Latest news with #DianeGottsman
New York Post
19-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
What state has the worst tippers in America? The answer may surprise you
Think you're a generous tipper? That depends on your ZIP code. Residents of New York and New Jersey are among the stingiest tippers in America, despite boasting some of the nation's highest incomes and priciest restaurant tabs, a new 2025 study shows. The Garden State ranked 35th out of 40 states studied with an average 19.5% gratuity, while New York came in 34th at 19.1% — based on full-service restaurant transactions — landing both near the bottom of BLogic Systems' 2025 'Generosity Index.' Advertisement 4 New Yorkers and New Jerseyans are among the stingiest tippers in America, despite having some of the nation's highest incomes and priciest restaurant tabs, new study shows. Andrii Lysenko – The index, created by the payment processing company, doesn't just measure how much people tip — it weighs average tip percentage against after-tax income to show which states are the most generous relative to what residents are earning. That formula dragged down high-income, high-cost states like New York and New Jersey — because tipping more doesn't count for much if your paycheck is bigger too. Advertisement That's why West Virginia — where an average tip was 21% — made the top of the list. Diners in rural, lower-per capita income states fared far better than their wealthier counterparts. 4 That formula dragged down high-income, high-cost states like New York and New Jersey — because tipping more doesn't count for much if your paycheck is bigger too. New Africa – Kentucky was a close second at 20.7%. California came in dead last, with an average tip of just 17.8%, and the lowest generosity score in the country. New York and New Jersey weren't far behind, joined by other high-income, service-heavy states like Massachusetts and Connecticut. Advertisement It will be a tall order asking New Yorkers to fork over more to move up the index, because tipping fatigue is real. 'Tip fatigue is a real phenomena,' said etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder of The Protocol School of Texas. 'People are frustrated when being asked to tip on everything from a cup of coffee to a drive-through bagel.' 4 California came in dead last, with an average tip of just 17.8%, and the lowest generosity score in the country. Meanwhile rural states like West Virginia and Kentucky topped the list. Kalim – 'Etiquette dictates that you show gratitude for good service,' she added. 'But asking for 20 and 25% on a quick counter exchange is not necessary.' Advertisement More than 80% of Americans say tipping has gotten out of control, according to a 2024 PlayUSA survey used in BLogic's analysis. Adding to the fatigue? Both states report higher median hourly earnings for waitstaff — $22.30 in New York and $18.60 in New Jersey, according to federal labor data — which may make some customers feel less pressure to tack on more. The BLogic study used 2025 data on tipping percentages, wage rates, disposable income and public sentiment on 'tipping fatigue' to paint a state-by-state picture of modern tipping behavior. 4 More than 80% of Americans say tipping has gotten out of control, as businesses continue to request tips on 'everything from a cup of coffee to a drive-through bagel.' seanlockephotography – Jay Zagorsky, economist at Boston University Questrom School of Business, said the study shows just how pricey dining out in the Empire State can be. He pointed to federal data showing New York's meal costs and per diem rates are among the highest in the country. 'A 19% tip on a $100 New York City meal is a much larger [dollar amount] than a 21% tip on a similar meal costing $50 in the heartland,' he told The Post. 'Any waiter or bartender good at math should love a 1 or 2 percent reduction in exchange for a bill that is 35% higher.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
8 Things You Should Always Bring as a Guest (No One Will Tell You This)
8 Things You Should Always Bring as a Guest (No One Will Tell You This) originally appeared on Parade. Whether you're headed to someone's home for dinner or an overnight stay, maintaining proper etiquette is key. "When someone offers to host you in their home, whether it is for a meal or a stay, you should be so inclined to bring a token of your esteem and affection," says Jodi Smith, an etiquette consultant and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. In addition to Smith, Parade chatted with Myka Meier, etiquette expert and founder of Beaumont Etiquette, Jenny Dreizen, etiquette expert and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, and Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, to learn more about what you should always bring as a guest to demonstrate good manners. Read on for a list of things you should always bring the next time you're visiting another person's home (or gathering). Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This 'Rude' Habit During Small Talk You should have a clean pair of socks on or nearby when visiting someone's home, especially if they have a no-shoes policy. 'Bringing clean socks or indoor shoes is both polite and considerate,' explains Meier. Not only does bringing or wearing a pair of clean socks show that you respect and will abide by the host's rules, but it also shows that you want to to actively do your part to ensure you are not creating any unwanted (and often avoidable) messes. Related: Is It Rude To Ask Guests To Remove Their Shoes in Your Home? An Etiquette Expert Weighs In A handwritten note can go a long way to show your gratitude and appreciation for your host. 