Latest news with #DianeGottsman
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Beach
Spending a day at the beach can be an absolute blast. Your fellow beachgoers, however, can make it decidedly less enjoyable. 'In general, etiquette is all about being mindful of other people, which certainly includes being mindful of other people at the beach,' Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the 'Were You Raised by Wolves?' podcast, told HuffPost. 'Although you're outside, you are not alone and your behavior can and does affect other people.' To help beach days more enjoyable for yourself and others, HuffPost asked Leighton and other etiquette experts to share some common faux pas they should avoid on the shore. Here are a few rude behaviors to avoid at the beach. 'Find a spot that is at least three paces from other's belongings,' suggested Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. 'The idea here is to give others a bit of personal space. The spacing should allow for beachgoers to walk between your towel and the other towel without kicking up sand on either.' If it's too crowded and you have to be a little bit closer to others, be extra careful as you walk by to avoid kicking up sand or otherwise disrupting their beach time. 'Don't assume other people want to talk,' said Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert, author of 'Modern Etiquette for a Better Life' and founder of The Protocol School of Texas. 'Watch their body language and if they engage, feel free to continue. If they put their ear buds in, it's a sign they want to be left alone.' Be mindful of the people behind you as you set up your area as well. 'Many beachgoers like to bring all the comforts of home,' Smith said. 'This is fine so long as it does not prohibit others from enjoying the sights. Your umbrella or tent should not inhibit other people's ability to view the water.' Continue to be mindful of the people around you if you decide to smoke at the beach as well. That includes paying attention to where you smoke and what you do when you're finished. 'If you are at a beach that still allows smoking and you want to light up, you will need to head way down the beach,' Smith said. 'Do be sure to dispose of your butts appropriately. It can be quite dangerous for birds, dogs and children to ingest cigarette butts they have found 'buried' in the sand.' Of course, every beach is different, but as a general rule, it's best to avoid feeding birds and other animals along the shore, as this can impact the local ecosystem. Take care not to disrupt them in other ways as well. 'Beaches allow us to connect with nature ― fish, snails and other living things,' Smith said. 'While it is fun to pretend that starfish is your pet, it needs to be returned to the water before you go home.' 'It's rude to shake your towel or sandy clothing near others or toward the direction of the wind,' said etiquette expert Juliet Mitchell, also known as Ms. J. 'Sand in your mouth, in your eyes and on your body doesn't sit well with others.' Smith echoed this rule ― recommending a 'gather, then shake' approach to the conclusion of your beach day. 'Walk away from the people before shaking any of your blankets and towels that have collected sand,' she said. 'The windier it is, the further you need to go. This does make packing up a two-step process, but waving sand in people's eyes is not a good way to end a great day.' 'For any games, find a clear area away from other people,' Leighton advised. 'Frisbees going overhead can make some people nervous.' In the interest of respecting people's space, establish some distance between your activities and other beachgoers ― both to avoid balls and other items whizzing by and for sand purposes. 'Set up your volleyball net away from other people,' Gottsman urged. 'Same goes for playing games in the sand that involve kicking up sand.' Another reason to set up your game far from others, cutting down on disruptive noise. Many people go to the beach for peace and relaxation. 'Things like music and loud cellphone conversations easily travel beyond the boundaries of your blanket and affect other people, so be mindful of what's escaping your bubble,' Leighton said. Pay attention to the volume and content of your conversations with your group as well. 'Watch your language, especially around children,' Mitchell advised. 'Be respectful, be considerate and be civil. No profanity and no fighting.' There's no excuse for leaving your beach area in a worse state than you found it. Littering is not just rude (and illegal), it's dangerous. 'Please do not litter, especially purposely, and clean up your area before you leave,' Mitchell urged. Both public and private beaches have listed rules and guidelines, and it's important to heed them. 'Follow the signs that act as warnings for your safety and the safety of others,' Gottsman said. Familiarize yourself with different flags and what they mean. Don't venture beyond the permitted limits. 'Boundaries are set for a reason,' Mitchell said. 'Stay within the 'swim boundaries' or other boundaries that could cause harm to yourself or others.' And don't just adhere to the explicitly written rules. 'All etiquette is local and it's important to learn and follow the local customs,' Leighton said. 'Every beach has its own.' The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Airport The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Dog Park The Rudest Things You Can Do On A Plane
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm an etiquette expert – here's how to recline your plane seat without causing air rage
Reclining a plane seat can lead to ferocious air rage. This makes the advice here on the etiquette around this seemingly innocent manoeuvre all the more important. It comes courtesy of Diane Gottsman, author and founder of the Protocol School of Texas, who leans into the debate around leaning back with definitive advice. She admits that she herself is not a recliner. She tells The Independent: "Personally, I don't recline my seat and I'm not uncomfortable because I am not very tall. "It does not take a great deal for me to feel comfortable." But Diane understands why many passengers need to reangle themselves and has this key "must" for them. She reveals: "I do understand wanting to be comfortable in your seat. However, when someone reclines their seat, they should at least look backwards to make sure they are not cramping someone's longer legs. "Be respectful of fellow passengers. Airplanes are generally very tight on space and it's polite to recline with courtesy." Diane suggests that to further reduce the risk of "recline rage", you could also tell the person behind: "I'm going to lean back a bit and want to let you know." But she stresses that you should "be prepared for a negative reaction and a definite eye roll". "If the space looks tight and you're on a short flight, use your best judgment," continues Diane. "If it's an overnight flight, it's certainly a different consideration, where a reclined seat is an expectation." But regardless of the length of flight or the time of day, Diane underscores that you should not recline during drink or meal service "for obvious reasons". She adds: "Remember, the seat is not your personal property and is not your living-room recliner. Just because you can recline, doesn't mean you should." Is it okay to object to someone's request to recline? "You can certainly say, if someone asks, 'I would prefer you not recline,'' says Diane. But she stresses that 'it's important to think about how the other person is going to react' and there's never a guarantee it'll be in a calm manner. For more from Diane visit
