Showing posts with label Quizzes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quizzes. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

How Good Are Your Manners? A Quiz

On a recent "Ladies of London (which by the way is a bit of a misnomer in that there are more American women on this show than British)," the American ladies were "treated" to an etiquette lesson by Rosemary Schrager, who I first encountered on the British TV show "Ladette to Lady."  In case you are interested, a Ladette is a British term for a young woman who doesn't wear her knickers, gets slamming drunk most nights and isn't known for her good manners.  The female counterpart of a "Lad," though for him, not sure about the knickers.  One of the Americans on "Ladies of London," Juliet, of the "I speak everything that comes into my mind," said, "We Americans don't do manners" or something like that.  And I thought...well, actually, I didn't just think, I talked right to the TV, "Speak for yourself, Juliet.  Some of us DO do manners."

So I decided to do a kind of Andy Rooney rant on the loss of manners in our society. 



But first, a quiz. 

We all love quizzes right? 

Since quizzes have taken Facebook by storm - "What Kind of Doughnut Would You Be? or "Which Housewife of Orange County Are You?" (I have to admit, I succumb upon occasion.  OK, I succumb a lot.  I need to know that if I was a movie I would be "Roman Holiday" and that my old lady name would be "Ethel.") - anyway, I thought I would also succumb to the cheap ploy of luring readers with a quiz.

And then, I will recap with my vast knowledge of good manners in the hope that I will inspire.  Because what separates us from the animals?  Why, it's manners of course.  Manners mean we are civilized.

For example, dogs have their own bit of etiquette that involves introducing themselves to each other by sniffing unmentionable places on other dogs.  If we did that, well, it would be awkward and we would each probably be called an animal.

And when I say manners, I am not talking about using the right fork or undue flatulence or chewing with your mouth open, all things you should probably work on. I could care less about that.

I am talking about politeness, thoughtfulness, and consideration.


Now on to The Quiz.


***THE QUIZ***


So here are your questions - answer yes or no:

1.  When I have overnight guests I provide everything they will need to be comfortable:  robes, a hook in the bathroom to hang them on, fresh soap, toiletries that don't look like they are on their last legs (e.g. a fresh tube of toothpaste, not one rolled up into a tiny ball), hair dryer, fresh towels, snacks, bottled water and glasses in their room, clean sheets (duh), closet space, magazines, and I tell them to "help themselves" so they feel at home.

2.  When I am the overnight guest, I always take my hosts out to dinner or provide them with a thoughtful thank you.

3.  When I am a dinner guest, I always bring wine and I don't expect it to be opened while I am there so that I can drink it all.

4.  I am rarely, if ever, late.

5.  When I send a holiday card to my friends and family I do NOT include a long, single-spaced bragging letter about my family's accomplishments. 

6.  I sincerely compliment my friends and loved ones on a daily basis.

7.  If someone asks for an RSVP, I RSVP.

8.  I always return phone calls and emails and I do it in a timely manner.

9.  I never check my email, text or answer my phone (unless it's an emergency) while visiting with friends or surf the web while talking on the phone.  And I don't have my cell phone on the table while dining unless I am a doctor on call.

10. When dining out and I am not picking up the check, I split the check in half and don't quibble over the extra pennies on either side, even if the other party ordered way more than I.

11.  I always introduce people to each other.

12.  When dining out, I don't make scenes in restaurants.

13.  I show an interest in others by not talking about myself all of the time and asking them questions about themselves.

14.  I always thank my host the next day after a party or dinner, and I send hand-written thank you notes when I have stayed overnight or longer.

15.  When I receive a gift, I always send a thank you and also remember to thank them again later and tell them how much I am enjoying my gift.

Count up your yes answers:

13-15  Emily Post would be proud.
 
10-12  It was the being late, talking on your cell phone and not talking
            about yourself questions, right?
    
 7-9     This is like getting 50% on a test which is a fail. You need to
            study.
     
4-6      You need to take an etiquette class and possibly even get some
            therapy.
      
1-3      My little wine guzzling poodle, Tarquin, got a better score than
            you (and he was drunk).
         
0         You have single-handedly contributed to the downfall of Western
           civilization


So now it's time for my rant. 
If you received a high score, you could skip this part, but then you would miss the fun!

1.  Overnight Guests. When you invite someone to stay with you, that invitation implies you really want them at your house.  And if that is true, you need to show them by providing them with many of the same comforts they would have if they stayed in a hotel.  For example, how would you feel if you were staying in a hotel and the shower had a used piece of soap with a black hair on it?  I rest my case.

 


2. Host/Hostess Gifts when staying overnight. Taking your hosts out to dinner is the least you can do.  You might also practice being a good guest by cleaning up after yourself, helping with meals and at least pretending you are enjoying their company.


3. Bringing Wine. If you bring wine to a dinner party and ask it to be opened during dinner, then you are implying two things:  that you didn't think the host would supply wines good enough for you and that you are a cheapskate.  What you bring to dinner is for the host, not you.




