Latest news with #Grotts
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
How to be a better traveler: Etiquette tips for planes, houseguests and going abroad
The story of travel, particularly by plane, has been one of constantly changing rules and escalating frustrations. This century has been shaped by 9/11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which forever changed how we move through places of transport. But once you actually get somewhere, it's so worth it to leave your routine at home and immerse in another culture. With that in mind, I spoke to etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts, author of 'A Traveler's Passport to Etiquette in a Post-Pandemic World,' about how to be a good traveler and guest in the 21st century. Grotts, who is based in Healdsburg and worked in the San Francisco Office of Protocol, likes to remind people that travel is about sharing space. 'Travel isn't private,' she said. 'As such, you're required to be mindful. Every step of the journey — airports, airplanes, lobbies, crowded sidewalks — are shared space. We are constantly moving along with others.' If you think this book isn't needed in 2025, Google 'bad airplane behavior,' 'misbehaving American tourist' or 'houseguest nightmare.' No one wants to be the person who inconveniences locals or fellow travelers. But everyone should know how to tactfully handle those people should they encounter them on their journey. How to be a good air traveler When in an airport, Grotts advises to 'move with purpose.' That doesn't mean bulldoze people, but walk with a destination in mind and try to stay out of the way of anyone who looks like they're in a bigger hurry. Also remember the rules of the road: The left side of the escalator and moving walkway is for passing. Pay attention to the Transportation Security Administration agents. If they tell you to take off your shoes or take out your electronics or dump that bottle of water, don't try to negotiate. And don't rush the gate at boarding. 'It's not like you're taking the last chopper out of Saigon,' said Grotts. 'Get to the gate when they call you.' Once on the plane, politely acknowledge your seatmate — but remember, 'they're not your captive audience.' Take their social cues, Grotts said, like putting on headsets or sleep masks, which are clear signs they're interested in solitude. It's also good plane manners to cede both armrests to the middle-seat holder. 'It's the least you can do for the worst seat,' she said. How and when to tip Tip hotel cleaning services daily, not a lump sum at the end of the trip. Tipping drivers is something to factor into the cost of any ride. Usually 10%-20% for a private car will suffice. Local tipping customs vary internationally, so Grotts encourages researching to figure out whether tip is included on bills. When dining in some European countries like France or Italy, for instance, a service charge often covers the costs of table service. That means tipping 5%-10% is a bonus. That should also be the range for tipping in bars, taxis and hotels. Asia's tipping culture is also different in each country. China, Myanmar, Singapore and Taiwan do not have a strong tipping culture, whereas hospitality workers in much of Southeast Asia — including Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia — are more likely to expect tips. When in doubt: Overtipping only costs a few dollars more. How to be a good guest in someone's home Hostess gifts, something thoughtful they're not expected to share with you, are a must when staying in someone else's home. Grotts likes homemade items: jams, preserves, anything from your garden. I'm also a believer in hosting them when you're out to meals and visiting places with them. Above all, 'don't treat them like a bed and breakfast,' said Grotts. Most importantly, do not overstay your welcome. Mark a clear departure date, and make sure your host is comfortable with the extent of your visit. A few days after your departure, follow up with a handwritten thank-you note. How to be a good guest in a different culture You don't go through all the hassle of traveling to live life exactly as you do at home, so don't expect that when traveling elsewhere, Grotts said. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable in a new country. You're going to stumble (like accidentally insulting a Belgian by thanking them in French), but when are you going to see these people again? Just try your best. When in doubt, observe how the locals dress and behave in certain spaces. 'Learn the basics — hello, please, thank you, excuse me — in their language,' Grotts said. 'These are the words you should be using at home too. Your manners don't go on vacation when you do.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
An Etiquette Expert Is Begging You to Never, Ever Show Up to a Party at This Time