Fox News
23-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Splitting a restaurant bill with friends? Expert shares 'most desirable' approach
Dining out can be an expensive undertaking. Dining out with friends can be even more costly. When dining with others at a restaurant, what's the best approach to settling the tab when the check arrives? An etiquette expert revealed the best way to avoid those awkward moments or potential conflicts that could damage a friendship. "It's not uncommon for friends at a restaurant to suggest at the end of the meal, 'Let's just split the bill equally,'" Diane Gottsman, founder and owner of the Protocol School of Texas in San Antonio, told Fox News Digital. "At this point, there are several people at the table agreeing outwardly but secretly irritated that they are overpaying for other people's food and drink. It feels uncomfortable because no one wants to be the person that speaks up." To avoid this situation, said Gottsman, it's important to communicate in advance. Someone with financial constraints might be inclined to pay separately. "Let the server know directly who you are going to be responsible for when the bill comes." "The most desirable and sophisticated way to handle this situation is to look directly at the server when he approaches you and say, 'I'm going to take these two' or 'Please give me a separate check,'" said Gottsman. "Let the server know directly who you are going to be responsible for when the bill comes. It's always better to separate it at the beginning rather than at the end." If you do decide to split the bill evenly, it's best to know what the others at your table are eating or drinking. Alcohol can quickly add up when it comes to the final bill, which might leave some feeling uneasy, especially if someone else at your table isn't drinking. "If someone decides to order an extremely expensive bottle of wine, for example, you can speak up and say, 'Hey guys, please enjoy, but I don't want to pay for that wine because I'm not drinking. Letting you know now.'" Splitting a bill down the middle can sometimes be the easiest, least-complicated way to handle things, but people with children should consider paying separately, said Gottsman. "You should also not expect for everyone to assume that splitting the bill is going to be appreciated," she said. "If you speak out once, there are going to be several others [who] are going to take a huge sigh of relief because you verbalized what they were thinking." Another piece of advice, Gottsman told Fox News Digital, is to avoid such scenarios with someone who you know "historically gouges you on the bill." "You can say, I'm going to pass on the invitation, but let's get together next week for lunch," said Gottsman. "In other words, accept an invitation where you can navigate how the bill is paid." In the end, said Gottsman, setting expectations is one of the best ways "to get around this uncomfortable yet common scenario."
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Etiquette expert reveals the one time you should avoid reclining your plane seat
Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman says there are some simple steps that travellers can take to avoid inconveniencing others when reclining their plane seats. Ms Gottsman suggests informing the person behind before reclining. Reclining is generally acceptable on overnight flights but should be avoided during meal or drink service, she says. Passengers can decline a request from the person in front of them to recline, but should be prepared for varied reactions. While reclining is a passenger's right, Ms Gottsman emphasises considerate use of the feature.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
I'm an etiquette expert – here's how to recline your plane seat without causing air rage
Reclining a plane seat can lead to ferocious air rage. This makes the advice here on the etiquette around this seemingly innocent manoeuvre all the more important. It comes courtesy of Diane Gottsman, author and founder of the Protocol School of Texas, who leans into the debate around leaning back with definitive advice. She admits that she herself is not a recliner. She tells The Independent: "Personally, I don't recline my seat and I'm not uncomfortable because I am not very tall. "It does not take a great deal for me to feel comfortable." But Diane understands why many passengers need to reangle themselves and has this key "must" for them. She reveals: "I do understand wanting to be comfortable in your seat. However, when someone reclines their seat, they should at least look backwards to make sure they are not cramping someone's longer legs. "Be respectful of fellow passengers. Airplanes are generally very tight on space and it's polite to recline with courtesy." Diane suggests that to further reduce the risk of "recline rage", you could also tell the person behind: "I'm going to lean back a bit and want to let you know." But she stresses that you should "be prepared for a negative reaction and a definite eye roll". "If the space looks tight and you're on a short flight, use your best judgment," continues Diane. "If it's an overnight flight, it's certainly a different consideration, where a reclined seat is an expectation." But regardless of the length of flight or the time of day, Diane underscores that you should not recline during drink or meal service "for obvious reasons". She adds: "Remember, the seat is not your personal property and is not your living-room recliner. Just because you can recline, doesn't mean you should." Is it okay to object to someone's request to recline? "You can certainly say, if someone asks, 'I would prefer you not recline,'' says Diane. But she stresses that 'it's important to think about how the other person is going to react' and there's never a guarantee it'll be in a calm manner.
