Dear Baby Seven Billion:

Dear Baby Seven Billion,

Welcome to the world!  Being the 7,000,000,000^th person born on earth is pretty significant. May you have a long and happy life!

I don’t want to trouble you with the problems of our world just yet—you have plenty of time for that.  But I hope you were lucky enough to be born into a family who loves you unconditionally and who will teach you the lessons of respect, kindness and gratitude.

As a somewhat famous person, I’m sure you will get lots of advice, tips and hints for things like success and happiness.  Here’s my best advice, Baby Seven Billion:  Be nice. It doesn’t cost anything so if you were born to a poor family you can still afford it.   And if you were born into advantageous circumstances, it’s still free—and still important.  Say hello to people and smile a lot. If someone scowls at you, they’re probably just having a bad day.  A smile won’t make their day any worse and will usually make it better.  You’ll find out just how well this works the first time you smile at your mom and dad! Practice kindness, be inclusive and do all you can to make others feel comfortable.  Be thankful for all things great and small. It’s called good manners and many people have forgotten about them these days.

Men and women of all races, religions and nationalities are working to cure diseases, solve environmental problems and conquer space.  Maybe you will be among them—we can certainly use a lot of help with our earthly problems.  Or maybe you could start a new movement:  Civility.  We could use a lot of help with that, too. 

Have a great life, Seven Billion.  We’ll be looking for that smile.

Manners for the Museum

With no end in sight to soaring temperatures for several more months here in Florida, museums and art galleries make for cool and enticing outings. Museums and galleries are thrilled that you are visiting but a few common sense social conventions are worth reviewing before you arrive. 

·      The most important thing to remember is that there’s no right or wrong way to look at art. 

·      The operative word here is “look”. Touch with your eyes, not your hands. Oil and dirt from fingers and hands can damage valuable paintings, ceramics and other items on display.  Refrain from touching anything, even when there is not a sign that says “Do Not Touch” or “Do Not Sit.

o   NOTE:  In some museums, there is a section just for kids that might be “Hands On”.  These are awesome places for a little creativity, but make the sure that “hands on” stays in the hands on department!

·      Most museums and galleries have a “No Photography” policy.  Ask if you can take photographs, even without a flash. This is not an “ask forgiveness” moment.   Cell phone photos and videos are still photos. It’s not just your photos that are harmful—it’s the light and heat produced by multiple photos over a long period of time that can damage valuable items—you don’t want to be part of the problem.

·      Use inside voices. While yelling through the galleries might produce a cool echo, it will also produce a few not-so-cool looks from patrons who were expecting a quiet visit.

·      Be careful with large purses or backpacks.  You don’t want to knock over the Ming Vase or anything else--priceless or otherwise.  Leave the big bags behind or ask if there’s a locker you can use--better safe than sorry.

·      Turn your cell phone off in any public building.  The marble floors and high ceilings of a museum or gallery will only make your Cee Lo Green ringtone more noticeable.  If you must leave your phone on, turn it to vibrate or silent.

·      If you are lucky enough to have a docent help you (a docent is a trained museum volunteer who will guide you through the exhibits), listen and be respectful.  Questions are usually welcome and the docent will appreciate them at the right time.  They will also appreciate your courtesy.

·      If you have a question or don’t know where to go or what to do, ask the docent, a staff member or someone from security.

Objects that are on exhibit in a museum may belong to the museum, or might belong to a collector, an estate or it may a travelling exhibit.  The museum itself, though, is an important asset to your city.  It enhances the lives of all citizens and contributes to the charm and attractiveness of the place where you live.  Cultural activities attract people and new businesses to the city.  Treat the museum with all the respect that you would treat your own treasures—this treasure is partly yours, too.

Don't Let Your Manners Take a Vacation

Summer has arrived.  The livin’ is easy and the traffic is light.  Dress codes are more relaxed and our schedules are less rigid.  It’s time for more socializing, a lot of “out and about” time and of course, the time-honored family vacation.

If you are lucky enough to travel this summer, you won’t need to pay a baggage fee to take your manners along.  Smile, be patient and practice the Golden Rule.  This isn’t always easy when airports, security lines, food kiosks and airline employees are stretched thin.  Take a good deep and treat others as you would like to be treated.  You’d be surprised how far a kind word or random act of courtesy can go.  Here are a few hints.

At the Airport:  Arrive early. This helps keeps your stress level low.  Your fellow passengers who are running late will have enough stress to go around and they may come down with a case of poor manners.  Just give them a big smile and treat them kindly.  Maybe they will pay it forward.

On board the airplane: 

·      Eat before you board the plan.  Taking food on board should be the exception, not the rule.  If you must take food on the airplane, choose carefully—almost any food item can make the whole plane smell and not all of your fellow passengers love Chinese food or a juicy burger.  

·      If you talk on your cell phone while the plane is on the ground keep your voice low.  Talking loudly in such close quarters is just plain rude.  Talk quietly—or just text. 

·      When reclining your seat, do it slowly.  A sudden recline can topple drinks and spill whatever is on the tray table for the passenger behind you.  Straighten your seat at least a little bit during snacks and the occasional meal—this lets the person behind you eat more easily. 

·      If you have to get up during the flight, try not to grab the back of the seat in front of you. If your action happens to wake up the passenger in front of you, he will definitely be grumpy. 

·      If you see a couple or family who would like to sit together, offer to help them out if you can. You might be in the same situation sometime. 

·      Help anyone who looks like they are having trouble getting their carryon in the overhead bin.

·      Store anything you might need during the flight, such as books, a computer, DVD player, cell phone or an iPod, under the seat in front of you.  Getting up and down to get something out of the overhead bin is aggravating to others, especially if you are in a center or window seat.

·      Try not to invade your seatmate’s space.  Turn the volume on your iPod or portable DVD player to low, and keep trash to a minimum. 

·      When it’s time to deplane, wait your turn and get off row by row.  If you have a tight connection, let the flight attendant know.  The flight crew will usually ask that passengers with a tight connection be allowed to exit the airplane first.  

Be mindful that most people traveling--even during the summer--are business travelers.  You're most likely going to have way more fun than they are over the next few days so give them a break when you can.  Enjoy the friendly skies!