Cruising Etiquette...a list.

[Blazerboy]

:o Kenneth and Tammy- NOOOOO, I wasn't refering to your post, and Danno, I also wasn't refering to yours either!!!!:o

 

K & T, your points were right on target! Agree 100%, but wanted to add to your points that people shouldn't necessarily be offended by references to things like the ones my list, except when they're used to establish prestige, as your sister's tablemate did. Your poor sister- that sounds AWFUL!!! I'm with you, though, and love to hear about everyone's "story," as I call it- one of the fun parts of getting to know people on ships!

 

And Danno, my "yacht club" reference was about my experiences, not your post. Believe me, our 'yacht club' was about as fancy as my 8 year old car is- it's about sailing for the members, not snobbery, but I was just trying to point out the the term itself is one of those, like the others in my list that seems to cause some people to infer all sorts of things about you.

 

But reading back, it would certainly seem that I was talking about your two posts. Sorry for the misunderstanding, but isn't it nice to know we'd all approve of eachothers' behavior!:D

 

Now, as for the stories about boarding school...:eek: I'll save those for an evening in the Martini Bar!;)

 

Andrew

[ingrid295]

Use cell phones in your room. Why is it that people who need to use the cell phone every free moment need to SHOUT... I do not want to hear your mundane conversations in the airport, in line at embarkation, on the ship or ANYWHERE...

[Danno]

:o Kenneth and Tammy- NOOOOO, I wasn't refering to your post, and Danno, I also wasn't refering to yours either!!!!:o

 

Andrew

 

I never thought you were :D ....I love my yacht club...great folks, common interest, cold beer!!!

[nu2sea]

Danno, hope all goes well with Jib.:(

...

Here's a case in point to over-illustrate my thoughts: my Volvo. I think of it as an 8 year old stationwagon, a really practical car, and one in a series of Volvos that I've owned. When I use the descriptor of "I was driving my Volvo...", (Well, not a phrase I'm likely to utter, actually, but you get the idea) I usually imagine it says about me- "stable, family oriented vehicle- practical, safe, and a little dull." And yet some people react to it as though I've just said " I drive a fancy foreign car designed for yuppies who aren't patriotic, and only eat Brie on imported crackers..."

...

Andrew

 

Besides, we all know you don't only eat Brie on imported crackers, you eat lots of different cheeses on imported crackers!:D

 

Danno, I also hope all goes well for you and Jib. My first Tonkinese spent the first two years of his life in & out of the vet's office with upper respiratory ailments. My DH & I finally decided that it wasn't fair to Tonka Toy that we keep him alive (terrible quality of life, poor guy spent all of his time struggling to breathe) just because we couldn't bear to let him go. As a last ditch effort, we took him to yet another vet who set us up with the vet who literally wrote the textbook on soft tissue surgery. Within a month, his life completely turned around. At two he became our own personal Dennis the Menace. He is still my favorite cat as I am his favorite person. A rocky start does not mean that the road won't improve.

 

To get back on topic, please, don't critique the food and the service at dinner. To say the coffee sucks once is funny, to repeat it over and over every night is just dumb. Save the review for when you get home. But that goes back to, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Your dinner companions would much rather hear about what went right with your day than what went wrong.

 

Susan

[albertiger]

Please don't complain about people not speaking English, you're in THEIR country and should make an effort to learn a few words in their language. And please dont make a tour guide stop at McD's or KFC , then bring it on the bus and force me to take out my Glade!:D

[Schplinky]

No...my best is 13.5 miles from my home to yacht club...the last mile was tough...I lost about 100lbs and this is part of my plan to keep it "lost".

 

The first time I read this, I thought you meant that you lost he 100 pounds on that 13.5 mile walk. LOL!!!

 

I ran a few marathons a few years ago and lost thirty pounds. I found it. :(

 

Keep walking!

[Cruise Arizona]

I sometimes feel uncomfortable when discussing careers. It sometimes turns into a "my job's better than your job" kind of thing.

 

I am always curious about what different kinds of things people do for a living but I am unsure about what kinds of questions to ask that are appropriate.

 

I was at a wedding once where I had a great conversation with a guy who owned a "Classy Closets" franchise and his stripper girlfriend. You could say they were both entrepreneurs.

 

But other times I've been in conversations with people who are like what do you do....are you socially good enough for me to continue this conversation.

 

I'm not really speaking about myself because I am a full time Mom and volunteer, but I wouldn't want anyone to judge DH by his job description, thats a big part of him, but its not the whole picture.

