Today I took part in a discussion on queuing for BBC Radio Scotland. Since I was asked to contribute my mind’s being thinking about queuing. Napoleon said we were a nation of shopkeepers, but I think he should have said we were a nation of queuers. Everywhere is a queue: in the shops, on the roads, abroad, on the phone.
So, what are the rules?
1) If with several people, enter the queue as one group. Don’t take it turns to stand in line/reserve a place for your entire party.
2) Keep children under control. No free-range children, please.
3) Be patient – everyone in the queue is the same position.
4) Before you enter a queue (if it’s a lengthy one) make sure you’ve gone to the loo so you don’t need to disturb the rest of the line trying to get out.
5) Never smoke in line – many don’t like this habit, which leads nicely in to tip six…
6) Respect the personal space of others. No need to stand body-to-body.
Filed under: Media | Tags: bblb, big brother, compliment, dale, dress, neck, television, tv
Earlier this week I was on Big Brother’s Little Brother again, this time giving evicted housemate Dale some dating etiquette tips. For those that didn’t see it, I gave Dale a suggestion for a compliment he could pay a lady that wouldn’t backfire. I suggested he admire the neck-line on a dress. Now, in rehearsals, it was clearly explained and the production team and George, the presenter, knew what I meant and agreed. However, when it came to air time (live) I somehow forgot to explain that it was the dresses’ neck-line Dale should say he admires and not the woman’s! Hence why the studio rightly descended into a short fit of the giggles, and my phone shortly produced a barrage of texts from friends making jokes about necklines.
I’ll just explain the logic with the neck-line compliment: if a gentleman said to a lady, “is that a new dress?: it could backfire on them as she could have worn the dress on hundreds of occasions before in his company (she’d get cross for his lack of observation). Yet if you said something neutral like, “that’s a great neckline on that dress” you’re sure to offend no one.
Message to self for future: don’t be ambiguous on live TV again!
