You've Got Mail

May 2011

E-mail has become part and parcel of our daily lives, whether it’s in the office or even among family and friends. Getting in touch with people has never been easier, more convenient, or more instantaneous because of technology. With e-mail becoming so accessible these days thanks to the onslaught of smartphones, high-speed Internet, and wi-fi, many of the do’s and don’ts of e-mail have become easily overlooked.

.

Keep these basic tips in mind before hitting send, and maintain that sense of propriety and etiquette at all times, no matter what type of message you plan on delivering.

..

BCC Benefits.

Not everyone appreciates having their names and e-mail addresses published, especially in letters that are sent out in bulk. When e-mailing a big number of people, use the BCC feature instead to keep everyone’s identity private, or go the extra mile and send your message out individually. ..

.

Subject Counts.

The subject field in every letter you send out is important—it gives your recipients a quick idea as to what your letter contains. Be particular about what you type in—go for a specific subject title, rather than something vague so your message is not overlooked.

..

Stay Succinct.

Reserve long drawn out stories for face-to-face conversations or even snail mail—shorter messages are more appropriate for e-mail. The same goes for any heavy attachments—small photo files are acceptable, but large files that can take up memory are better sent after you ask your recipient whether it’s all right to send out a big file first.

..

Watch your Keyboard.

Be wary of typing everything in all-caps for emphasis—using this format is the equivalent of shouting online and can be disrespectful. At the same time, many shortcuts are used to abbreviate certain emotions (emoticons, on-line shortcuts such as “BTW,” “FYI,” etc.)—be careful about using these symbols because they can transform business correspondences into casual letters, and at the same time can leave recipients wondering what the emoticons and abbreviations actually mean. -------

--

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.

--

--

---

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

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

Hop, Hop & Away at The Blue Leaf this Easter!

Nice to Meet You

April 2011

We encounter people everyday…on the road, at work, with family and friends, and even out on the street. Our interactions with people always begin with that first impression. Whether made through a brief handshake, a smile, or a friendly “hello,” introductions can set the tone for partnerships that can last a lifetime. Make meeting people count, no matter what the situation, and build relationships that are founded on respect, courtesy, and consideration even from the get go.

..

Make Eye Contact.

Looking the person you’re meeting for the first time in the eye shows you’re being attentive and focused. Being distracted during an introduction by looking over the person’s shoulder or glancing around the room says you don’t care very much and can be off-putting not only to strangers, but to the person making the introduction.

..

Follow Up.

It's only polite to respond after a formal introduction is made. Carry on with the conversation with a simple "Glad to meet you" and "How are you?" Peppering introductions with casual and easy statements add warmth and help establish a certain level of familiarity among people.

..

Watch for Errors.

It's common for errors to happen when two people are being introduced. If your name was mispronounced, if your job description didn't match your current work situation, or if the person introducing you was misinformed, then it's only right for you to correct the mistake right away. Prolonging the conversation without pointing out any errors will only make it more awkward later on.

..

Be Considerate.

Make sure that all introductions in a group are complete before starting an actual conversation with someone. While it's perfectly acceptable to talk to one particular person when group introductions are made, remember that excluding everyone else should be avoided and it is only polite to keep the topic open to everyone.

-----

--

--

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.

--

--

---

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

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

Proper Parking

March 2011

Traffic in and around the metro is one of the biggest challenges people in the city face. Whether it’s trying to find a free slot at the shopping mall on a Sunday or battling rush hour on the expressway, getting from one place to another can pose major problems to city folk. Another difficulty that vehicle owners face is parking—looking for an available space, maneuvering between tight spaces, and dealing with ill-mannered drivers.

.

Keeping your cool in even the toughest situations involves exercising courtesy, driving properly and maintaining calm. Follow these simple guidelines and eliminate road rage altogether.

-----

Save Space for Others. When parallel parking, don’t leave your car in the middle of a wide opening—it prevents other cars from benefitting from open parking spaces. Use the open space to maneuver easily into your spot, but back up or move forward to leave enough space for another car to park.

---

Exit with Care. After moving into a spot, exercise caution when opening your car door. You might have parked too closely to the next spot and might leave a dent in both your door and the other car if you open your door with too much force. Avoid any unnecessary damage (as well as alarms going off in the middle of the parking building).

---

Signal.

It should go without saying that you should signal before moving into a spot, but most drivers forget—causing unwarranted arguments between drivers all aiming for the same spot. Use those hazards and blinkers and claim that spot the right way.

---

Act Fast.

When backing into a spot, drive carefully but also be conscious of the traffic you might be causing by moving forward and backing up into the space. Taking too much time can cause traffic jams around you, leaving other drivers hotheaded. Put yourself in the shoes of those around you and act accordingly.

