Confession 38 - Fist Bumps are OK and Emily Post

I'm finally getting back to writing. I know, it's been forever! What was I thinking when I thought summer would allow me to think deeply and write more ... NOT! It's been a constant struggle with finding things for the Little B's to do, attending social events and taking the liberties to stay out late and have fun during these long summer nights.

Today I'm confessing about my obsession with Emily Post and striving to have good manners, something we all struggle with young and old.  Many of you youngins may not even know who she is. My obsession started way back when I was younger. Living in a household where my parents were immigrants, it was always hard for me to judge whether I was doing something appropriate or insanely tacky. I had a good friend that I spent countless hours with who lived in a household of "prim and proper" and I always looked at them to set the bar and inadvertently learned the dos and don'ts. Things like, how to set a proper table, when to use please and thank you and when you have overstayed your welcome and should go home (sometimes I still get that wrong). As I got older and discovered Emily Post, I would read about what to do and research the heck out a of a topic.  Like, do you always send a thank you card after a dinner? Even if you said thank you while leaving and called and said thank you the next day.  Ya, I'm a little insane like that.  If you come to my house, you will see Etiquette by Emily Post prominently displayed on my book shelf, not because I'm the "manner queen" or crack that baby open all the time, but it's a reminder to me, to try to instill the best manners and etiquette within my family. Nowadays, that book rarely gets cracked and is merely dusted, I find it easier to Google the subject or go to the Emily Post website.

If you don't know much about Emily Post, you can read a brief biography here.

And from the Emily Post website, I love how they have changed the tune of etiquette and formalities. I find our world and definitely the newer generations, are becoming more and more casual. But, the basics of etiquette and manners still hold true, check it out below:

About The Institute

The Emily Post Institute, Inc., is one of America's most unique family businesses. From social networking to social graces, the name Emily Post has been the definitive source on etiquette for generations of Americans. Spanning five generations, this family business maintains and evolves the standards of etiquette that Emily Post established with her seminal book Etiquette in 1922. According the the Posts, though times have changed, the principles of good manners remain constant. Above all, manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. Being considerate, respectful, and honest is more important than knowing which fork to use. Whether it's a handshake or a fist bump, it's the underlying sincerity and good intentions of the action that matter most.

I'm so glad to know that the fist bump suffices as a welcoming and acknowledging gesture! I really like how the company has taken Emily's vision and made things current over the years.  You can go to the site to read up on etiquette in the digital world and  even everyday manners. Two sections I frequent often.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect and I'm sure I'm lacking in many of these areas (especially probably in the technology manners area), but I'm always intrigued to find out the thought process behind certain gestures and a reassurance I'm doing the right thing.

I know many of you may think this is a weird confession and most wouldn't care what others think, but remember, etiquette and manners are not defined by that. It just shows that you are a caring thoughtful individual. What's so wrong with that? So next time you are wondering whether or not you should regift that Christmas gift, manners for Facebook or if it's okay to wear white after Labor Day, peruse the Emily Post site and get your manners and etiquette in check!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you liked my latest confession!