Manners and social ettiquette should be required classes
I'm a sucker for old-fashioned manners. I like a man who will open a car door for me or wait for me to be seated first, and I like a woman who will serve tea in cups with saucers or send cards "just because." And while I often disagree with the respected Ms. Emily Post, I believe that one of the few things that keeps our society from falling apart are ettiquette, politeness, and a general understanding of boundaries. I just seem to often forget that fewer and fewer people are being taught those so-important things. I tend to take them for granted until I am forced to deal with a person or persons who are, to be blunt, clueless as a wild boar. I don't blame them, I blame their parents, or teachers, or whoever failed to beat it into their heads that there are just some simple guidelines that make it so their relationships with others can actually be better than they are.
Now while this written complaint is an amalgam of a lot of different things, everything from pushy people at the store to drivers who need to re-learn on their tricycles, I have one big irritation that I have to write because I am dealing with it on a daily basis. Silly me, I thought people knew this, but obviously they don't, because I have had issues with literally every single person involved thus far who is under the age of 40, save one. (I'm guessing that those over 40 know this rule, thank you to them.) When you receive an invitation to a formal event, that invitation is FOR THE PEOPLE NAMED ON THE INVITATION ONLY. The ONLY exception to this is when "And Guest" is added. No matter what you think, it is not automatically okay for you to bring your boy/girl-friend, brother, roommate, co-worker, or anyone else. You DO NOT get to bring someone just because you have someone you want to bring.
I am getting so fed up and angry with people who are consistantly arguing with me about this. They just cannot seem to get it through their heads that there are very good reasons for this. Our wedding, for example, is in a relatively small space. The contract states that we may have 120 people max. We are also paying for it OURSELVES. I am also sick and tired of people saying "Well, they just won't eat then." That's NOT THE POINT. Rascal and I had to agonize over our guest list and I had to cut a lot of people that I really wanted there just because we are limited. There is no way in hell that I am cutting more of my friends just so some whiner can bring someone I don't know and will never see again. If they have a problem with this, fine, DON'T COME. That way I can put someone deserving back on the list. And back to this etiquette thing, hey, this is SUPPOSED to be common knowledge. Check with good old Ms. Post if you don't believe me.
Maybe she should be required reading after all.
Now while this written complaint is an amalgam of a lot of different things, everything from pushy people at the store to drivers who need to re-learn on their tricycles, I have one big irritation that I have to write because I am dealing with it on a daily basis. Silly me, I thought people knew this, but obviously they don't, because I have had issues with literally every single person involved thus far who is under the age of 40, save one. (I'm guessing that those over 40 know this rule, thank you to them.) When you receive an invitation to a formal event, that invitation is FOR THE PEOPLE NAMED ON THE INVITATION ONLY. The ONLY exception to this is when "And Guest" is added. No matter what you think, it is not automatically okay for you to bring your boy/girl-friend, brother, roommate, co-worker, or anyone else. You DO NOT get to bring someone just because you have someone you want to bring.
I am getting so fed up and angry with people who are consistantly arguing with me about this. They just cannot seem to get it through their heads that there are very good reasons for this. Our wedding, for example, is in a relatively small space. The contract states that we may have 120 people max. We are also paying for it OURSELVES. I am also sick and tired of people saying "Well, they just won't eat then." That's NOT THE POINT. Rascal and I had to agonize over our guest list and I had to cut a lot of people that I really wanted there just because we are limited. There is no way in hell that I am cutting more of my friends just so some whiner can bring someone I don't know and will never see again. If they have a problem with this, fine, DON'T COME. That way I can put someone deserving back on the list. And back to this etiquette thing, hey, this is SUPPOSED to be common knowledge. Check with good old Ms. Post if you don't believe me.
Maybe she should be required reading after all.