Gone with the wind....when flatulence strikes!

Greeting America, Imagine yourself at a elegant dinner party with friends and all of a sudden you feel the urge to pass gas. Now this may seem like a silly topic but this simple biological fact is sometimes unavoidable. We have all been there, and know how embarrassing it can be... so it is good idea to make sure that you know how to handle gas in a discreet and polite manner. Something about the sound of a human passing gas seems to make us naturally want to giggle. Within the confines of your private homes and amongst your family, folks generally handle these situations in their own unique ways. It is worth mentioning however that children often mimic the adults in their lives so you may want to set a good example for them early on. Growing up, my parents taught us that passing gas is a normal body function.(My mother is a scientist) However, in American culture, it is considered offensive behavior to break wind in polite company. When in the company of friends, associates or strangers it is best to ignore any obvious flatulence. This would include belching and/or burping. Most people know to say excuse me if they burp or belch loudly, but passing gas has more of a stigma and requires a little more tact. If someone has passed gas and the smell is overwhelming you need not mention it or comment. I would not recommend shifting the blame either, it only makes you look guilty.. (my boyfriend often claims that he "stepped on a duck") If you are unable to stand the smell or feel you may embarrass the person any more than he/she already is, if that is possible, then excuse yourself from the room for a moment, breathe some fresh air and compose yourself. Resist the urge to laugh or wait until you are far enough away from the flash point to laugh freely. If you are the person experiencing an episode of gas you should try to hold it in if possible until you can get to the restroom, closet, window, outdoors or at least away from others. If you happen to have a slip that everyone hears you may want to say something like, "Please excuse me" or, "I apologize, It seems my stomach is upset this afternoon. (If you haven't already died from embarrassment). I hope this post is useful in diffusing any embarrassing and potentially mortifying experiences. Have a great day friends!

New Podcast, Tips for planning, preparing and hosting the perfect dinner party!

upcoming podcast!

Stay tuned everyone for my upcoming podcast about tips for planning the perfect dinner party!

To Hug or not to hug?

Business almost always begins and ends with a handshake. This is a common custom in many cultures. The handshake serves as a greeting and  bids farewell. Not everyone likes physical contact and the handshake provides an appropriate way to establish a connect without trespassing on another's personal space. So what does one do when one runs into a hugger?

To hug or not to hug, that is the question. Are you a hugger? Have you ever been on the giving or receiving side of a hug that made the situation very uncomfortable? In some other cultures, kissing your friends on both sides of their cheeks is acceptable, especially for close friends. In American culture, some areas, particularly Southern states, a quick hug is often given. Similar to the European double cheek kiss, these hugs are usually reserved for close friends or longtime associates, but can happen without permission or request.

Consider for a moment that you are at the end of a business meeting and you are preparing to leave abruptly, your former colleague reaches out to give you a quick hug. Do you offer them a handshake, possibly making them feel like you don't want to hug them? Or, do you go ahead and extend a hug so as to not risk hurting the hugger's feelings?

Solution: Hugging is a very personal choice and varies from person to person. Family background, culture, and environment play a major role in whether or not we decide to accept or refuse a hug.
If you are in a situation where you know two people well and there are others in the party that you do not know well, you may try to start the hello or goodbye process with the people you do not know well first. This can be done by extending your hand for a proper handshake while still respecting their presence and space. Next, turn to your friends and offer them a hug. This way, no one is left feeling uncomfortable.

What if someone is reaching out to hug you and you do not know them well? When someone is coming in for the hug, be proactive and initiate a handshake. Extend your hand towards them and look them in the eye. Make sure your feet are firmly anchored so they don't shake your hand and pull you in for the hug. (This happens a lot with excessive huggers) Body language is a strong communicator and these actions should help the non-hugger avoid those unwanted embraces.

I hope this post helps folks avoid unwanted awkward situations!

Last minute idea for potluck!

This a great last minute recipe to make if you are invited to a potluck and do not have much time to cook an elaborate dish! It is fast and easy and always a crowd pleaser!
Oriental Slaw

1 package shredded coleslaw cabbage
1 package Oriental flavored Ramen noodles
1 bunch green onions -- chopped
1/2 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
Seasoning packet from noodles
2 tablespoons sesame seeds-optional
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Toast nuts and sesame seeds in a hot pan until golden and allow to cool. Mix coleslaw, onions, and broken-up Ramen noodles together in a medium-sized bowl, and add cooled nuts/seeds. Mix oil, sugar, pepper, and Oriental flavored seasoning packet together and pour over slaw mixture just before serving. Stir well to get mixture evenly coated then throw it in a container and your off!

