Etiquette advice from dealing with a bothersome co-worker to meat preparation
Q. I finally get to go back to work and one of my colleagues in a nearby cubicle is constantly coming over to ask a question about the project we are working on and I don’t really mind because she is still learning. But what I do mind is that she then starts asking me totally unrelated questions like what I did during the time we were all off work to keep from going crazy. Then she’ll start in about what she did. I don’t want to be rude to her, but I have a lot of work to do. Even if I turn back to my computer, she doesn’t “get the picture.” And if I do that, I feel like I’m the one who is being rude. She can see that I am busy typing something on my laptop, but that doesn’t seem to stop her. She is driving me nuts and definitely lowering my level of productivity.
A. Yes, she definitely sounds like she has become a nuisance. Here is a tactic you might implement which should not be offensive to her.
When you are typing on your laptop, reading or writing and she starts talking to your back, you could say:
“Oh hello, I’m sorry, I’m a little behind the power curve on this latest tasker, so can I catch up with you a little later Or stronger verbiage would be: ”I will have to catch up with you later.” Keep on working because if you turn around, no doubt she will hit you with a question about what you are working on and then you will be caught!
Q. Is it true that if you are dining in the same room as the Queen, you have to stop eating when she stops regardless of whether you have food on your plate or not or whether you want to eat some more?
A. Yes, that is correct. You wait to begin eating until the Queen takes her first bite and you totally stop when she stops. It is a sign of respect because she is the host. You need to practice eating a little faster and/or cut back the discussions with your tablemates. This rule applies to each course.
Burgers & steaks well done, please
Q. I have a “thing” about having my burgers and steaks cooked well done. If I am in a restaurant and I am served either one that is not well done, I politely ask if it can be taken back and cooked a little longer. So if I am at a BBQ at someone’s house and they make burgers and I am served one that is not well done, can I ask for it to be cooked a little longer or is that considered rude?
A. Yes, you can. As a matter of fact, it is a polite host who asks how his or her guests prefer to have their meat cooked. If that donot, you may certainly politely ask if your burger or steak could be cooked just a little longer. If the other guests have been served, be sure to tell them: “Please go ahead and start eating.”