gmhTODAY 20 gmhToday June July 2018 | Page 102

manners MATTER

BY KAREN LA CORTE

Travel

It ’ s that time of year when most folks want to take that long-awaited vacation . Kids are out of school , the weather is pleasant , and it ’ s the much-needed break from your daily routine . No matter what your reasons are for travel , whether business or pleasure , there are always a few snafus that may come up that need to be handled with grace and civility .
Karen La Corte is an etiquette and manners expert trained and certified by the Emily Post Institute in Vermont . She has been teaching etiquette and manners to children and adults for over thirty years . She is also a certified image and fashion consultant . Karen is happy to answer any personal etiquette or image questions you may have by emailing her at karen @ marxtowing . com

Although you can ’ t control some of the difficulties you encounter , like delayed or cancelled flights , you can control how you react . That ’ s where manners come in . There are three courtesies of travel etiquette that apply whether you are taking the RV trip with the kids or cruising the Caribbean .

Respect is the most important . Treat respectfully and be kind to those who are traveling with you , those whom you meet along with way , and those who serve you .
Keep your requests reasonable . Asking to switch hotel rooms is fine . Making a scene when all the rooms with an ocean view are booked is not .
Don ’ t leave a negative impression . You are a guest of sorts in another city or country . Avoid littering , confrontations of any degree , or arrogance that things are better back where you are from . Folks take pride in their country , customs and culture .
Traveling with family is one thing . Traveling with friends is another . I am very picky when choosing who I travel with . I know who I can be compatible with . I set up a small meeting before the trip to talk about what we all want to see , and do , what time we want to start each day , and how much money we should bring . I suggest we all put in a certain amount of money at the start of the trip and then one person is the “ banker .” This person pays for the food , drinks , activities and any other agreed-on items . If we run out of money in our kitty , we all pony up and put more in . If there is money left over at the end of the trip , we divide it equally . It ’ s the perfect way to make sure it ’ s fair and no one gets stuck with more expenses than others . This has worked for me whether it ’ s a trip to Vegas or Europe .
Pre-planning any trip makes for stress-free travel . I make a checklist days before I leave . This includes my wardrobe items ( including shoes , hat and jewelry ), medicines , toiletries including sunscreen , personal or business documents , photo ID , and passport if necessary .
I recently took a trip to Hawaii . Since I was flying , I observed a lot both in the airport and on the plane . I will share a few things with you that caught my attention .
Make sure you check with the airlines on size limits for carry-on luggage and the number of pieces allowed . Be prepared for security . If you get wanded by a screener , or they go through your carry-on , don ’ t get upset . It ’ s their job . Be respectful and kind . Remember you can ’ t be too safe nowadays when traveling by air . Have your ticket and ID ready . Wait until your boarding time . Find out early which rows board first . Be patient . Be mindful of others waiting as well . Don ’ t put your luggage or purse on the chair next to you . Leave it open . Don ’ t talk long or loudly on your cell phone .
When boarding , never push ahead of others . Be patient with the elderly or folks with children . Take your backpack or carry-on in your hands in front of you . This helps you avoid bumping into aisle-seat passengers with your bag as you make your way to your seat .
Put your bag in the overhead bin , wheels out , and place your smaller bag underneath the seat in front of you . ( If you ’ re sitting in the bulkhead , all bags go up in the bin ). If you ’ re wearing a coat , wait until the end of boarding before your put it in the overhead bin , since it can easily fit into the remaining space . If you want to sleep , reserve a window seat . Be kind about the armrests . It ’ s an unwritten rule that the middle seat gets both armrests . Wear earbuds and keep the volume low when listening to music , watching a movie or playing video games . Always smile and be courteous to your seatmates . Please bring activities to keep your kids busy , like coloring books .
If you bring food onboard , make sure that the odors aren ’ t going to offend others . Be showered with clean clothes . That said , make sure you don ’ t wear too much perfume or after shave . And while I ’ m talking about the nose here , don ’ t change a diaper in a seat . Take the baby to the lavatory . Don ’ t stay too long in the bathroom . Touching up makeup or doing your hair can wait until you ’ ve landed . If the person in the aisle seat is sleeping and you need to get out of your row , softly say , “ Excuse me ,” and if necessary , tap him lightly on the arm . Oh , and my pet-peeve , putting your seat back without regard for those in back of you . Folks could be eating or working on their tray .
Treat the flight attendants with respect . They are not servants and work extremely hard to make your trip a pleasant one . Don ’ t drink too much . Alcohol hits harder at higher altitudes . Keep noise to a minimum when traveling with friends . Try not to schmooze in the aisles .
Upon landing , wait until it ' s your row ’ s turn to deplane . Be patient . Be considerate of those around you . Thank your flight attendants and pilot on the way out . Smile . Hopefully you ’ ve made a new friend or two with your good attitude and open mind .
Safe Travels !
102
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JUNE / JULY 2018 gmhtoday . com