Monday, March 25, 2013

THE SPY WHO CAME IN THROUGH THE COMPUTER

There’s something spooky going on in this vast social media world we live in. We have amateur Mata Haris and Kim Philbys gathering ‘intelligence’ from people’s various accounts – people they don’t even know.  

It’s unnerving that anyone, friend or foe who’s a friend of a Facebook friend can just click and drag away a photo and do as they wish.  Do you really want that picture of you with your eyes crossed compliments of an extra martini circulating? We may not be able to protect our privacy like once upon a time, but if we’re really friends, we can protect each other.

Recently, I almost posted a group picture and one of the women, who is always impeccably dressed had a small wardrobe malfunction, so tiny many wouldn’t have noticed but I did so I didn’t post, and what's more, I didn’t have her permission.

So, I won’t be doing Mata Hari for you. Nor should you do it for someone else. It’s sleaze city. Why would you want to live there?






Monday, March 18, 2013

IN THE COMPANY OF A GENTLEMAN

 
“My dear, he has treated you like fecal matter.”  This overheard at a midtown restaurant. Another diner at the table was talking about how she had been unceremoniously dumped after a lovely evening. Instead of “Thank you” she received more of a ____ you.” The relationship was over after eight years.

Break-ups hurt. No one wants to be on either end but a dash of civility is mending, a balm that can soothe the pain.  “It’s not a question of respect,” her fellow diner, a very polished, elegant man explained, "it’s about courtesy.”

The woman was amazingly calm, more appalled than hurt. “Courtesy,” she repeated. “Yeah, it’s courtesy.” She was thankful for the advice and asked for another glass of champagne.  Cheers!

Monday, March 11, 2013

PEE PUDDLES, THE NEW WELCOME HOME OR HAVE A GOOD DAY MAT


The Upper East Side must be pretty close to heaven for dogs. They’re well dressed – booties and matching coats led with fancy, designer leashes by owners and dog walkers.

Most pick up after their dogs. But when it comes to Fifi’s pee-pee, it just stays there until it dries up or enough people have walked into it to make it disappear. You begin to understand shoeless households.

What’s the pet peeve here? It’s that puddle of urine right in front of buildings that either wishes you a good day as you leave or welcomes you home. There has to be a window of opportunity wherein a dog can be led to pee slightly to the right or left of a building. “I let my dog pee by a planter but never in front of a building’s entrance,” a friend said. Nice doggie, nice owner.

Maybe some dogs can’t control themselves, but pet owners can.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

LETTERQUETTE TO THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN’T SHAKE MY HAND

Dear Miss Guided:

When I extended my hand and introduced myself, I was taken aback by what followed.

You explained to me that you don’t shake hands during the cold and flu season (guess I have to check back with you in the spring or summer) since you meet so many people. As I lowered my hand, you went on to explain that at the moment you weren’t sick. That was a nice touch. It was all about you and not even that you were sick and didn’t want to pass your germs on to me, a client. (See, TALK TO THE HAND)

Sometimes you have to ‘manner’ up and take that hand that’s been graciously extended to you. There’s always the opportunity to give your hands a good washing with soap and water or use some Purell®, it comes in purse size. Whatever you do, use your brain.

I could understand it if we were on a cruise ship where handshaking is discouraged, but we were in a conference room.

I imagine you can meet dozens of people in your line of work. Maybe not as many as POTUS or FLOTUS, but you may want to take a page out of their book, someone gives you their hand you shake it. Your behavior left me shaking my head.

Take care,

Yvonne