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Correcting People

I know people that are a lot worse than me at correcting people that are wrong. But, that doesn't mean what I do is right. It just means I'm not as bad as I could be.

If I'm speaking with people, and they say something along the lines of "I seen that movie the other night..." I can let it go. My stepdad would say (no matter who the person), "You mean you 'saw' the movie the other night?" And they'd just stand there confused.

Sure, if you're speaking to children, it's good to teach them. But other adults, it's probably hopeless. And then you can sound like a jerk.

I had two incidents the other day...one I corrected someone, and one I didn't.

I went to a party at a restaurant. And, it was unclear in the invitations, what you were getting at the restaurant. It mentioned appetizers and drinks, and ordering off a "special menu". But I heard a few people at the party, wondering if the food was all paid for by the people throwing the party (it wasn't).

Appetizers were brought out, after many of us had already ordered.

I heard a few people complaining about this. And, I thought about pulling the person aside that threw the party. Or sending them an email.

A lot of people don't realize, that etiquette dictates if you throw a party at a restaurant, you pay for the guests. So many people nowdays, don't do that.

They think inviting people to a restaurant is great, because they don't have to do a lot of cooking or spend a lot of money on booze.

And a lot of younger people are used to going to restaurants with their friends, and everyone ponying up for what they bought. So this isn't such a weird transation, to go to a party a friend has at a restaurant. But think of it like a wedding. You bring a wedding gift. And, you get a meal.

Imagine if a wedding reception was at a restaurant, and you were paying for what you ordered.

I didn't tell the person throwing the party, because she still hooked everyone up with appetizers and a few drinks. And, one of her relatives was complaining so much about it, I'm sure she'll hear from her.

But I did something my girlfriend thinks is insane.

My newspaper delivery person, left a Christmas card with the paper. The card, of course, had an envelope that was self-addressed, so I could send them a tip.

This didn't bother me in the least. Because, it's the one time where you can't hand the person a tip, since I'm sleeping at 5:30 a.m. when they arrive. And they do deserve a tip. They are there everyday, even holidays, or despite heavy rains, and attempted robbiers (you know how many stories I've read about newspaper guys getting robbed?)

I sent the guy (maybe it was a woman...it's a Vietnamese looking name, and I'm not sure) $20. But I included a note, that explained not everyone celebrates Christmas. And, it might be more to their benefit to have a generic card that says "Happy holidays."

I explained that I had no problem with it, and I enjoy Christmas cards. I didn't explain I was a non-practicing Jew. I just told them that it would be a shame to deliver to an atheist, or Muslim, Jew, or whatever other religion, and they don't send you a tip simply because they were "offended" by your Christmas card.

My girlfriend told me it was the most insane letter ever. And maybe it was. But I did it with the best of intentions.

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I know people that are a lot worse than me at correcting people that are wrong. But, that doesn't mean what I do is right. It just means I'm not as bad as I could be.

If I'm speaking with people, and they say something along the lines of "I seen that movie the other night..." I can let it go. My stepdad would say (no matter who the person), "You mean you 'saw' the movie the other night?" And they'd just stand there confused.

Sure, if you're speaking to children, it's good to teach them. But other adults, it's probably hopeless. And then you can sound like a jerk.

I had two incidents the other day...one I corrected someone, and one I didn't.

I went to a party at a restaurant. And, it was unclear in the invitations, what you were getting at the restaurant. It mentioned appetizers and drinks, and ordering off a "special menu". But I heard a few people at the party, wondering if the food was all paid for by the people throwing the party (it wasn't).

Appetizers were brought out, after many of us had already ordered.

I heard a few people complaining about this. And, I thought about pulling the person aside that threw the party. Or sending them an email.

A lot of people don't realize, that etiquette dictates if you throw a party at a restaurant, you pay for the guests. So many people nowdays, don't do that.

They think inviting people to a restaurant is great, because they don't have to do a lot of cooking or spend a lot of money on booze.

And a lot of younger people are used to going to restaurants with their friends, and everyone ponying up for what they bought. So this isn't such a weird transation, to go to a party a friend has at a restaurant. But think of it like a wedding. You bring a wedding gift. And, you get a meal.

Imagine if a wedding reception was at a restaurant, and you were paying for what you ordered.

I didn't tell the person throwing the party, because she still hooked everyone up with appetizers and a few drinks. And, one of her relatives was complaining so much about it, I'm sure she'll hear from her.

But I did something my girlfriend thinks is insane.

My newspaper delivery person, left a Christmas card with the paper. The card, of course, had an envelope that was self-addressed, so I could send them a tip.

This didn't bother me in the least. Because, it's the one time where you can't hand the person a tip, since I'm sleeping at 5:30 a.m. when they arrive. And they do deserve a tip. They are there everyday, even holidays, or despite heavy rains, and attempted robbiers (you know how many stories I've read about newspaper guys getting robbed?)

I sent the guy (maybe it was a woman...it's a Vietnamese looking name, and I'm not sure) $20. But I included a note, that explained not everyone celebrates Christmas. And, it might be more to their benefit to have a generic card that says "Happy holidays."

I explained that I had no problem with it, and I enjoy Christmas cards. I didn't explain I was a non-practicing Jew. I just told them that it would be a shame to deliver to an atheist, or Muslim, Jew, or whatever other religion, and they don't send you a tip simply because they were "offended" by your Christmas card.

My girlfriend told me it was the most insane letter ever. And maybe it was. But I did it with the best of intentions.

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