4.Being Late. Sure, we are all late sometimes, but there better be a damn good reason and the person waiting for you should be apprised of your progress.  Why?  Because when you are late you are saying that my time is not as valuable as your time.  Yes, it's a hassle to get places on time when you have children and other obligations, but that's the price you pay for having friends and a family.  It's not all about you.  So if you need to make some changes to your schedule and break out a bit of a sweat to get there on time, so be it.  You are showing your friends and colleagues that you respect them.

5. The Holiday Letter.  OK, this is one of my big pet peeves.  That single-spaced, typed, full-page letter included with your Holiday card that outlines all of your family's accomplishments, good deeds and month-by-month minutiae of your life.  It's one thing if you would include something juicy like your son's divorce or the uncle that got sent to prison, but it's always "See how perfect my family is?"  Is that what the Holidays are all about?  For the time it takes you to create and type that letter and stuff it into the Holiday card, you could have hand-written a line or two to each of your friends and family members telling them what they mean to you or sharing a happy memory.  To me, that's what the Holidays are supposed to be about.  Others, not you.

6.  Compliments.  It's easy to take your friends and loved ones for granted, but there is nothing like calling attention to something GOOD about them or a happy memory or just that you are glad to be together.  It takes very little for you to say something nice and it's huge for the other person. "Rosy, you are so much fun.  I am glad you are my friend." And in conversation, how often do you acknowledge the other person's point of view, e.g. Really good point, Rosy, I will remember that.  Doesn't happen much.

7.  RSVP. If someone asks you to RSVP, that means they want to know yes or no. They are trying to plan a party or event, for god's sake.  They need to know how many are coming.  Don't think not responding at all will mean no to them.  How long does it take you to send back that little RSVP card that is sent with a wedding invitation and includes a SASE?  Or how long really does it take to fill out the little online survey that is sometimes sent with the e-invite or to reply to an email or even, dare I say it? Pick up the phone?  And if someone is inviting you to something, I assume it's a friend.  Can't you spare one minute in your day to respond to a friend?

8.  Returning Phone Calls and Emails. There is just no excuse not to return a phone call or reply to an email, especially if it's your mother.

9.  Social Media. At dinner, you should not be checking your cell phone.  In fact, your cell phone should not even be sitting on the table.  That implies you are waiting for something more interesting than the people you are dining with.  And answering the phone while visiting with your friends also implies you are waiting for something more exciting to happen.  And at home, surfing the web while talking on the phone, don't you realize we can hear you typing?



10.  Splitting the Bill. To me there is nothing more embarrassing than quibbling over every item on a restaurant bill.  That's why when I have the means, I just pick up the check because of past experiences with people pulling out calculators. And by the way, if you invite someone to dine at a restaurant, you should pay and tell the other parties you will be picking up the check.  That's just the polite thing to do.  But if everyone knows the bill will be shared, then it should be split in half, even if the other couple ordered Dom Perignon.  If you know you spent more, then, because you have impeccable manners, you will throw in more money to cover that.  But you can't do anything about the other person. Just make a note that you probably don't want to dine with them again.

11.  Introductions. Someone walks up to you and your group, you talk to that person and then the person walks away.  Hey, what are we?  Chopped liver?  Now, I can forgive you if you can't remember the person's name.  That seems to be happening to me more and more, but in general, when you are approached, it is common courtesy for everyone concerned to make introductions.  It's a respect thing. And I won't get into the proper way to introduce someone.  Just do it however you want, but do it.  

And when introduced look that person in the eye, smile and give him or her a nice firm handshake, even if you are a woman. Fist pumping aside, if you do shake hands, let it be a firm and sincere grasp of the hand, not a limp version that feels like you are going to take my fingers and pull my hand up for a kiss.  And smile!  That shows you really are happy to meet me.

 


12.  Scenes in Restaurants. Though I am known for having a thing about being seated by the door, server's station, bathroom or kitchen (I don't like it), I don't make a scene about it.  I don't even make a scene if the waiter is snarky and questions my wine choices or takes forever to acknowledge my presence.  I just won't go back there again.

13.  Talking about Yourself. I have sat through entire lunches with people I have just met and they have not asked me one question about myself, but rather talking, talking, talking about themselves.  Do you think I would want to have lunch with them again?  'Ya think? Asking your companions questions that get them to talk about themselves is the polite thing to do and shows you are interested. 

14.  Handwritten thank you notes?  Probably not going to happen anymore.  But a phone call, email or text should be sent after a party or evening out with friends.


15.  Acknowledging Gifts. I think most of us are pretty good about thanking people for gifts when we are face to face.  But when it's long distance, that requires a bit of effort and I have noticed that my gift giving is sometimes not acknowledged.  I have decided to not give a gift anymore to someone who doesn't care enough about me or my gift to acknowledge receipt. 

But even if you are really good about acknowledging gifts, you can really make someone's day by reminding him or her of the gift months later and saying thanks again, saying how useful it is or how much you are enjoying that gift or wearing it or displaying it in their presence.  My Dad taught me that.
"I can't tell you how much I am enjoying those brooms you bought me for Valentine's Day, Hubby.  What a thoughtful romantic gift. I use them every day and think of you." 

