In honor of Memorial Day, I dedicate this week’s column to the memory of my father, a World War II veteran who gave me a love for what I call the “foundation of etiquette.”
Command Sergeant Major Joseph Duncan tried to instill his brand of etiquette when home on weekends from the base:
- “No reader can be a fool” he said repeatedly. As an avid reader of the classics, he felt that the best minds that ever lived still spoke from the bookshelf.
- “Your opinion is not valid if you have not tried it.” This covered a wide range of issues; from judging others based on popular opinion, to not attempting a difficult task because it was deemed ‘impossible.” I quickly learned that what ‘everyone’ said about someone was no excuse for me to join the chorus without my own experience.
- “Absolutely no whining!” I remember him speaking harshly to my aunt, who loved to complain about “hard times.” He felt that the time we took to complain could be spent doing something to change the situation.
- “It is okay to fail. Home is always here.” When I wanted to leave home and country at the tender age of 23, due to a love of adventure, he told me, “I have brought up my children to have sound judgment. If this is what you want to do, try it. Home is always here if you fail.”
My father’s gift of roots and wings has lasted me a lifetime. I wish the same for you, young parents who are raising children. Give them the greatest etiquette training of all: the confidence to try, to pursue what might not necessarily be your dream for them, all the while assuring them that they have your support if they fail.
Beauty Tips – Facial Exercise
Lift that forehead, as it takes the rest of your facial muscles with it, whether up or down. Place your index fingers or all fingers along your hairline. Push them up, while pushing down with your eyebrows. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat five, then 10 times as your muscles strengthen.
Next, place your forefingers under your eyebrows. Gently push up while pushing down with your eyebrows. This exercise quickly raises your eyebrows. Moisturize before exercising.
Phillipa Morrish is the president of Etiquette Training International.
Etiquette Boss: Appearances do matter