---

--

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.

--

--

---

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

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

Care for a Chat?

February 2011

The Internet has certainly sped up communications by introducing email and instant messaging. Chatting, whether through online web messengers or programs such as Yahoo! Messenger or Skype promotes easy access to family, friends and colleagues—no matter which part of the world they’re in.

.

With such an easy tool right at our fingertips, it is easy to forget that etiquette still rules, regardless of how advanced our technology may be. It helps to keep these simple reminders on hand, whether we’re signed in to catch up on the latest with our friends, or are on a business conference to discuss important professional matters online.

---

--

Manage your Multitasking. Talking to someone online means being able to juggle several tasks all at the same time. You can have your IM (Instant Messenger) on while finishing up that Excel file, typing out a report, or even while you’re on the phone with a client. With so many distractions, it is easy to lose focus. Pay attention to the task at hand and always stay alert, instead of leaving your chat mate on the lurch.

---

Mind your Status. Leaving your IM status “Online” means you are open to receiving all sorts of messages—regardless of the topic. If you are busy with work and would not like to be bothered, let your contacts know by changing your status to “Busy” or “Do Not Disturb.” It’s a polite way of telling them that you can’t answer their messages at the moment.

---

Do not Spam.

If the person you are chatting with has become unresponsive, do not send repetitive messages or “buzz” him constantly. Remember that every time you message someone, you could be reaching them in the middle of some important business (especially during office hours). Save any gossip or unnecessary catching up for later, when your friend seems more open to talking.

---

Stay Alert.

While IMs are private, for the most part, remember that your chat windows are open on your computer and can be seen by coworkers walking behind you, or bosses seated near you. It’s all right to keep the conversation casual, but remember to leave the ultra-private talk for chatting at home.

---

--

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.

--

--

---

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

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

Be Our Guest

January 2011

Entertaining people brings a lot of focus on being a good host—what food to serve your guests, how to make everyone as comfortable as possible, and how to set the mood right. Responding to an invitation, however, requires guest protocol, too. Being someone’s houseguest calls for etiquette that ensures both you and your host have a pleasant time throughout your visit.

---

--

Pencil It In. Make a definite date with your host for your arrival. Nobody wants an unexpected visitor to show up at his doorstep! Arrange for a date and schedule that is convenient for everyone, and inform your host of the people in your party, including nannies, pets, kids, etc. Also give a clear date and time for your departure—no host wants a guest who overstays his welcome.

---

Bring a Token. Whether you bring a homemade pie, a bottle of wine or even a pretty flower arrangement, gifting your host is always a good idea. It’s a delightful way of saying “thank you” for the invitation and a great way to show your appreciation for the warm welcome.

---

Let Them Entertain You.

If your host invites you to a weekend at their beach house and has some activities prepared for the family—water sports, island hopping, or a tour around town—it is always polite to join in the fun. You may have your own requests and those are just fine, but participating in your host’s itinerary is but expected of guests.

---

Volunteer.

Pitch in with chores, help clear the table, make your bed, and show some initiative. Whether or not your host takes you up on your offer is irrelevant—what’s important is the effort you give.

---

--

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.

--

--

---

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

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

Making the Write Impression

December 2010

December is a time for greeting cards, handwritten letters, and for those in a rush, quick emails wishing friends, family, and coworkers some holiday cheer. The art of the written word can easily be forgotten these days; and resurrecting the importance of a heartfelt note and a well-meaning letter is a gesture that goes easily with the spirit of Christmas.

---

You don’t have to be a literary genius to compose a sincere letter—all you need is to show your personality and write as though you are naturally conversing with your note’s recipient.

--

Keep It Casual. Just because you are setting things down on paper, does not mean you need to resort to formal language. Write as if you are speaking—your note will come off as genuine if you write the way you speak. Instead of saying “I cannot wait to see you,” go for the lighter-to-the-ear alternative by saying, “I can’t wait to see you!”.

---

Name Drop. Casually pepper your letter with the recipient’s name every now and then. It adds familiarity and even affection. Occasionally mentioning the person’s name will make him feel like you really are thinking about him as you write, and are not using a template.

---

Explore Exclamations.

To drive a point, use underlines, exclamation points, and dashes to give your sentiments more oomph and emphasis. Don’t overdo the smiley faces, however—a line must be drawn between emphatic letters and those that are too childish.

---

Never Ramble.

Nobody wants to read a long-winded letter that seems to have no end. Keep things short, sweet, and always to the point.

--

__

Holiday Greetings. Hang some cheer in your home by putting your favorite cards on display.

.....

Write It Down. Putting your thoughts on paper is a heartfelt way of expressing heartfelt wishes.

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.

--

--

---

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

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