From my book: "Forget-Me-Not, Forget-Me-Never"
May Heaven preserve and keep thee,
From every sorrow free,
And grant thee every blessing,
My earnest wish for thee.
Your Friend,
Mary Gleich
June 21, 1906
Happy Easter everyone!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Continental vs. American Dining
Until the 1850's, Europeans ate in the same style as Americans, switching their forks to their right hand after cutting with their left hand. In 1853, a French chef was cited in an etiquette book that changed thie practice. This French chef suggested that those who wished to eat like fashonable people should not switch their fork to their right hand after cutting their meat, but raise their fork to their mouth still in their left hand, thus, the Continental style.
The European upper classes immediately adopted this practice. Soon, Europeans of all classes began eating in the Continental style. This easy, convenient style is also great for left handed people, and as always, remember to cut your meat in any style with your elbows next to your sides.
The European upper classes immediately adopted this practice. Soon, Europeans of all classes began eating in the Continental style. This easy, convenient style is also great for left handed people, and as always, remember to cut your meat in any style with your elbows next to your sides.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Unfinished Fashionista
Good for the First Lady. She is beautifully educated, beautifully spoken, and beautifully dressed. Europe is fascinated with her as she seems to be something of a young novelty from a new generation. She is tall, athletic yet thin, and can wear anything. She looks like a modern day "Jackie O." Our own classic American "fashionista."
Yes, Mrs. Obama did break protocol and touched The Queen of England on the shoulder, but only after The Queen touched her first on the small of the back. I watched the video on U-Tube and the British press is not seeing what I saw, but I invite my readers to be their own judge. Even so, our First Lady should have, after being touched by the Queen, kept her arms at her sides. Maybe next time.
Our lovely First Lady did, however, hold her own next to that rock star groupie/supermodel, not so super singer/mistress turned First Lady of France, Carla. Mrs. Bruni was, however, well dressed in Dior. I just wish Mrs. Obama would have exclusively worn American born designers through Europe.
Nevertheless, I do wish Mrs. Obama would not have run all over Europe sleeveless. Not only is going sleeveless not 'Old World,' from an etiquette stand point, going sleeveless looks unfinished from a fashion stand point. Someone, please tell her stylist to put a 'Jackie O" jacket on her.
Yes, Mrs. Obama did break protocol and touched The Queen of England on the shoulder, but only after The Queen touched her first on the small of the back. I watched the video on U-Tube and the British press is not seeing what I saw, but I invite my readers to be their own judge. Even so, our First Lady should have, after being touched by the Queen, kept her arms at her sides. Maybe next time.
Our lovely First Lady did, however, hold her own next to that rock star groupie/supermodel, not so super singer/mistress turned First Lady of France, Carla. Mrs. Bruni was, however, well dressed in Dior. I just wish Mrs. Obama would have exclusively worn American born designers through Europe.
Nevertheless, I do wish Mrs. Obama would not have run all over Europe sleeveless. Not only is going sleeveless not 'Old World,' from an etiquette stand point, going sleeveless looks unfinished from a fashion stand point. Someone, please tell her stylist to put a 'Jackie O" jacket on her.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Fashion Superstition
The Fashion Industry has an old superstition: Never place a pair of shoes on a table, desk or counter. It is bad luck. Clack. Clack.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Oh Me, Oh My!
Oh Me,
Just when I thought President Obama had committed the only Protocol faux-pas of the day in shaking the hand of the Queen in a "Double Handed" handshake, today in many British newspapers, it is reported that our First Lady, Michelle Obama, touched the Queen by giving her a hug! The first rule of etiquette in meeting any member of Royalty is: do not touch Royalty.
Now, I will report that there is much speculation about who touched whom first. In the end, it does not matter because in the foreign press, Michelle Obama is blamed for breaking Protocol.
For the younger generations, whether Protocol and manners still matter in pagan, socialist countries anymore, who knows, but citizens of the Britain still adore and respect their Queen, and she is a woman of a certain age. The younger generation should respect her traditions of Protocol.
