables there will be one conversation – of course a merry one if there are children there. If a really large group, talk torepparttar 129777 people on either side of you, and those across from you. You will get cues fromrepparttar 129778 hostess.

When everyone’s through eating, look torepparttar 129779 hostess for cues. If she starts clearingrepparttar 129780 table, join in. If she doesn’t, leave everything as is.

Afterrepparttar 129781 meal, it’s time to be thinking about going home. If you weren’t told beforehand, be watchingrepparttar 129782 hostess for cues. Let’s say you leaverepparttar 129783 table and are invited intorepparttar 129784 living room to sit. Mayberepparttar 129785 game’s on in which case you’re expected to stay tillrepparttar 129786 end. Maybe it’s not, and dessert is served then, or after-dinner liqueurs and/or coffee. Thenrepparttar 129787 hostess gets up and starts clearingrepparttar 129788 table and putting things away. Offer to help, and then when that’s accomplished, it’s time to go home.

If no one gets up and conversation continues, watchrepparttar 129789 host and hostess for yawns, stretching, or if they letrepparttar 129790 conversation lapse. These are “get up and go” signs.

Then you say “Well we need to be going home now,” andrepparttar 129791 host and hostess will protest, but do so anyway, say a nice good-bye with “thank yous” and you’re on your way.

It’s nice to send a written thank you note inrepparttar 129792 next day or two.

Last thing to mention – if “the game” is a big deal for you, you’ll have to figure out a way to work around that. I was at one Thanksgiving feast whererepparttar 129793 television was not turned on, and there were some very unhappy gentlemen there, includingrepparttar 129794 one I was with. So at least considerrepparttar 129795 possibility and if it’s important to you, you’ll have to find out. You can userepparttar 129796 phraseology that doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings, i.e., “I’d love to but it’s really important to George to watchrepparttar 129797 game at …” Your hostess can then tell yourepparttar 129798 game is included, or accept your decline.

When you’re going as a guest, plan to have a good time and to make a positive contribution. Then you’ll berepparttar 129799 consummate Thanksgiving guest.

©Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching, Internet courses and ebooks around emotional intelligence for your personal and professional development. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine. I train and certify EQ coaches. Email for info on this fast, affordable, comprehensive, no-residency program. Start immediately.


Free fabulous Daily Success Quotes

Written by Helene Malmsio


Continued from page 1

"Get a job, your husband hates you. Get a great job, your husband leaves you. Get a stupendous job, your husband leaves you for a teenager." - Cynthia Heimel

"I don't think man is woman's natural enemy. I think his lawyer is." - Shana Alexander

"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds fromrepparttar achievement of one's values." - famous quote by Ayn Rand

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment to improverepparttar 129766 world." - Anne Frank

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has beenrepparttar 129767 reward for what he gave." - Calvin Coolidge

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift andrepparttar 129768 rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honorsrepparttar 129769 servant and has forgottenrepparttar 129770 gift." - famous quote by Albert Einstein

"There is no better opportunity to receive more than to be thankful for what you already have. Thanksgiving opensrepparttar 129771 windows of opportunity for ideas to flow your way" - Jim Rohn

"What a pity that so many people rather believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs.. Why don't we just decide to have no doubts, and believe our beliefs! Fear and worry is justrepparttar 129772 misuse-use ofrepparttar 129773 creative powers we originally got to dream." - Jannie Putter

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born." - Dale E. Turner

"Humans haverepparttar 129774 remarkable ability to get exactly what they must have. But there is a difference between a 'must' and a 'want'." - Jim Rohn

"I like thinking of possibilities. At any time, an entirely new possibility is liable to come along and spin you off in an entirely new direction. The trick, I've learned, is to be awake torepparttar 129775 moment." - Doug Hall

"If you want to get somewhere you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up." - Norman Vincent Peale

"Disgust and resolve are two ofrepparttar 129776 great emotions that lead to change" - Jim Rohn



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