 

Any suggestions on keeping the carreer conversation going the right way???

[Schplinky]

Seriously though, if you have to eat at the buffet, take only what you really think you will eat. I have a hard time walking through and seeing all the waste. If you really like something, you can go back for seconds if you are still hungry. All you can eat buffet is not a contest.

 

I'm with you and this is a part of the reason I'm ok with the price of the specialty dining. Seeing all that food go to waste is heartbreaking. It's a very sad thing that we have to prove our success by excess and waste.

[MajorsWife]

DH and I...first time cruisers....I think we're going to do just fine;) All of this seems to be common sense and manners...

Good reading on this thread...great idea.

....but guess i should leave the string bikini at home:confused:

LOL...Not!:p

[Schplinky]

Any suggestions on keeping the carreer conversation going the right way???

 

 

I would suggest asking people what the favourite part of their job is. All but the most mundane jobs should have a favourite part or what a great (or even bad) day means in their job. Asking people how their job is different than what people think it is can be interesting, too, if asked in an inquisitive and non-judgemental way. I also think that if you know someone who has had the same sort of job, you can relate their experiences to see if that's a commonality.

 

I think that in conversation, especially with strangers, what people search for are points of affinity and of interest. I think the prime questions people ask [in so many ways] are how are we alike and how are we different in ways that are interesting to us both. I had a great conversation with a funeral director once at a social gathering about what is essentially the pastoral role (be it in a religious or secular context) of their jobs and I found it really interesting. Another friend could not believe I had actually talked to the "mortician" about her job. It would be sad to have a job that was that isolating, I think.

 

I think if folks have a more ordinary job, asking them how they wound up doing that can seem judgemental, as can the "did you ever think you wanted to do something else" question. If you ask that of an astronaut or a surgeon, you're asking about the bold vision they might have for their life in space exploration or medical science. If you ask a clerk this, it can come off as asking if they were ever ambitious, before they settled for clerking.

[Schplinky]

Another spin on the what do you drive question is the fact that I don't. I am capable of driving and am even licensed to do so but I live close enough to work to walk and rent a car on those rare occasions where one is truly needed. I am lucky to live in a city with excellent transit and to have thoughtful friends who pick me up for things.

 

Tell people you don't have a car can bring saddened remarks and mumbled sorry's about asking. That seems odd to me.

[Cruise Arizona]

I think you have a good point about "What is the favorite part of your job" Even if someone has a seamingly tedious job, it is always interesting to see what they like about it.

 

As far as the morticians go, I have sung at a lot of funereals over the years and what I have learned that the job of funeral home personell is really about comforting the living rather than dealing with dead. When my Grandmother Died about 7 years ago, it was the professionalism of the team from the funeral home that kept us all grounded. I'll bet if they had to answer what they liked best about their job they would say the people they meet and the conformt that they are able to give to families.

 

Thanks for the pointers about discussing careers. I have to admit that sometimes when I hear of strange carreers I think to myself "can you make a living doing that"? Which is a totally rude thought and not something I want coming out of my mouth. I think that I can learn so much more if I gear my thought to what they like about the carreer.

[mechcc]

Back to original topic - "Do unto others as you woule have them to do unto you." That means pickup your cabin to allow your cabin steward to clean it properly, if you are the first to an assigned table and it has a sea view allow your table mates the choice seating the next night, don't save deck chairs and run off for hours, save only your mate's seat at the show. Smile and say please and thank you. It's your vacation, don't sweat the small stuff. Ignore other's bad manners until it really is intruding on your enjoyment. Then complain in a positive manner. Be fair. Play fair. Consider others.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Do not talk LOUD in hallways or even in your cabin. Do not let doors slam. Some people do want to sleep.

[Danno]

DH and I...first time cruisers....I think we're going to do just fine;) All of this seems to be common sense and manners...

 

If you've figured out this simple fact...you can cruise with Jill and I anytime...in fact we may decide to move next to you. Please forward your name and address so we can call the moving company ;) .

[Longboysfan]

For new cruisers, (and many old cruisers) a few do's and don'ts that I think are important while on a cruise...these are just my opinion...feel free to add.

 

-Run the correct way on the track...there's always one!! If you are on the track for a stroll, please don't walk 3-4 abreast...be aware people are trying to get by you.

 

Just a few that I think are important...any others group.

