Every once in awhile I observe an interaction in a shop or restaurant that bums me out. Sometimes it will stick with me, and those ones end up on this site. For example, the other day I was in a Cafe Nero coffee shop and witnessed this exchange: Barista: What would you like? Customer: I’d… Continue reading You Think You Deserve Special Treatment in a Shop
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how to be a good host when guests stay with you in your home. Now it’s time for the flip side: how to be a good guest.* Planning Your Trip If you’re planning a trip to specifically visit certain people, or you’ve been invited by them, then… Continue reading Staying With Friends on Holiday
In the United States today, people are having backyard gatherings, grilling food, drinking beer. Or they’re going to parks and beaches. Tonight, many will watch — or even set off — fireworks (though hopefully they’ll follow my advice here). Ostensibly to celebrate the United States declaring independence from the the King of England. England …… Continue reading It’s the 4th of July
The U.S. Supreme Court has somehow, despite all evidence to the contrary, proclaimed U.S. President* Trump’s Muslim ban constitutional. The U.S. Government is holding small children in cages after having ripped them from their parents — who are fleeing for their lives — and they have no plan for reunification. Meanwhile, high schoolers and younger… Continue reading Fighting Injustice
Having house guests can be delightful — you get to see people you perhaps haven’t seen in awhile, they get to save on hotel costs. Everybody wins! … Usually. But it can also be stressful, as people are around each other nearly non-stop, routines are interrupted, and someone is inevitably in the shower for way… Continue reading Hosting House Guests
It’s been a few weeks since I last inducted someone to the Asshole Hall of Fame (hey Jeff Bezos, you just got what you wanted — no responsibility for the impact your company has on the city of Seattle! You continue to be an asshole!). So far, none of the assholes have redeemed themselves (in fact,… Continue reading Inductees Fifty-Six and Fifty Seven: Jeff Sessions and ICE
Sometimes I think I could write an entire book (or at least a thick pamphlet) about public transit etiquette. In few other situations are we a captive audience with no immediate escape, surrounded by strangers. To me, this means we need to take extra care that we’re considerate of those around us. As someone who… Continue reading Using Public Transportation
There is a girl in my daughter’s 1st class, let’s call her Jane. We’ve had some issues with Jane making other kids feel less than. She puts them on ‘good lists’ and ‘bad lists.’ She calls out other’s flaws like speech impediments and slowing running. There are often tears. She is a bully. None of… Continue reading Confronting a Colleague (At Your Child’s School)
Did you see this? Angry racist booted from eatery: ‘I pay for their welfare!’ I’m not adding him to the asshole hall of fame because that’s (currently) reserved for people who have a bit more renown in the world — think high-ranking government officers, business people, elected officials — not jackass attorneys who like their… Continue reading Quick Thoughts on a Racist Jerk
Summer is just around the corner, which for some folks means road trips, flights to new cities or new countries, kids home from school, and family visiting. If you’re anticipating some potentially uncomfortable situations, or are wondering if you could have handled a vacation issue better last year, send a question in, and I’ll answer… Continue reading Send Me Your Travel Questions