Beware: There are small talk criminals lurking everywhere. The coffee shop, your kids' school, the gym, the office, the dinner party. These brazen bullies strike quickly and without warning - and they don't care who they hurt. My ongoing series, “Talk Tyrants,” serves two purposes: it …
Should Kids Use Formal or First Names With Adults?
Dear Debra, School’s back in session and I am not sure how to introduce myself to children in my child’s class. There are some children in class whom I have known for many years, and they call me by my first name. But there are new faces as well, and I would actually prefer to …
Why A Handshake Gets A Thumbs Up.
My friend Molly recently told me about her son’s first day at jiu jitsu and she was, in a word, thrilled. “Griffin tried to fist bump the instructor and he said, ‘Oh, no, Griffin, we shake hands in jiu jitsu’. I was so happy! He’s learning jiu jitsu and proper manners all at the same time! …