Congratulations, President-Elect Obama

You worked hard and you deserve it. Your acceptance speech was gracious, forward-looking and uplifting. It was a pleasure to vote for you and a pleasure to watch you win.

John McCain, too, deserves Kudos for his gracious, professional concession speech. McCain wasn't my pick, but I admired how professional and polite he remained, even when there were hecklers at his events. He always kept it above-board.

Cheers to you, Mr. Obama. I look forward to the next four years. Couldn't have said that 8 or 4 years ago.

Thank you.

Those Pesky Political Phone Calls

When you get an unwanted phone call -- from a pollster, stranger, telemarketer, etc. -- please just say, "I'm not interested," or, "I'm not comfortable talking about this, good-bye," and then hang up.

I've been calling for my candidate of choice these last three days. I'm happy to say that of people who do answer, most are kind and polite, even the ones who don't support my candidate, but some just blatantly hang up. Where are your manners, people?

Oh yeah -- and get out and vote on November 4.

Thank you.

The 2nd Presidential Debate - Oct 7 2008

When you finish a Town Hall Debate, the polite thing to do is stick around and chat and shake the hands of the audience members that came out to see you.

immediately and not talk to your (potential) supporters. I'm referring, of course, to the The rude thing to do--and best way to show you don't care -- is to leave the soundstageMcCains, and I don't dare to link off to anything that might benefit them.

Michelle and Barack Obama demonstrated true grace, but, more so, that they care by sticking around after the debate. The Obamas chatted with, shook hands with, and took pictures with everyone who cared to in last night's audience.

Mr. Obama demonstrated grace under pressure and kept a cool head. He shows real class, and manners. Who do you want in the White House? "Cooler heads will prevail," they say, and I say, so do polite ones.

Basic good manners around politics and email

Wow, never thought I'd say this, but today, I agree with Roger Ebert. He's got a nice little bit on his blog today of what constitutes good manners. To Ebert's entry, I say, "two thumbs up!"

And while we're talking about manners and politics this election season...

A lot of letters have been popping up in the advice columns, carping (rightfully) about getting politically-tainted emails from a friend or loved one. Said emails usually bash the recipients preferred candidate, or glamorize the sender's preferred candidate.

A note from the Etiquette Bitch: I realize you love your candidate, but please, please, please -- I plead to both parties--don't send such missives. Whether it's your opinion in an email, or a link to a Rolling Stone story about Palin's lies, or the latest digs on politico, just don't do it. Here's why:

1. your vitriol is unlikely to sway the recipient into voting for your candidate
2. the email will not change his or her mind
3. the emails are usually unwelcome (ergo, slightly rude)
4. it's an unproductive use of your energy


If you really care about your candidate, go volunteer for a few hours, write letters to your representatives about the change you want to see, or do something immediate that will have a positive impact in your world: spend time with your kids, clean up your lawn, plant a garden. Sing a song, buy the Flight of the Conchords CD, or go work out at the gym.

While I love, love, love our right (a right that needs to be protected) to free speech, I can't see the benefit of sending a one-sided missive that causes bad feelings between friends and family. Yes, I want you to express your opinion in an open, respectful forum, but one-way bombardment tends to ruffle the feathers. And usually has zero effect.

How about some two-way dialogue?
For an example, see here.