'Even a short, heartfelt note says you value the invitation and the host's hospitality,' says Meier. 'It's a personal touch that's always appreciated." You can write it on a piece of paper (or card) containing their favorite color or decorations you know they'd enjoy for a thoughtful finishing touch. Related: Dreizen emphasizes the importance of bringing chargers for any devices you will have with you during your stay. "Firstly, we don't want to assume your host has the right cables you need," she says. 'They also might not be prepared to share, or might not have extra to spare.' The last thing you want to do is make your host feel as though you're imposing on them during your visit. Related: While you may have heard of bringing flowers to a date, etiquette experts encourage bringing flowers to your host. 'A simple bouquet in a vase or an arrangement is a beautiful way to brighten the host's space and saves them the trouble of arranging them during the event," says Meier. While it's the thought that counts when it comes to the flowers you decide to bring, she notes that it is best practice to present the flowers in a vase or an arrangement made by a florist for the best possible presentation. Related: Showing your appreciation for any kids (or pets) in the home can be just as important as showing that to your host. '[You can bring a] book for the children of the house or an approved treat for the pets of the house,' says Dreizen. 'It's good to make friends when you enter others' homes–especially with the children and pets!' While your host might insist that you sit back and relax during your visit, Smith notes that you should bring a helpful attitude with you from the moment you arrive at the door to the moment you depart. A helpful attitude can mean offering to help with the dishes, cleaning or making a meal (if appropriate).Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging You to Never, Ever Show Up to a Party at This Time If your host drinks (and is of age), bringing a bottle of their favorite wine or champagne can help create a celebratory atmosphere. However, you want to ensure that it is appropriate to bring for your visit. 'If you bring a bottle of red but the host is serving something that clashes with that, it can make the host feel awkward,' explains Meier. 'If the host asks you to bring wine, ask if they prefer white, red or even rosé."Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This Common Dinnertime Habit When it comes to gifts for your host, "anything with their personalized initials is a plus,' explains Gottsman. Although she recommends monogrammed napkins or tea towels, you can get creative with the customized items to tailor your gift to something they will like and find useful. Although you may have to expend some extra energy to turn this gift idea into a reality, your host will appreciate it. Related: 5 Things Classy People Never, Ever Reveal About Themselves in Public, According to an Etiquette Expert Smith notes there are some circumstances within which it is okay to arrive empty-handed, such as if you're on a tight budget, experienced travel delays or have already sent something in advance. That said, 'during your stay or immediately following, you should gift something to your hosts along with a heartfelt thank you note,' adds Smith. Remember, your gift doesn't have to break the bank. Work with your budget to ensure your host receives something from you (even if it's something as small as a refrigerator magnet) along with a 'thank you' note. They will appreciate the gesture—trust us. Up Next:Myka Meier, etiquette expert and founder of Beaumont Etiquette Jenny Dreizen, etiquette expert and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry Jodi Smith, etiquette consultant and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and the founder of The Protocol School of Texas 8 Things You Should Always Bring as a Guest (No One Will Tell You This) first appeared on Parade on Jul 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
06-07-2025
- New York Post
Employee divides office after creative response to a lunch thief: ‘Weird and selfish'
An employee's lunch theft woes – and his drastic solution – recently drew attention online in a tale that other office workers may relate to or understand. In a viral post on Reddit, the employee said his workplace offers a communal kitchen with one fridge. 'Over the past month, my lunch has been stolen five times,' the Reddit user said. 'Not just random snacks. Entire homemade meals I bring from home, gone without a trace.' He added, 'It's not just frustrating, it's expensive and messes up my day.' In an office group chat, the worker asked the unknown lunch thief to stop — but no one took responsibility. His solution? The desk jockey bought a mini-fridge and placed it under his desk, complete with a lock 'just for extra peace of mind.' 'Since then, no more stolen lunches,' he wrote in his post. But his solution was not well-received. The Redditor reported that one of his co-workers confronted him and called the fridge 'weird and selfish.' An employee posted on Reddit about his solution to a co-worker consistently stealing his lunch from the office refrigerator. nenetus – 'She said it made me 'look paranoid' and 'not part of the team,'' the original poster recalled. 'I said I was tired of my food being stolen, and this was the only solution that worked.' He added, 'She said I should've just brought stuff I wouldn't care about losing, like snacks or microwave meals, if I was so worried.' Since then, the employee has been subjected to snide remarks about locking up his lunch, he said, and he's 'starting to feel like the weirdo in the office just for protecting my stuff.' He asked others if he was wrong for 'locking up my lunch instead of letting this keep happening?' Commenters on the post, which attracted over 20,000 upvotes, almost unanimously sided with the frustrated office worker. '[S]ounds like [the other co-worker] is hangry now that she doesn't have free lunch,' one person wrote. 