When you’re in-flight you don’t get to choose your companions. You’re occupying a cramped communal space with a bunch of strangers, and the more thoughtful you are of one another, the better flight everyone will have.

I know you can’t control anyone else’s behavior, but at least you can do your part to make the time you’re sharing that space a bit more pleasant and civilized.

• Try to be aware of what you’re doing, and how affects the people around you. That can mean anything from not polishing your nails (the polish has an odor that you can smell 10 rows away) to not reclining your seat so far back that your head is in the lap of the person behind you, speaking loudly on your phone, etc.
• Don’t impinge on your neighbor’s space. No one wants your stuff under their feet, your elbows on their armrest, your magazine in their lap, or—certainly—your head on their shoulder. I always choose a window seat so that if I do want to nap or rest my head, I can lean against the window.
• Mind your children. I know little children sometimes cry because they’re bored or tired or because their ears are hurting from the pressure. Everyone understands that, annoying as that might be, it’s probably upsetting the child’s parents even more. But there are things you can control. Your kids should not be running up and down the aisle, kicking the seat of the person in front of them, screaming, or standing up in their seat and making faces at the person behind them. Bring quiet games or a video (with earphones) to keep them occupied; with games and bring food you know they like. The flight attendants will do their best to help you out, but your children are really your responsibility. [Read more →]

When visiting anyone its absolutely essential to arrive with a gift. I have sent these to many of my friends, especially those with children, with total rave reviews! Whether you need a hostess gift for someone who already has “everything”, a small token of your thanks for a great meeting, or a corporate gift (they will take care of that too), these absolutely delicious and unique treats are always a delightful choice.

Made here in New York, Eleni’s sugar cookies are available in a wide variety of shapes designed almost any occasion and they’re all made from the highest quality, one hundred percent natural (and certified kosher ingredients) hand iced in brilliant colors.

You can choose a box of iced cookies that say “thank you” in many languages, or, instead of fresh flowers send a selection of edible and colorful daisies. A collection of dog-related human treats will delight your dog-loving friends and golfers will smile at a boxful of balls, clubs, shoes, and even a cart.  Whatever the need or the occasion, its easy to find an irresistible sweet treat to suit every recipient.

There’s still a lot of controversy about whether or not it’s appropriate to send thank you notes via email. Sometimes, however, we need to send a note when we’re away (or the recipient is away) from home or when the occasion isn’t appropriate for a formal thank you note.

And some of us are just trying to go paperless. Now there’s stylish answer to the dilemma from Paperless Post—e-notes on elegant e-paper with customizable e-velopes, monograms, paper colors, and font styles. It’s the closest thing there is online to going to the stationery store and ordering personalized note cards.

One of the fonts I found even looks almost like my own handwriting (one of the notes I sent to a friend above). It’s also fun for the recipient to click on the envelope and see it open. The website is easy to navigate, and Paperless Post is gracious enough to offer a few introductory uses of the service before you begin paying.

No one wants to be told how to behave, and I certainly don’t want to preach, but as our culture becomes more casual, we’ve all developed a pretty laissez-fair approach to what’s expected in different social situations.

So, at the risk of sounding a bit school-marmish (and I apologize in advance if that’s how this comes off), I wanted to offer this gentle reminder that there are still some cultural rules that differ not only from country to country but also from one part of our own country to the next.

Whenever we travel, even within our own borders, we’re guests of the place that we visit, and to be a good guest we need to know and respect our host’s cultural expectations. There are many books and Web sites these days that offer quick courses in the cultures of various countries—from Italy and France to Japan and China—so that travelers for business or pleasure can be assured that they won’t inadvertently offend.

But when we’re in our own country we may forget that those differences still apply. People in the South, for example, are known for their gracious hospitality, but what goes along with that Southern charm is an attachment to old-fashioned etiquette and a dress code that leans toward formality—dresses, stockings, and heels for the ladies and jackets for the gentlemen.

People on the West Coast tend to be more casual and friendly, but they are also, in general, more environmentally aware and health conscious than those in other parts of the country.

And in the North East we can expect a faster pace and a more competitive spirit. Particularly in the big cities, there’s a “let’s get to the point and get on with it” attitude that can sometimes be disconcerting to those accustomed to a more leisurely approach to life.

So, wherever you’re going, learning what you can of what to expect and what’s expected before you get there can insure a more pleasurable experience for both you and your “hosts.”

Frances Cole Jones, author of How to Wow and The Wow Factor, knows what it takes to make a good impression in any situation. Practicing good “airplane etiquette” is one sure way wow your fellow travelers—and perhaps ensure that your own in-flight experience is more pleasant as well. Here are a few of her ideas on how you can lead by example.

Wow in the Air:

Thanks to the book tour for “The Wow Factor” I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on airplanes, and here’s what I’ve learned: off-site doesn’t mean off duty. The person you’re sitting next to might be your next, great business connection. With this in mind, I put together the following list of things to do…and not to do:

• While my mother has a long-sleeved shirt rule (she doesn’t want to feel someone else’s skin against hers) I’m not quite willing to go that far. I do, however, think it’s important to wear closed shoes, not walk to and from the bathroom in your socks, and not sport bare feet on the plane. Aside from safety issues of navigating an emergency in flip flops, and the hygiene issues of tackling the bathroom floor in socks, (“What did I just step in?”) those around you don’t necessarily want to hazard guesses as to the date of your most recent pedicure. [Read more →]