When I was in second grade, I was invited to a

Birthday Party. I remember this particular party

because the children’s mother had bought and wrapped

share individual gifts for each child.

They were not labeled. You just got to a pillow

case, with eyes closed, and took out a gift

that became yours.

Mine was very special. I loved.

Maybe you’re old enough (or young enough) to

Remember the Little Golden Books? they were very

thin, tightly bound, almost, but not quite, a paperback,

and had gold leaf decorations.

My special parting gift was The Golden Book of

Manners.

What a great book! All kinds of animal friends.

invited to a birthday party. how to say hello

to those who invited you, and thanks for

all kinds of things that happened. How to do

I’m sure all the guests had a good time and were

not put aside. And especially remember

thank you all when you left.

I wish I still had that book, but it’s in print

in my brain I had read it many times. Can

I still see the elephant in his birthday dress.

suit and all kinds of animals ready for the party.

Yes, I wish I still had that book. I would be giving

away, and I know who I would give it to…

There was never a total lack of these basic manners

more obvious to me than today.

Today we did our best. We have been in our new

house in Las Vegas now for six months. We have been

busy tearing down popcorn ceilings, sanding,

caulked, textured, painted. We have fixed the

more outrageous issues (previous owner

he thought he was an electrician (!) oh yes). AND

slowly but surely our 1979 house is coming in

the 21st century.

After six months we were finally ready for our

first dinner guests; a couple who had extended

my husband special courtesy since we had sought

our new house and sold our old one, many miles away.

They put him up several times for the night,

fed him and they were just wonderful.

We wanted to say, “Thank you!” And for me,

I would meet them for the first time.

We planned a week in advance and they agreed.

come. They even offered to bring dessert.

So what happened? Around 4 o’clock we called alone

to make sure everything is on. In this point,

our dinner guest “sir” turns out to be 100

miles away and it won’t be close to leaving

at home until six, with an hour and a half

drive back to the Las Vegas area.

No problem we say, we are waiting for you

arriving. The fact that it was Friday had

he completely forgot. It is not a problem,

we understood. They all get to work. Sometimes I

have trouble remembering which day of the week

It is also.

All we ask is that you let us know when

they came back to the city; we needed to give

they directions to our house.

And yes, he clearly said they were coming.

The six come and go. We assume that he

(and she?) are on the way – don’t call saying

they are not, they have been delayed. without calling

all.

Seven rolls around, 7:30 – when they should

in – no call. 8:15 roll around, 8:40 roll around

around – no guests yet.

Our family ate, without guests, at 9:00.

I started thinking about that Golden Book of

Manners.

Why in the world wouldn’t they at least do it over the radio?

(could) or call?

After reflecting on many different scenarios

the most likely is… A simple case of

really bad manners.

A phone call. Would it have killed them to call?

This couple surely needed to attend the party.

They kindly invited me to come back in the second

degree… and given that Golden Book of Manners!

Okay, so what does this have to do with anything?

do you like it?

Well… Do you market online?

Your website should reflect these same simple

principles Call it The Golden Book of Good Website

and marketing manners.

If your online goal includes any type of customer

service, keep these simple manners in mind.

Welcome and thank and treat your visitors

with respect and kindness.

Don’t waste hours and hours, months and months

building your website and advertising your

business if you plan to leave your copy of

The golden book of bus manners.

People online should be treated as their own

top guest – yes, the full VIP

treatment.

They don’t know you from Adam, but they might

be willing to trust what you are telling them.

They trust that after the money changes hands

will be there, possibly through thick and

thin – to make sure they get what they

paid.

Common courtesy, the golden rule and its

Little golden book of customs.

Do you want to be successful?

Just keep that Golden Book open at all times.

It’s amazing what common courtesy can do.

for you 🙂

I wonder if they will call tomorrow…