'I'd immediately get in contact with HR about theft and bullying,' a second user said. 'Just give the same energy back,' another person advised. 'They are treating it like a joke, so keep it at a joke level. Don't be serious.' Others thought the story was so outrageous it had to have been fabricated. 'There's no way this is real lol,' one person speculated. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! 'Which AI did you use to write this story?' another said. Fox News Digital spoke with Diane Gottsman, a Texas-based etiquette expert, to determine whether the office worker overreacted to the loss of his lunches. 'When you work in an office and have a communal kitchen, stealing someone else's food is not only childish and sneaky, but completely disrespectful,' Gottsman advised. 'It shows a lack of consideration,' the decorum pro added. 'This person attempted to bring it to everyone's attention by mentioning it in a group chat, but perhaps another option would be to go directly to the supervisor to address it more formally.' Gottsman, who owns the etiquette-focused Protocol School of Texas, said the office seemed to be 'full of cliques and bullies.' 'People making comments about a small fridge under someone's desk is petty,' she observed. 'It's simply not their business, much like any other item someone would bring to the office, like a fan or a favorite lamp for their desk.' Gottsman added, 'And, in this case, no, it was not in poor taste. They are trying to bring their lunch, purchased a small fridge they put under their desk, out of sight, and added a lock because there are strong indicators that food has been taken and it could happen again.' Gottsman encouraged the office worker to keep his chin up, and that the office bullies 'will move on to another office situation.' She suggested, 'Get with the supervisor, manager, owner of the company or HR to use your voice positively and respectfully.' 'Taking something from the kitchen, from a cabinet, from a shelf or anywhere else is theft — whether it's a sandwich, a stapler or money.'
New York Post
23-06-2025
- New York Post
Traveler's cruise takes a turn after family attempts to stop them from drinking alcohol — but they got the last laugh
Reddit user 'nurseB89' shared her recent experience on a forum in which people question whether they're in the wrong. The woman said the hotel where she was staying had club-style seating, with eight people per table paired together 'to encourage a sense of community and conversation.' Advertisement 'Last night, I was seated first and had a glass of wine,' the woman wrote. Soon after, she was joined by two adults and three children who were seated at her table. The mother of that family turned to the woman and said, 'We do not wish to expose our children to women drinking alcohol.' 'I smiled and said perhaps they should ask to move tables if it was an issue, but I would be drinking the wine,' the woman on Reddit wrote. 'They noticed I was on my own and made passive-aggressive comments about this.' Later, the woman got up from the table to get some food from the buffet – and when she returned, 'the wine had disappeared,' she wrote. Advertisement A waiter came over and asked to see her wristband, an indicator of all-inclusive access. He said that 'the family had told them I was underage and must have sneaked away from my parents,' nurseB89 wrote. The woman said the hotel where she was staying had club-style seating, with eight people per table paired together 'to encourage a sense of community and conversation.' triocean – The waiter 'was very apologetic and returned with a fresh glass of wine just as the family came back with their food.' Advertisement Instead of requesting to move to another table, the woman asked for the 'full bottle, along with a couple of shots of vodka,' she said. The family finally 'stormed out' after she drank the shots in front of them, she continued. Advertisement The woman's story sparked over 2,000 comments, with others mostly agreeing with her and questioning the actions of the mother. 'Then don't take your kids to places where alcohol is served,' wrote one commented in part. 'It's just WOMEN drinking alcohol. What the heck is that about?' wrote another. 'It's clearly not an issue with alcohol as much as it is with women. Sheesh.' Said yet another person, 'What about men drinking alcohol? Is that OK?' Other commenters suggested the mother's morals seem misguided. 'I can't believe this situation,' wrote one Reddit user. 'She doesn't want to expose her children to seeing someone drink alcohol, but she's willing to expose her children to her own lying!' 'Lying or hypocrisy?' asked another user. 'Bet the husband drinks and maybe she does when the kids are in bed. Trying to control someone else is sheer arrogance. Get another table, lady, and eat blindfolded.' Instead of requesting to move to another table, the woman asked for the 'full bottle, along with a couple of shots of vodka,' she said. JackF – Advertisement Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder and owner of the Protocol School of Texas in San Antonio, told Fox News Digital that in her view, the mother's behavior was 'inappropriate.' 'On a vacation, where the tables are open for anyone to sit, a guest should be able to order whatever they would like,' Gottsman said. Advertisement 'If the mother does not want her children exposed to alcohol, it's a personal, family preference and the rest of the table should not be expected to follow her self-imposed rule.' Gottsman added, 'If the mother was that opposed, she should have gotten up and taken her family to another table.' Fox News Digital reached out to nurseB89 for additional information.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Beach
