Meeting Etiquette from Miss Manners

I can't believe how rude some people are when others give a report. They get up, talk to each other, interrupt, text, talk on phones, etc. , including some Board members!!

Someone doing needlepoint would be welcomed. At least they are listening!!

What gets me are the people who bring their kids to the meeting and let them yak (as kids do) and run around the room while we're trying to conduct a meeting. And we've had people answer cell phones in the middle of the meeting and proceed to have a conversation.

I can not imagine someone being distracted because two ladies are doing needlework on a board meeting. They are worse distractions.

I can see it now; next to the red circle with a slash through a cigarette for no smoking and red circle with a slash through a revolver for no guns we now must post a red circle with a slash through a needlepoint needle.

Anne,

I think you forgot to insert a smilie face! LOL Sure wish I knew how to insert Michele's LOL!!!!

BTW, by "needlework" (which I do a lot of!!) I took that to mean any type of embroidery and counted x-stitch. Crocheting (which I also do a lot of!!) and knitting are usually referred to by those names.

Darn, I was hoping to post before Michele and reassure George she and I are busy repainting the red shed....purple!

I'm with Mary on the appropriateness of those dangerous needles. My wife just picked up some used ones at Value Village...they're made of bamboo. Ever had bamboo shoved under your fingernails..ouch!

reading this has brought a few Friday laughs. But the real question is how
did we make it this far as a society??
Jackie

Having just joined this site, and already applied what I have gleaned from the numerous learned members, I was browsing to see what other type of topics had been discussed,and came across this one.

I've lived in this development for six years, and started my third term as President in January. I've attended every annual meeting. I have never seen, and would be shocked to see one of my neighbors knitting, texting, talking, goofing off, letting the kids run wild, or any other inconsiderate, disrespectful and selfish behavior. Everybody who actually shows up, shows up because they are interested in their neighborhood. Would they rather be somewhere else? Oh, yeah.

Multi-tasking is so yesterday. No, wait. Multi-tasking is so today! Yesterday we actually had manners. So, the relativism of "there are a lot worse distractions," quite misses the point doesn't it? It's not about comparing distractions. It's about honoring the social contract. Just remember the next time you are trying to talk to your kid and she is making no eye contact, there is no verbal exchange and you are trying to communicate with her while she's texting, watching t.v., or flat-out ignoring you. If this is okay with you, than break out those needles.

Dorothy

I find nothing rude or bad mannerly about a resident knitting or crocheting during a board meeting.

But I guess that's just me.

There's that Scotch guy again.

Alas, it is clear we are forever gone from the days of the great orators, filling the halls, where truly common folk, in the non-pejorative sense of the word, would dress in their Sunday best, and, of their own volition, sit for two, three HOURS just to hear what someone had to say. No Power Point. No cell phones. No undivided attention. No knitting needles.

There is a certain sense of class when one's attention is focused on the speaker and only the speaker, whether it is a Board, a friend or a child. One of my favorite book titles is, "Don't Just Do Something, Sit There!"

So, while I concede we all learn differently, to those who must be doing something all the time, think about your neighbor, or your co-worker or anyone other than yourself who may not be able to concentrate while the klicking of the needles, or the tapping of the keys, next to her is piercing her brain. If it doesn't bother you, but you know it may bother someone else it should be a very easy thing to put aside for the common good for one little ole' hour, yes?

Dorothy

Dorothy writes:

>>>There's that Scotch guy again.<<<

Actually, my anscestors hailed from county Wexford on the Emerald Isle.

Scotch is a rare treat. Irish is forever.