Several readers of this column have expressed their perplexity about answers to the recent pop quiz on manners that I offered. They asked for clarification of the answers and, being a fair-minded person, I thought theirs were reasonable requests.
So, here are the questions and explanations of the answers for the three that stumped most who asked:
• Application of lipstick at the meal table is acceptable. To the surprise of many, this is true. There is a caveat, however, and that is it should be done without flair, calling as little attention to yourself as possible. Application of face powder is not acceptable, no matter how shiny one’s nose.
• Eyeglasses, and eyeglasses only, may be placed beside your plate at the meal table. This is false; neither they, nor anything else not relating to the enjoyment of a meal, are welcome tabletop. Of course, if you need glasses to read the menu, even the strictest manners pundit wouldn’t expect you to forego them. It could ruin the dining experience if you didn’t wear your glasses and you mistakenly ordered #23 spinach burrito thinking the menu indicated it was #28 beef burrito.
However, if not wearing them throughout the meal, it is appropriate to tuck your glasses away, off the table, whether Dollar Tree “cheaters” or eyewear by Cartier.
• Name tags should be worn on the left shoulder. False again. Although it is thoroughly understandable why a right-handed person would choose the left shoulder, which is the easiest shoulder on which to slap or pin a name tag, there is a good reason why that is not preferred.
Most often, name tags are used when there is a mix of people who do not know each other. When shaking hands upon introduction, the right hand is used. It is natural, therefore, that the line of vision travels up the right arm of the other person, making the tag on his right shoulder more easily readable than having to lean over to see a tag on his left.
Just in case you feel I may be taking liberty with the truth, all of the preceding manners points have been confirmed by what is still the foremost authority in the field, The Emily Post Institute. Keep the questions and comments coming…please and thank you.
Ginger Philbrick is the owner of Because You Are Polite LLC. You are invited to email your manners questions to her and she will respond as time and space allow. You may contact her at youarepolite1@gmail.com.