We've all heard the term 'fashionably late' when it comes to social functions. No one wants to arrive at a gathering too early and hover anxiously around the host, or interrupt them as they put the final touches on the decor. But when it comes to arriving late to a party, it can be difficult to discern what an acceptable arrival time is. Should you follow the start time listed on your invitation as closely as possible, or hold off until more people have arrived?Although every party host's expectations are bound to be different, etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts of Golden Rules Gal warns that it's often better to be safe than sorry when it comes to planning your arrival time. As she puts it, being too 'fashionably late' isn't an indicator of your busy social life. Instead, it's often plain disruptive.'Arriving late to a party isn't a grand entrance,' Grotts says. 'It's a gamble, impolite and poor timing.'Still, you might find yourself wondering what a good rule of thumb is for event timing. At what point should you notify the host that you'll be late? If you insist on being fashionably late, exactly how late can you be without being rude? And what's the ideal arrival time to aim for in the first place?Below, an etiquette expert answers all the questions you might have about party arrival As a rule of thumb, it's better to arrive early and wait for the party's official start time than to show up long after your fellow guests have already made themselves comfortable. That being said, it's best to avoid showing up before the host has said the party will start unless you've been specifically invited to do so.'A good guest honors the host's rhythm, not their own watch,' Grotts says. 'If you must, drive around the block until the set time.' If you're aiming to be on your best behavior, being as punctual as possible is key.'There's a fine line between fashionably late and rudely disruptive,' Grotts notes. 'Respect the invitation as much as you'd want your own time to be respected.'Related: Your 'fashionably late' window depends on the exact event you're going to. For instance, Evite professionals note that guests at gatherings like dinner parties should arrive within 15 minutes of the stated start time, while the arrival time for larger parties or New Year's gatherings is more flexible. However, when in doubt, Grotts recommends showing up slightly earlier than you think just to be safe.'Remember it this way: Behave a little better than what is asked of you,' she says. 'To be fashionably late should be stylishly timed, not selfishly timed.' Grotts recommends letting your host know if you'll be more than 30 minutes late to the party, since 'anything beyond that is inconsiderate.'When in doubt, she says, 'reply early, arrive graciously.''One of my favorite memes [is]: An invite is a gift,' Grotts adds .'Responding on time is how you unwrap it!' Up Next:Lisa Mirza Grotts, of Golden Rules Gal
New York Post
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Woman slammed for sneaking this bizarre item into Broadway show: ‘That's insane'
Most of the time, when audience members enter a theatre to see a Broadway show, security checks their bags and they are required to walk through metal detectors, as a safety precaution. Despite those typical protocols, one woman allegedly snuck a can of tuna into the theatre — and then had the audacity to open it in the middle of a show to eat it. Alyssa Naka Silver, briefly shared her experience with the tuna eater on TikTok. In the video, the content creator is mugging at the camera with overlay text reading, 'Me turning to the woman who opened a can of tuna and ate it during the second act of Cabaret last night.' That scenario is a head-scratcher, for sure. People in the video's comment section were just as appalled as Silver. 'A can of tuna is allowed in a theater but God forbid I bring in an electrolyte drink for my medical condition,' one person asked. People in the video's comment section were just as appalled as Silver. Towfiqu Barbhuiya – 'Like WHY do you need your can of tuna in the middle of a cabaret? That is an at-home activity,' another commenter asked. 'But also, forgetting etiquette for a second. The second act of Cabaret runs for about 45 minutes. Could you not wait until you at least leave the theatre?' a great point, one commenter wrote. Speaking of how to behave appropriately in a theatre, etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts told the Daily Mail, 'Your seat is not your living room. Show respect for those in the spotlight: actors, musicians, dancers, and fellow patrons.' That means not eating random foods or scrolling on your phone in the middle of a performance. All theatre-goers should follow proper etiquette. Di Studio – 'The only spotlight should be on the stage, not your phone. A glowing screen is disruptive to everyone. Power down and tune in,' Grotts told the outlet. Although it may be tempting to rip open that bag of chips halfway through the show, Grotts said to save it for afterward. 'If it makes noise, it doesn't belong until intermission,' the expert said. 'The general idea is that you are not at home. You're in public and other people are around, so not bothering them is key,' said host of the etiquette podcast 'Were You Raised By Wolves?' Nick Leighton, according to the Daily Mail. 'This includes bothering them with your noise and with your smells.' And everyone knows a can of tuna is definitely smelly.
