Coffee Break

November 2013

The last decade or so has been witness to a big boom in the coffee scene here in the country. With local and foreign brands popping up from one street corner to the next, stopping by a coffee shop to grab a latte or a frappucino in the middle of the day has become a part of people’s daily routines. Cafes have been the standard hangout for many—either to spend time working remotely, to hang out with friends after dinner, or even to spend a few minutes getting a cup of joe before your morning workout.

With so many coffee shops and coffee drinkers around, people have had many a good (and disgruntled!) experience at their favorite place. Etiquette comes into play even as you sit down to relax with a cup of coffee. The next time you go get your red cup Christmas drink at Starbucks, or drive over to your neighborhood café, remember these tips to keep your baristas and your fellow coffee fans happy.

Don’t be a mooch.

WiFi is typically given free at most establishments—that doesn’t mean you have license to sit in the same spot for six hours, nursing your one cup of coffee for the entire duration of your stay. Sure, cafes are built to keep customers in, but show some respect to your fave place by spreading out your orders. Have a sandwich to go with your drink, or consider getting out of the WiFi zone if you’ve been there for over two hours.

Know what you want.

Designer coffee gives people the ability to customize their drinks according to very specific requirements. It takes over a minute these days to give a special order—make sure it’s what you want so you don’t change your mind as the barista hands you over the drink. You’ll end up disrupting the whole flow, and leaving other people in line upset.

Respect other people’s listening space.

Coffee shops offer customers ambient noise and music that is toned down and easy to work with—that’s why so many law students reviewing for the bar like to hang out in cafes. Don’t give other customers a hard time by talking loudly on your cell phone while inside the premises—if you can’t miss a call, step outside and give others an uninterrupted coffee shop experience. If you’re hanging out watching a move on your laptop or listening to music, remember to plug those headphones in.

Pick up your order.

You might be engaged in conversation with a friend and end up not hearing your name being called out by the barista. If you haven’t gotten your coffee yet, stay alert and on your toes. Having a coffee order sit by the pick-up counter isn’t only confusing to other people waiting around for their drinks, it’s also a headache for baristas to deal with so much coffee traffic. Plus, you wouldn’t want to sit with a cooled down cup of “hot” mocha, would you?

The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The Value of Time

October 2013

Filipinos have earned the reputation of arriving late—so much so that “Filipino time” has become the rule rather than the exception. While traffic jams, unexpected flooding and freak accidents on the road have become part of our daily commutes, using traffic trouble as an excuse shouldn’t be acceptable. Arriving on time is a sign of respect to whoever you are on your way to see, whether you’re attending a business meeting, going to lunch with a friend, or off to a parent teacher conference.

Leaving at a responsibly early time will give you enough leeway, and is also the best way to reach your destination without feeling rushed or stressed out. That said, exceptions are still made and proper etiquette does allow a grace period for late arrivals.

Check out this time guide to see what’s considered polite (and not), whether you’re on your way out or waiting for someone to arrive. And remember, technology is there to serve us—if you know you’re running late, text ahead of time.

Dinner parties.

You want to get there a little past call time, only because it is considered rude to arrive too early at a party—you want to make sure the host has everything sorted out in terms of prep before you walk in. 15 to 30 minutes late is acceptable, but anything more is not. You don’t want the other guests to go hungry because you haven’t arrived.

Restaurant reservations.

Five minutes tops—the restaurant will be holding your table and you don’t want whomever you’re meeting to be sitting there alone.

The movies.

Aim to get to the cinemas at least when the previews are being screened. Not only does it disrupt everyone’s attention when you walk in during opening credits, you’ll also be missing a chunk of the movie.

** Same goes if you’re attending a sporting event or going to the theater.

Big conferences or work events.

10 to 15 minutes is acceptable, especially in events where people come and go in droves and all that’s needed of you is to register at reception. Avoiding too big of a delay, however, will ensure that you don’t miss any of the important parts of the program.

A wedding.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. You don’t want to be walking in the ceremony a few seconds before the bride does. It is only polite and respectful to come in and allow yourself to settle before such an important ceremony starts.

The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Kids with Manners

September 2013

There are a plethora of articles, surveys and studies that talk about how kids these days are not growing up with the same values that our grandparents and parents espoused. While it can be argued that living in the age of social media, information technology, and gadgets that evolve in the blink of an eye have changed our value systems as a whole, there are certain facets of propriety that remain the same, no matter what.

Dealing with kids and teaching them the very same manners that you grew up with as a child can be tough, but that doesn’t mean that you should ever back down from the challenge of raising children that know and practice respect by heart. Here are a few quick tips that can help any new parent with their kids, and give second- and third-time parents a refresher on keeping the little (and not so little) ones in check.

Every request should begin with a “Please.”

It’s the magic word, after all. Parents need to practice this around the house too—kids, after all, mimic what they see and hear from the role models they find in their own family.

Wait until you are spoken to.

