Tak for Sidst

I realized today that I'm rude. Ok, maybe not rude but I'm lacking etiquette. It's not just me...is it my digital generation? Or Seattle (well, the casual atmosphere doesn't help) or is it just everywhere? Anyway, it came up today at lunch. I was with my cousin, aunt and mom and my aunt was telling me about a friend of hers who threw a grand, martha stewert-esque sit down dinner party for 15 guests: great wine, all home-made food, the works. And after the event he was surprised when he didn't receive one thank-you note, not one call or thank you email.

This is when I thought back my time in Copenhagen. One of the things I loved about the Danes is their etiquette. You always respond promptly to an invite, and once you commit, that is your evening. You don't plan anything for the rest of the evening...(the Danes have a word for this type of gathering -hygge- we don't have an English equivalent but read about it, it's beautiful.) Ok, but the best part, after any type of social gathering, no matter how big or small, you always call the next day to tell the host "tak for sidst" (thanks for the last). How could I have forgotten about this great tradition! I need to step that up again. It was always so wonderful to have a friend call after an evening and thank my roommates and I for hosting.

This made me think: I'm sure I am slipping in work etiquette...especially because I work in such a relaxed, open work environment (a start-up in seattle? I'm sure I could come in my pajamas and no one would say anything.) I started looking around...here's an etiquette quiz for work. I am happy to say that I knew most of these (yes, some are really obvious and make me worry if people don't know these things..but there were a few good reminders.) Example: drinking is so much more relaxed in a work environment. And though this quiz is for an interview, I definitely have some work examples of people hitting the sauce a wee bit too hard in front of colleagues.

Manners really should be brought back. I should start a list. Maybe I will. But my main goal for now: bring back "tak for sidst" Maybe I'll even invest in some good old fashioned thank you cards.

On a random (but yet oh so pop culture) note: What am I listening to? This npr podcast: Is Hooking Up the new Dating? Thanks roommates...