Does the Host Always Pick up the Tab?

Hello!

Wow, Wednesday already! Is it really? Why is it that my Monday to-do list isn’t quite finished and it’s already mid-week? Is it just me (can’t be!), or are your to-do lists also seeming longer these days, too?

Before we jump into our Wednesday’s reader question, I want to share two updates!

Next week both my boys have end-of-year activities, and then Friday is their last day of school. I can’t have them watching TV all day while I sit type, type, typing away in my home office!

New Summer Schedule

So… for the summer, I’ll be cutting back on the blog. You’ll still receive simple, savvy, sincere tips for shining in your everyday interactions! You know I’d never leave you! I’ll drop by about once a week or so while the boys are home. I know you understand! With summertime activities on your plate and mine, we all tend to spend less time on the computer until the school bell rings again in the fall!

By the way, I’ll be on Orlando’s Positive Hits Z88.3 FM this Thursday morning from 8:00 – 9:00 AM EDT sharing everything you want to know about the ins-and-outs of graduation! Tune in and join me! You can listen live online from anywhere!

Extra Exciting News for Me and Hopefully for You, Too!

Here’s the short story! I’ve been teaching etiquette for about ten years. I first started with a curriculum program that I bought. As a mom, I quickly realized that while it was a fantastic starting point, it didn’t teach all the skills that matter the most to me as a mom, and to the other moms I talked to. It needed expanding!

With my five plus years on radio, three years on TV, and hundreds of speaking engagements, I had talked and talked and talked to thousands of people and gathered hundreds of questions. This fantastic and unique experience gave me the pulse of the skills we want our children to know so they can shine on their own!

Years ago I stopped using the initial curriculum I had bought, and I started writing and using my own. A local TV report was picked up by NBC news stations nationally and my modern manners course was called, “…The ONE class that could change your child’s life!”

I was so honored. I still am!

It was then that I knew I wanted to (have to!) professionally design and write the curriculum I had created. I want all our children to have the opportunity to learn these skills, and I want to gift other moms with the ability to expand their horizons!

How You Benefit

It took me years, and now I’ve assembled a dream team of creative, sought-after writers, artists, graphic designers, etc. to work with me in creating the best, most memory-making, extensive, fun, engaging, attractive, appealing etiquette program ever developed!

There is nothing, and will never be, anything like this!

In the months ahead I’ll be choosing a limited number of women to begin their own businesses as Manners Mentors®©!

If you’d like the potential to make excellent part-time income, expand your horizons, begin or broaden your ministry, impact the lives of your children, other children, and their families, and become the local expert in your hometown by becoming a Manners Mentor®©, then this might be the opportunity you’ve been praying for.

Become a Manners Mentor®©

Not everyone who wants to buy the program will be able to. I’ll hand choose the Manners Mentors®©. They’ll be ladies I feel will be successful with the program, represent it and me well, and who will positively impact the lives of their students as they mentor them throughout their childhood and teen years.

Because we are limiting the number of mentors (We hope you have a thriving, profitable business with waiting lists of people wanting to take your classes!) and because this is the most extensive and most reasonably priced etiquette business program available (I believe in giving you much more than you expect!), we believe this opportunity will sell out quickly!

I wanted to let you know now so this summer you can begin considering if being one of my Manners Mentors®© is something you’d like to add to your list of life achievements!

Your Next Step

In a month or so, the website will be up with all the details. I wanted you to have the first opportunity! If you want to be included, e-mail me at Maralee@MannersMentorBlog.com and I’ll add you to the list of potential mentors. I can’t answer your questions now because I’m still putting final details together.

I’ll contact you via e-mail with all the details when the time comes. (Sorry, I believe our Orlando market is already spoken for by ladies who contacted me when I briefly mentioned it in my former newsletter. However, other Florida markets and all other states are currently available.)

Just think—this time next year, you could own your own business and be earning excellent part-time income as part of a wonderful ministry. I’m excited with you and for you!

On to Etiquette…

Does a Host Always Have to Pick Up the Tab?

Can you invite people to a party and then ask them to pay their share? It’s a question I get a lot. In today’s economy, not many of us can afford to entertain the way we’d like to, so the question is a great one. With changes in budgets come changes in the way we celebrate. What doesn’t change is the standard of host as provider and guest as receiver.

Dear Maralee,

I’m planning a weekend away for my husband’s birthday next month at a resort about 60 miles from our home. On Saturday night I’d like to invite the six couples in our home group to join us for a surprise dinner party. Would I be expected to pay for everyone’s meal? If so, I can only afford to invite two of the couples. How can I invite them without hurting the feelings of the other couples?

Your weekend away sounds like you’re planning a wonderful birthday celebration for your husband! By definition of the words host and hostess, it’s your duty and privilege to provide food for each of your guests. This means you will need to pick up the tab for all six couples.

That sounds expensive, so perhaps you could alter your plans a little and still have a wonderful celebration for your sweetie!

Since the resort is 60 miles away, it might not be the best place to hold his surprise dinner. You’re staying all weekend, but you’re asking your guests to drive 120 miles round trip in just one evening. That’s a long way, and their comfort and convenience are important.

Your idea of inviting only two couples and picking up their tab is risky, and I just wouldn’t suggest it. Home groups are intimate gatherings. If word of the party got out, feelings could easily be hurt. Also, you don’t want to put the two couples you invite into the awkward position of keeping a secret; that’s never comfortable or advisable.

Why not let everyone celebrate by hosting a surprise, yet hassle-free, dessert party for your husband’s birthday one evening at home? This way everyone is included, and you can concentrate completely on each other during your weekend together at the resort!

Each year when I ask my husband what he wants for his birthday, he always gives me the same answer. (It’s a joke between us now!) Maybe your husband feels the same way about spending money on his birthday. Here’s how our conversation goes--

Me: “Hon, you know, it’s only about two more weeks ‘til your birthday! Think, what is it you want? What gift will make your birthday extra special?”

Kent: “My favorite gift of all time, of course!”

Me, in a teasing voice: “And that would be…”

Kent, in a pretend somber voice: “Our money kept out of the mall and in our bank account!”

With our new summer schedule, I won’t be with you until next week sometime. See you then! Send me an e-mail or comment so we can stay in touch!

If you’re new, please enter your e-mail address in the box at the top right of the page so you’ll get our next issue!

Be with you soon!

Blessings,