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Being
the Dream Guest: Part II
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*A
monthly column devoted to helping women and men
be their best and most confident in any situation.
Topics include dress, body language, attitude and
etiquette.
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Victoria Seitz, PhD
Image Expert |
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Polite
guests reward the time and effort of throwing a party, and they
are remembered for this. Indeed, an essential part of projecting
the executive image is conducting yourself properly when invited
to a restaurant, a reception, or the company picnic. As your client's
or boss's guest, you are being evaluated in these environments.
Being a good guest contributes to your success.
Here
are some more tips that will ensure your reputation as a dream
guest:
- Even if it's your best buddy giving an informal potluck
supper, it's only polite that you let your friend know whether
you will be there and what you can bring. Always R.S.V.P.
- Guest should arrive to a dinner at the time specified
on the invitation. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you
should approach your host and apologize. The host will probably
serve you the course that they are on.
- For a cocktail party scheduled from 5 to 7 pm you
should arrive no later than 5:30 and leave no earlier than 6:30.
- A polite guest doesn't overstay his or her welcome.
If you arrived late, it doesn't mean that you can stay late.
Don't be the last to leave. And please don't wait for the host
to say, "Let's call it a night."
- If you're at a dinner party and the host offers you
something you can't eat or drink, simply say, "No, thank
you." Don't give your host the whole tale abo8ut being allergic
to the food or following a special diet.
- When you leave a party, say goodbye to the people
you were talking to and to the host. When saying goodbye to
the host(s), remember to thank them for the evening. If the
party has a guest of honor, it is important to say goodbye to
this person as well.
- When a single person has a party in his or her home
and does not have hired help, invited guests should offer to
help in the kitchen both before and after the meal. When the
main course is finished, it would also be a polite gesture to
help remove the dishes for the host. I believe the important
part is to offer the help. If the host says no, fine; however,
he may find it difficult to ask for needed help, so do make
the offer.
- When you are invited to someone's home for a cocktail
party, reception, or dinner party, it's always a welcome gesture
to bring the host flowers, a bottle of wine, a box of candy,
or some other gift just to show your appreciation for invitation.
Refrain from elaborate gifts; these can only make your host
uneasy and cause the other guests to question your relationship
with the host(s).
- Do not indulge in loud arguments or discussion. In
other words, don't get hostile with the other guests. If you
start to become angry with someone or something at the party,
either leave or get a breath of fresh air. You can just say,
"Excuse me, please, I need to freshen up," or just "Excuse me,
please, it's been a pleasure speaking with you, but I must tend
to an important matter; thanks again for the conversation."
- Again, after any party, luncheon date or event, write
a thank you not. You will be remembered and truly appreciated.
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Victoria
Seitz, PhD is a professor of Marketing at California
State University, San Bernardino and is author of Your
Executive Image, AdamsMedia, Inc, 2000 and Power
Dressing, DonJon Publishing, 1991. In addition to teaching,
Dr. Seitz was a fashion coordinator for Burdines, Florida
and in retail management for Saks Fifth Avenue, Phoenix,
AZ. Clients of Dr. Seitz have included Abbott Laboratories,
Northern Telecom, Texas Instruments, Yellow Freight Systems,
Sally Beauty Company, the United States Armed Forces, Travellife
magazine, YWCA and Accountants Overload, in addition to
law firms, hotels, newspapers, universities, banks, credit
unions, national and local community and professional organizations
nationwide.
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To learn more about Dr. Seitz please visit her website at www.cbpa.csusb.edu/vseitz.
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