Kids, used to being the center of attention and underneath the spotlight at all times, can tend to barge into adult conversations all the time. Teach your kids that they should wait ‘til it’s their turn before speaking, unless of course there’s an emergency that needs attending to. Make it clear what you consider and don’t consider as an emergency situation!

Ask when you don’t understand something.

This will take kids many steps forward, whether they’re in school or toying with an appliance in the house that they’re not sure they’re allowed to tinker with or not.

Stay positive always.

Teach your kids that while everyone has negative thoughts, they don’t necessarily have to be shared with everyone and at all times. If you need to comment about someone, say something positive instead. Compliments cost nothing and make someone’s day better.

Say “Thank You.”

Even the littlest things merit a “thanks.” When your kid is over at his friend’s house for a play date, teach him to say thanks to the parents. When your daughter’s godmother gives her a gift for no reason, teach her to say thank you. Saying thanks to everyone, especially the household help, is a trait that will benefit your child and everyone he encounters for the rest of his life.

Accept favors graciously.

Kids sometimes commit to doing favors for parents or elders, but do them grudgingly. Teach your kids the value of being gracious, even when being told to do something. It’ll teach them to open their hearts and their minds to helping others and seeing the value in that act in itself.

The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Workout Well

August 2013

People go to the gym or their various workout studios for different reasons. Whether it’s to unwind at the end of a busy day at the office, to find some calm and peace of mind away from all the noise at home, or to really just find a place to concentrate on getting your body tight and toned, your heart pumping, and your muscles working. Whatever your reasons for visiting the gym may be, it’s inevitable that you will be running into people—gym instructors, teachers, desk attendants and fellow students all share that same workout space with you.

Keeping everyone happy while on their individual roads to wellness is something that every student should adhere to, regardless of their fitness goals. Take these considerations in mind the next time you make it to your gym—exercising fitness etiquette will benefit everyone, after all.

Stay Clean.

With people in such close quarters with each other, sweating it out, staying clean and fresh even before hitting the weights or going on the treadmill is absolutely important. Take a quick shower if you’ve been out under the sun all day prior to your workout, and pack on the anti-perspirant as well. Avoiding displeasing body odor is just common courtesy to those around you.

Avoid Strong Scents.

You may have showered and you may be powder fresh, but spritzing on cologne or perfume before a workout is also a no-no. You may think that your signature scent is pleasant, but in a confined space, it could come off as disconcerting to those around you. Save your fragrance for after your workout, when you step out of the gym.

Go Silent.

As with any space where people need to be focused and concentrating, it’s advisable to turn your cell phones to silent. Hearing a text come in the middle of a workout or even standing next to someone taking a work call while you’re busy doing crunches can be extremely distracting and takes away from the sometimes-meditative experience of getting physical.

Read the Rules.

Every place has its own set of guidelines when it comes to working out. Some classes are strict about people coming in on time, while other studios have an open door policy that allows people to walk in as they please. Wherever you go, familiarize yourself with how things work from everything to studio hours to paying for memberships, which facilities you can use to what promos you can avail of.

The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Shop Talk

July 2013

One of the musts that come with keeping a house, whether you’ve got a fully functioning four-bedroom or a simple studio apartment, is keeping your pantry, your refrigerator and your supply closets well stocked. Regardless of how often you make that essential trip to the supermarket, it’s important to keep to the rules of etiquette. After all, everyone’s got shopping lists to get through and it’ll help to stick within the rules, to help all shoppers move smoothly through their To Do’s!

Respect everyone’s space.

Supermarket aisles don’t exactly provide the widest, freest space for shoppers. It might take some delicate maneuvering to ensure that your cart isn’t blocking an entire aisle and causing cart traffic. Be mindful of where you park your things, try not to dominate any one area so that the flow of people is regulated, and you don’t get into a jam with fellow customers.

Watch over the kids.

Most kids love a trip to the grocery store. There’s just so much for them to see, a lot of space to run around with, candy to pull off the shelves, and carts to sit and speed on. As a general rule, parents should keep their eyes on their tots at all times—more than that, however, moms and dads should also make sure their kids sit well-behaved and don’t cause a ruckus, disturbing the supermarket peace. If you see a rowdy bunch of kids running past you though, try to be as understanding and patient as possible—chances are those kids are stressing out their mother more than you.

Don’t be a lazy returner.

It happens all the time. Something catches your eye—a pint of ice cream or a 10-pack box of assorted cereal. You go about your own business, roaming the aisles and 30 minutes later you decide you don’t want that cereal anymore. Do you suffer through the trip back to where you started or do you shelf your cereal on the wrong aisle instead? Give the grocery store employees a break and help keep things in their proper place. You owe them that.

Stay patient at the register.

Don’t heave and ho and tap your feet when the person in front of you is taking forever—unfortunately for you, he got there first and deserves the spot, no matter how long he takes. If it’s the person at the cash register taking forever ringing you up, try to be as diplomatic as possible. Nobody likes a dramatic scene at a place as mundane as the supermarket.

The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.