SP has written before about that particular creature known as the Conversation Hog and judging by readers’ responses, it seems many of you have come across this porcine annoyance a time or two as well. Now let us turn our attention to another player in the little show called The Art of Conversation and [...]
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posted on June 24, 2009
SP had the recent good fortune of attending two dinner parties held on consecutive evenings. While both of these dinners were attended by an interesting assortment of guests, both offered delicious food and both provided endless amusement and intelligent banter, there was one stark difference. The first event was an assemblage of old friends gathering for [...]
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posted on March 11, 2009
SP cannot tolerate a VIP room, the ideal or the reality. What is the point? Whether I am cosseted inside rubbing shoulders with the self-appointed beau monde or huddled outside with the hoi polloi, it makes no matter. People who want to associate with people they think are as good as they are (unlikely) or [...]
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posted on January 14, 2009
The holiday season is upon us and many are making our way to airports, gas stations, train stations what have you. Or maybe you’re the one staying put preparing to receive the cavalry of friends and family. It is beyond cliché to say that holidays are trying. What with the inconvenience of travel (by any [...]
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posted on November 26, 2008
I get too hungry for dinner at eight I like the theater but never come late I never bother with people I hate That’s why the lady is a tramp Rogers and Hart wrote those words for the musical Babes in Arms. Frank Sinatra made them most famous by ad-libbing mightily with an approving smirk, [...]
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posted on November 5, 2008
One of the cornerstones in the foundation of good manners is Generosity. So I ask you, is there anything more boring and frustrating than being held prisoner by a conversation hog? The CH is a person who is so enthralled by the sound of his voice that he fills the empty space with his never-ending monologue. I recently attended a [...]
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posted on September 19, 2008
SP recently witnessed an egregious transgression over an invitation – or lack of one, rather — to a dinner party. The party of the first part — let’s call her Mrs. Flaunt – was discussing an event that was to occur that evening in front of the party of the second part who we’ll call Mr. Passingby. [...]
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posted on August 22, 2008
SP has many thoughts on how to be a good house guest, but there seems to me a better place to begin that conversation, and that is to offer a gentle reminder on how to be a good house host. It always surprises me when I am invited to some generous friend’s charming house only to find that some [...]
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posted on July 23, 2008
A friend recently asked “What is the proper RSVP or Thank You when invited by email?” Good question. This is a confusing proposition in this day of email invitations — or god forbid, “evites” – but an important one. Since the purpose of manners is to make those around you feel at ease, this is [...]
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posted on April 1, 2008
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