Even if the gloved Queen did touch Mrs. Obama on the small of the back first, Michelle Obama should have kept her hands to herself. If she had kept her hands at her sides, we would not even be having this conversation. The British press would only then be picking on Mrs. Obama's shoulder less dress and the iPod gift given by the Obamas to the Queen. Oh My!
Check out the link: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/G20/article6022502.ece
Just when I thought President Obama had committed the only Protocol faux-pas of the day in shaking the hand of the Queen in a "Double Handed" handshake, today in many British newspapers, it is reported that our First Lady, Michelle Obama, touched the Queen by giving her a hug! The first rule of etiquette in meeting any member of Royalty is: do not touch Royalty.
Now, I will report that there is much speculation about who touched whom first. In the end, it does not matter because in the foreign press, Michelle Obama is blamed for breaking Protocol.
For the younger generations, whether Protocol and manners still matter in pagan, socialist countries anymore, who knows, but citizens of the Britain still adore and respect their Queen, and she is a woman of a certain age. The younger generation should respect her traditions of Protocol.
Even if the gloved Queen did touch Mrs. Obama on the small of the back first, Michelle Obama should have kept her hands to herself. If she had kept her hands at her sides, we would not even be having this conversation. The British press would only then be picking on Mrs. Obama's shoulder less dress and the iPod gift given by the Obamas to the Queen. Oh My!
Check out the link: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/G20/article6022502.ece
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Meeting Her Majesty, The Queen
In watching tons of old movies on TCM, I have noticed that Americans used to say: "How do you do" when meeting someone. We do not say these words anymore and instead now say: "Nice to meet you." I prefer to say: "Nice to see you," in case I have met this person before and do not immediately remember them.
When being introduced to The Queen, or any Royalty, always wait for the introduction, wait for the Queen to extend her hand and wait to answer her by saying: "How do you do," NOT "Nice to meet you." "How do you do" is more formal and is preferred by Royalty as traditional.
When Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, met the Queen, she said: "Nice to meet you" and was unmercifully bashed by the media. The press said she insulted the Queen by not saying: "How do you do." The press called her "common" and "rude," and all because she did not know to say: "How do you do" to the Queen.
Sounds like such a dumb little thing, but apparently not. That is what etiquette is all about....knowing all your little rules.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Neighborly Giving vs. Government "Giving"
My Father said when he was growing up during the height of the Great Depression, his Mother would make extra dinner once a week, enough food to feed the family at the end of the street with 6 kids. During the Depression, only one person per household was allowed to work to spread out the jobs. The father had lost his job. The mother had to raise those 6 kids. They were poor. They were thin and starving. All the neighbors took turns. Everyone pitched in to help this family in need. The neighbors were only too happy to share what little they had with their neighbor not as fortunate as they.
America was not a wealthy country, yet, people appreciated what they had. Respect for each other and respecting a neighbor's feelings was paramont. One never embarassed another person for any reason. What we now refer to as "Old World" values and ideals were the rules of the day. Upon meeting someone, the first questions one would typically ask were: "Who is your family?", "Where are you and your family from?", and "What is your education." Families lived within their means.
We started this country for the purpose of small government and in the 1930's, government was still small. There was no public assistance, no food stamps, no Section 8 housing, no Social Security and workers had few rights. With progress came the good and the bad, but have we now bought into the mindset that government owes us everything as a "Right?" Please, help thy neighbor, treat others as you would wish to be treated. Please, be responsible for onself, one's children and one's family.
America was not a wealthy country, yet, people appreciated what they had. Respect for each other and respecting a neighbor's feelings was paramont. One never embarassed another person for any reason. What we now refer to as "Old World" values and ideals were the rules of the day. Upon meeting someone, the first questions one would typically ask were: "Who is your family?", "Where are you and your family from?", and "What is your education." Families lived within their means.
We started this country for the purpose of small government and in the 1930's, government was still small. There was no public assistance, no food stamps, no Section 8 housing, no Social Security and workers had few rights. With progress came the good and the bad, but have we now bought into the mindset that government owes us everything as a "Right?" Please, help thy neighbor, treat others as you would wish to be treated. Please, be responsible for onself, one's children and one's family.
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