 

Danno - I try to run opposite every day. When running you are making your inside knee take all the turning force and stress. Going in the same direction every day is not good for your knee's. Walkers do not have that much stress as their speed is not as great. Liken it to a car goung arouns a sharp turn. And when running you are doing this 4 times a lap on the same knee. Multiply it by the number of laps and throw in how hard your running.

[Danno]

The stupid $#@%& I'm refering to ran the wrong way, everyday...while I wholeheartedly agree with the "knee" issue...it's really tough to make it work on such a confined track...I try to walk about 6am. So I usually don't create a problem for anyone.

 

The BEST situation anywhere is HALs retention of a promanade deck...big. wide, long, roomy...the only obstackles are the walkers and canes.

[CaptData]

I know the elvator question and scooter was on up the thread (95 MPH:eek: ). I do use a scooter and wait for people to get out then try to get on but others rush to get on then wonder why I cant (to full I do know how much room I take up). I have waited for several elevators then finally rush on at 95 MPH to get on. I can not use the stairs a little bumpy going down, especially head over heels. Not very lady like IMHO.

 

Please, if a scooter is there before you allow them to get on the elevator (it is their only option). I do not mind waiting my turn but waiting until the elevator is clear takes forever and it is not just take the next one because that one could be full too.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

[Host Walt]

The DO's:

 

Do smile a lot.

Do catch staff doing a good job and commenting positively about it to them.

Do remember how great it is that you can be on a gorgeous cruise ship enjoying yourself when petty annoyances occur, then accept them and move on.

Do make an effort to notice the shy young couple on their first cruise in the check in line and make a new friend.

[Danno]

The DO's:

 

Do make an effort to notice the shy young couple on their first cruise in the check in line and make a new friend.

 

I like that one A LOT!! I'll make it a point to look....

 

OT...Jib is doing better today...fingers crossed.

[MajorsWife]

[/center]

 

If you've figured out this simple fact...you can cruise with Jill and I anytime...in fact we may decide to move next to you. Please forward your name and address so we can call the moving company ;) .

 

Name and address sent;)

See you soon neighbor!

[Longboysfan]

The stupid $#@%& I'm refering to ran the wrong way, everyday...while I wholeheartedly agree with the "knee" issue...it's really tough to make it work on such a confined track...I try to walk about 6am. So I usually don't create a problem for anyone.

 

The BEST situation anywhere is HALs retention of a promanade deck...big. wide, long, roomy...the only obstackles are the walkers and canes.

 

Every day... Talk about swimming against the tide......

I'll agree with you one the track issue.

I try to get out at about 7:00am by about 7:30am the walkers are in full flight.

It's not fun to run and not fun to be telling them to move all the time.

It's their cruise also.

 

Yes. I'll give you the HAL wide deck. But I keep bumping my head on the life boats if I'm not careful.

[Danno]

In any instance where you track down a supervisor to complain...ie "our cabin has not been cleaned properly" you should be just as diligent in finding the supervisor to compliment a staff memeber...ie "our cabin steward is doing an exceptional job...thought you should know".

[Blazerboy]

Suzanne, I also demur sometimes when I sense discomfort at the table when the "What do you do?" conversation comes up.

 

Sometimes I'm self-deprecating: Oh, my job is consumes my life, so I don't want to bore you with it here, and I'd much rather hear more about the shore excursion you booked in ...." Said with an open smile. :)

 

Sometimes, I'm more blunt if it seems headed the wrong way: "Hey everyone, we're on vacation! No shop talk, or I'll be forced to tell you about when I worked for the sewer company, and what I found on the job!" Said with a big grin. :D

 

And when the dolt doesn't take the hint, it's "I run an escort service, and Ed, here, is one of my 'top producers!' Why, you interested?":eek:

 

But the other thing, and this brings this long post slightly more back on target, is to always assume the best intentions when fellow cruisers ask these questions, because we're not all born with the natural ability to socialize, and sometimes ask things in a way that is awkward, without meaning any offence. I know I stick my foot in my mouth often- just look at all the embarassed-face smilies I've used posting on here over the last year!:o

 

Andrew

[TechKnowBabble]

OT...:( Poor little guy is not so good...fever, tremors, no energy...we are praying, and the vet doesn't think, it's not Parvovirus...(if it is, I don't want to think about it)...he's in the hands of a great vet and we'll do whatever it takes...and we'll pray we're not saying good bye to another friend soon...too soon :( .

 

I'm not the praying type normally...but I'm prayinng up a storm for you and Jib. No one deserves this much heartache. Please let us know what happens.