The Kosher Etiquette for Kids Class is in full Swing!

Last night, was our 2nd of 4 sessions of Kosher Etiquette for Kids.

I am happy to report that a good time was had by all and that the children are learning the finer points of dining. The first session was classroom instruction but last night we put those practical lessons to the test!

The children were served baked ziti, salad, and pita bread. They practiced cutting the ziti with their stronger hand and then switching the fork to the stronger hand to eat. (American style eating.) The children also practiced "spooning out" the soup to make sure to avoid any type of spill.

But Kosher Etiquette for Kids is a lot more than just classroom instruction and eating. The children watch a video where an actor, (my son), showed them all of the things not to do at the table. They also played a word jumble and a board game to reinforce what they have learned and keep them interested and allow them to interact.

The children had such a good time that they didn't want to leave!

Judah

www.kosheretiquette.com

My Kid did What?

O.K. be honest.

Tell me you are not surprised when you child stays overnight at a friend's house and his or her parents tell you that he or she was extremely polite and well behaved. Meanwhile he is the same child that refuses to eat with silverware and reads a book at the table.

Don't be surprised! You don't realize that the values that you are imparting on your children are actually making an indelible impression.

It's really is true.

Some etiquette tips for staying at a host's house:

1. Try have your child come already showered.
2. Tell your child to offer to clean up.
3. Tell your child to make his bed in the morning.
4. Please tell your child to say thank when they come and take you when they leave.

All suggestions are welcome.

www.kosheretiquette.com

Judah

Are you blind! Can't you see he was safe!

The rant of a crazed paying fan of a professional sports team?

Hardly.

The parent of a 10 year old.

When did it become so important that parents micromanage their children's life of sport and when did it become acceptable for adults to lose control at a town's recreational league event.

Sure there have been some tragic and high profile news stories of parents punching out their kid's coaches but these horrible events tend to make us forget about the general rudeness experienced by these well intentioned volunteers.

Parents don't have to live vicariously through their children's athletic accomplishments!

There are plenty of over 40 and over 50 leagues out there.

Some rules of good sportsmanship:

1. Respect not only your teammates but also your opponents.
2. Respect the rules of the game.
3. Maintain self control.
4. Always play fair.
5. Shake hands with the other team after the game.
6. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake.

S'cuse me!!

When is polite not polite?

When it is an excuse to be rude.

I'm sure you have been in a situation where someone says "excuse me!" right before they lower their shoulder and push you out of the way or when they say "excuse me" but what they are really thinking is "did you really say that to me!?" Usually they are itching for a fight.

Here is a general rule of thumb; only use niceties when you want to be polite.

Otherwise what's the point?!

So How's Married Life?

(A question usually posed to newlyweds.)

That's a loaded question if I ever heard one!

What does the person asking the question expect..An honest answer?

"Well actually we are having our issues and the arguments are getting worse but we are going to therapy and the medication is kicking in and we should make it to our 3 month anniversary"

The point is what is the point of asking a question if you are not really interested in the answer. There are some rules to polite conversation and you don't have to be Barbara Walters to have a pleasant time.

Polite Conversation

1. Don't ask open ended questions unless you are really interested in the answer.
2. Refrain from comments and or jokes if you think they are inappropriate or will provoke.
3. Make eye contact with the person you are conversing with.
4. Try not to talk over someone else's conversation.
5. Try and make sure that you raise your voice enough to be heard, (no low talkers), but enough for others to hear you.
6. If someone says something to you and you have not heard it; ask them to repeat it. Don't just nod your head. You may end up volunteering to wear the Puffy Shirt!

Judah
http://www.kosheretiquette.com

PUT THE FORK DOWN AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE TABLE!

(The title is supposed to be a play on the expression police officers use when stopping a suspect in a car.)

I thought traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike was bad!

Did you ever go to a reception where people just camped themselves in front of the buffet and don't move!?

Maybe it is just me but between the immovable feeders and the the children pushing by you to get to the food, it is enough to make me lose my appetite.

Are people that hungry that they can't wait in line a minute or two to satisfy their appetite?

The answer is NO.

Reception Etiquette

1. Take only as much food as you will eat.
2. Wait your turn.
3. After taking your portion, move away from the buffet table.
4. If seats are available, eat your food while sitting down.
5. Try not to have your food end up hitting someone's elbow.

http://www.kosheretiquettte.com

Additional suggestions are welcome

Elevator Etiquette

It happened again!

I was waiting for the elevator at the ground floor of my office building and people made a bee line to the door as soon as they heard the elevator.

Talk about a Pavlovian reaction!

I wouldn't mind so much if they just waited until people exited the elevator before trying to get in!

My guess is that they are so keyed up jockeying for position in traffic on the highways that this is just another extension of that less than polite behavior.

My next pet peeve is that people don't automatically move to the back of the elevator. Even if they are the first person in the cab, they have to stay near the front.

Are they that anxious to get to work!?

Finally, even if it is crowded can't you ask someone to push the button for the floor instead of reaching over you?

People...Let's practice some basic civility.

Elevator Etiquette

1. Wait until people leave the elevator before entering.
2. Move to the back of the cab to allow others to fill up the car.
3. Ask people politely to press the button for your floor.
4. Move aside or even outside of the cab to allow others to exit at their floor.

http://www.kosheretiquette.com/
Other suggestions are welcome.