 

Photo Source - http://img.food.com/img/recipes/28/16/44/large/picZvIQtM.jpg

So you've been invited to a dinner party....

So you have been invited to a dinner party, and you  aren't sure what would be an appropriate gift for the hostess. Well friends, I will share with you some helpful advice to help you in deciding what to present your hostess with upon arrival at the dinner party.

When selecting a gift for the host/hostess of a dinner party, don’t expect it to be served while you are there. Remember that this is a gift, not an accompaniment to the meal. If the hostess wants you to bring a dish to share, she will ask you during the invitation.

I would discourage bringing a bottle of wine, this may seem like a good idea, however, it is considered quite rude to show up to a dinner party with a bottle of wine, as it may be considered an insult to the hostess in her taste in wine, and may keep you from getting invited to future dinner parties.

Note: If the invitation clearly states "BYOB" then by all means, do bring a bottle of your favorite wine, to drink yourself.

If you are invited to a dinner party at a restaurant you do not really need to bring the hostess gift. However, if the host is paying the bill for the entire party, a gift will be much appreciated. You don’t have to match the price of the gift to the bill, but consider bringing something you might bring to a home dinner party.

If you know the host or hostess very well, consider a gift that stirs up a memory of a time you spent with them. For example, if you both enjoy the same types of entertainment, the hostess will probably appreciate a DVD, CD, or tickets to an event. However, if you don’t know his or her personal taste, consider a bouquet of fresh flowers (not roses, or carnations) or a gift basket with items most people enjoy.

Be discreet when selecting the gift. You certainly want to avoid anything that could potentially offend the host or hostess. You wouldn’t want to give a tray of summer sausage and cheese to a vegan, no matter how much you might enjoy that type of food. This gift is intended for the party giver, not you.

Remember that you don’t need to exceed your budget to give something meaningful. Not only will doing this embarrass the hostess, it might make you appear desperate for acceptance. Stay within your budget,  and know that the recipient will appreciate anything you give.

The following is a list of appropriate gifts for a hostess of a dinner party:

• Bouquet of flowers in a vase (not roses or carnations) Tulips and lilies are always a safe bet
• Boxed candies
• Potted plant
• Tin of cookies
• Decorator candles
• Guest soaps
• Flavored vinegars
• CD or DVD
• Tickets for a movie or event

And remember friends, always make sure you know what the dress code is, there is nothing more embarrassing that being under or over dressed for a dinner party!

That awkward moment when......

Ever attend a party or social gathering only to realize to your horror that you are either completely over dressed or worse, under dressed? This happens all the time, and can easily be avoided by observing a few essential tips. First of all, always ask for clarification from the host or hostess about the dress code. Now for those of you that do not know, a dress code is simply a set of rules specifying the garb or type of clothing to be worn by a group or by people under specific circumstances: This critical conversation can save a lot of embarrassment! Once you have been told what the dress code is, make sure to select appropriate garments and accessories for the occasion. Examples of dress codes include but are not limited to:

Black Tie

A Black Tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates. A little black dress is completely appropriate for black tie functions.

Formal usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

A White Tie or Ultra-formal invitation requires men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Black Tie Optional

A Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Creative Black Tie

Creative Black Tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. He can go more modern with a tux -- maybe a black shirt, no tie. She wears long or short dresses or evening separates.

Sometimes, themed parties call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie, or other variations of Creative Black Tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look with a theme (for him, it could be a tux with boots and for her it could be a long dress paired with Southwestern style silver belt and jewelry).

Resort formal is a designation for warm weather locales (like a beach wedding) where the women can wear something bright and lightweight (floral sundress for example.)

Semi-Formal

Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses. The idea is to still be business appropriate -- which means nothing too sexy or slinky -- but still dressed up.

Cocktail Attire
Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him. The little black dress is the ultimate cocktail dress and appropriate for most special occasions.

Informal

Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

Festive Attire

Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday bent (i.e. a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).

Casual/Dressy Casual

calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sport coat, for her a dressy pants look. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for Dressy Casual.

Casual generally means anything goes (including jeans, sneakers, etc.) If the host or hostess wants a more dressed-up approach, it would be dictated on the invite.

And when in doubt about what to wear, remember you can always ask the host or hostess what they expect party guests to wear.