Spending a day at the beach can be an absolute blast. Your fellow beachgoers, however, can make it decidedly less enjoyable. 'In general, etiquette is all about being mindful of other people, which certainly includes being mindful of other people at the beach,' Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the 'Were You Raised by Wolves?' podcast, told HuffPost. 'Although you're outside, you are not alone and your behavior can and does affect other people.' To help beach days more enjoyable for yourself and others, HuffPost asked Leighton and other etiquette experts to share some common faux pas they should avoid on the shore. Here are a few rude behaviors to avoid at the beach. 'Find a spot that is at least three paces from other's belongings,' suggested Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. 'The idea here is to give others a bit of personal space. The spacing should allow for beachgoers to walk between your towel and the other towel without kicking up sand on either.' If it's too crowded and you have to be a little bit closer to others, be extra careful as you walk by to avoid kicking up sand or otherwise disrupting their beach time. 'Don't assume other people want to talk,' said Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert, author of 'Modern Etiquette for a Better Life' and founder of The Protocol School of Texas. 'Watch their body language and if they engage, feel free to continue. If they put their ear buds in, it's a sign they want to be left alone.' Be mindful of the people behind you as you set up your area as well. 'Many beachgoers like to bring all the comforts of home,' Smith said. 'This is fine so long as it does not prohibit others from enjoying the sights. Your umbrella or tent should not inhibit other people's ability to view the water.' Continue to be mindful of the people around you if you decide to smoke at the beach as well. That includes paying attention to where you smoke and what you do when you're finished. 'If you are at a beach that still allows smoking and you want to light up, you will need to head way down the beach,' Smith said. 'Do be sure to dispose of your butts appropriately. It can be quite dangerous for birds, dogs and children to ingest cigarette butts they have found 'buried' in the sand.' Of course, every beach is different, but as a general rule, it's best to avoid feeding birds and other animals along the shore, as this can impact the local ecosystem. Take care not to disrupt them in other ways as well. 'Beaches allow us to connect with nature ― fish, snails and other living things,' Smith said. 'While it is fun to pretend that starfish is your pet, it needs to be returned to the water before you go home.' 'It's rude to shake your towel or sandy clothing near others or toward the direction of the wind,' said etiquette expert Juliet Mitchell, also known as Ms. J. 'Sand in your mouth, in your eyes and on your body doesn't sit well with others.' Smith echoed this rule ― recommending a 'gather, then shake' approach to the conclusion of your beach day. 'Walk away from the people before shaking any of your blankets and towels that have collected sand,' she said. 'The windier it is, the further you need to go. This does make packing up a two-step process, but waving sand in people's eyes is not a good way to end a great day.' 'For any games, find a clear area away from other people,' Leighton advised. 'Frisbees going overhead can make some people nervous.' In the interest of respecting people's space, establish some distance between your activities and other beachgoers ― both to avoid balls and other items whizzing by and for sand purposes. 'Set up your volleyball net away from other people,' Gottsman urged. 'Same goes for playing games in the sand that involve kicking up sand.' Another reason to set up your game far from others, cutting down on disruptive noise. Many people go to the beach for peace and relaxation. 'Things like music and loud cellphone conversations easily travel beyond the boundaries of your blanket and affect other people, so be mindful of what's escaping your bubble,' Leighton said. Pay attention to the volume and content of your conversations with your group as well. 'Watch your language, especially around children,' Mitchell advised. 'Be respectful, be considerate and be civil. No profanity and no fighting.' There's no excuse for leaving your beach area in a worse state than you found it. Littering is not just rude (and illegal), it's dangerous. 'Please do not litter, especially purposely, and clean up your area before you leave,' Mitchell urged. Both public and private beaches have listed rules and guidelines, and it's important to heed them. 'Follow the signs that act as warnings for your safety and the safety of others,' Gottsman said. Familiarize yourself with different flags and what they mean. Don't venture beyond the permitted limits. 'Boundaries are set for a reason,' Mitchell said. 'Stay within the 'swim boundaries' or other boundaries that could cause harm to yourself or others.' And don't just adhere to the explicitly written rules. 'All etiquette is local and it's important to learn and follow the local customs,' Leighton said. 'Every beach has its own.' The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Airport The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Dog Park The Rudest Things You Can Do On A Plane
