People used to learn to figure skate via diagram? [Via Public Domain Review]
Happy Holidays!
Category Archives: Etiquette News
Don’t Throw Rocks In Iceland
I love learning about bits of etiquette from other countries, like how in India you’re supposed to eat food with your right hand (since you do your business with your left), or how in Italy chrysanthemums are only given at funerals. But there’s one tidbit I learned recently while researching the hidden people (elves) of Iceland: don’t throw rocks in Iceland!
The numbers vary, but according to many surveys, a great number of Icelanders believe in the existence of hidden people, essentially a race of elves or other human-like creature that lives in a dimension just beyond ours, and who sometimes are visible to us. Much has been made of how construction has been halted due to the belief that hidden folk live where a road was supposed to go. But other etiquette rules exist, such as never throwing stones, for you may accidentally hit one.
This is good advice in general! When you throw rocks you could hit literally anything–a person, a car, a cat. Throwing rocks is a dangerous hobby, doubly so when there are potential victims that you can’t even see. So err on the side of caution and don’t throw rocks, for the good of all beings around you.
But also because they may start throwing rocks back.
Instagram Etiquette For Teens
Hey, we have an Instagram too, did you know?
You guys, I know this is an old person thing to say, but I am REALLY glad that I don’t have to be a teenager right now. I was listening to This American Life episode “Status Update” and Ira had on a pair of teenage girls to talk about Instagram and the crazy rules about it that govern their ENTIRE LIVES. Basically they HAVE to like and comment on every single post any of their friends makes:
Ella: It’s definitely a social obligation, because you want to let them know, and also let people who are seeing those, that I have a close relationship with this person, so close that I can comment on their pictures, like, this is so cute, or, you look so great here…
And
Jane: Especially because we, like, just started high school, so we’re meeting a lot of new people. So you would comment on someone’s photo who you’re not really super close with or that you don’t know really well. And it’s sort of a statement, like, I want to be friends with you, or I want to get to know you, or like, I think you’re cool.
If someone that you don’t know very well commented on your photo, you– it’s sort of like an unspoken agreement that you have to comment back on their photo. Like when you’re making new friends, if they comment on your photo, you comment on their photo.
But the really nice thing about it is that they only comment nice things:
Jane
So I have gorgeous, pretty.
Ella
You’re so pretty, OMG.
Jane
So pretty.
Ella
This is so pretty, OMG.
Jane
Heart eyes. So pretty. Heart eyes. Gorgeous. Gorge.
Ella
You’re so pretty, bye.
Jane
Cutest.
I guess if you have to spend 24 hours of your day responding to and liking pictures on Instagram, at least you are getting a lot of positive affirmation and love?
It’s a great episode all together, check it out.
Uncommon Courtesy Holiday Gift Guide!
Do you have a friend or family member who is an avid reader of our site and don’t know what to get them for the holidays? Here is a great etiquette based gift guide!
Handkerchiefs!
Someone once said that you can tell how good a person is by how well their shoes are shined. That’s completely absurd of course, but why risk it? Get a shoe shine kit and your loved one will always have the shiniest shoes.
Like I keep saying, Scarlett has so much random etiquette in it!
Of course, if you want a real etiquette book, Etiquette is never a bad idea.
Personalized stationery is lovely and hopefully will ensure that you get a thank you note!
Or what about a stamp with their initial and some sealing wax? It really fancies up paying your bills!
Or a beautiful fountain pen to inspire beautiful words?
Full Disclosure: All links are our Amazon Affiliate links!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We will not be posting today or Friday for the holiday, but be sure to save up your Thanksgiving etiquette horror stories and happy stories and share them with us! Email your questions or stories to info@uncommon-courtesy.com
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