Rant over.
 
Do you have one to share?

Now go out there and contribute your good manners to the good of civilization!

 


 
 
See you Friday
 
For
 
"The Best and Worst Movies and DVDS of 2014 - So Far
and The Week in Reviews"
 
 
 
Thanks for reading!

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to click on the share buttons to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn, 
email it to your friends and
LIKE me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rosythereviewer.





 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Famous Movie Trailers: Can You Identify the Films? - A Quiz - and The Week in Reviews

[I review movies "Frozen," "The Patience Stone" and "Baggage Claim" and recommend a great book for fashionistas]

But first


Famous Movie Trailers:
Can You Identify the Films?

Quizzes are all the rage.

I have discovered from taking Zimbio quizzes that if I were a Disney Princess I would be Cinderella and a Buzzfeed quiz told me I definitely was not a hipsterAnd I have taken quizzes to determine who my celebrity roommate should be and what "Game of Thrones" character I am.  Those quizzes are highly addictive.

So I decided to capitalize on this quiz-mania and devise my own quiz.


So let's see if you know your movie taglines and can attain the title of
"Movie Know-it-All."


First of all, what's a movie tagline?

A tagline is a memorable phrase or sentence that sums up the tone or premise of a film.  Movie marketing folks probably wrack their brains to come up with just the right slogan, one that will cement the film in our brains so we have to see the film, e.g. "In space no one can hear you scream,"

If you are going to be any good at this, you have to have recognized the above tagline as being from the film Alien (1979).



OK, let's get started. 

I will give you the list, you come up with the answers and then check your answers at the end.  No peeking!  Then check your score to see how you measure up.

Ready?  Let's go.

1.  One dream.  Four Jamaicans.  Twenty below zero.

2.  A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere.

3.  One man's struggle to take it easy.

4.  There are 3.7 trillion fish in the ocean.  They are looking for one.

5.  The classic story about a boy and his mother
(you have to choose the correct version)

6.  The Bitch is back.

7.  Earth.  It was fun while it lasted.

8.  We are not alone.

9.  This is the week-end they didn't play golf.

10.  Cocktails first.  Questions later.

11.  Her life was in his hands.  Her toe was in the mail.

12.  You'll laugh.  You'll cry.  You'll hurl.

13.  Does for rock and roll what "The Sound of Music" did for hills.

14.  No actual Europeans were harmed in the making of this film.

15. Don't get mad.  Get everything.

16.  This is Benjamin.  He's a little worried about this future.

17.  And you thought Earth Girls were easy.

18.  Things are about to get a little hairy.

19.  Family isn't a word.  It's a sentence.

20.  Check in.  Unpack.  Relax.  Take a shower.

21.  You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.

22. They're young, they're in love and they kill.

23.  3% body fat.  1% brain activity.

24.  The biggest mother of them all.

25.  All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.






Here are the answers:

1. Cool Runnings (1993); 2. Fargo (1996); 3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986); 4. Finding Nemo (2003); 5. Psycho II (1983); 6. Alien 3 (1992);
7. Armageddon (1998); 8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977); 
9. Deliverance (1972); 10. Swingers (1996); 11. The Big Lebowski (1998);
12. Wayne's World (1992); 13. This is Spinal Tap (1984); 14. Eurotrip (2004); 15. First Wives Club (1996); 16. The Graduate (1967); 17. Bad Girls from Mars (1990); 18. American Werewolf in Paris (1997); 19. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001); 20. Psycho (1960); 21. The Social Network (2010); 22. Bonnie and Clyde (1967); 23. Zoolander (2001); 24. Mommie Dearest (1981); 25.  The Shining (1980)








Here is your score:

20-25  Movie Know-it-All
You are a person who fancies yourself an expert on movies and you at least know your movie trailers (or are good at figuring things like this out).  But be careful.  People hate know-it-alls.

15-19  Movie Know-it-All Wannabee
You so want people to see you as a movie expert.  Keep at it.  You are almost there.

10-14   Movie Amateur
OK, 50% plus isn't bad.  Watch more movies.

5-9  You don't know that much about movies.   

0-4.  Why did you even bother to take this quiz?


How did you do?
What is your favorite movie trailer?
Now let's get on with

The Week in Reviews

***In Theatres Now***

Frozen


Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Queen Elsa has turned her kingdom to ice and her sister, Princess Anna must find her and save her from herself in this 2013 Academy Award winner for "Best Animated Feature Film."

All of the Disney staples are here:  plucky heroine, funny animal sidekicks and music plus a hilarious talking snowman.  Olaf, the snowman was the best part.

Modern day animation is just amazing, especially when compared to the old Mickey Mouse cartoon that is shown before the film.  However, the big eyes of the heroines made me think I was in a Keane painting (remember those?), and I wish they had not been drawn with such teeny-tiny waists. They looked like Barbie dolls. Not a good message to send little girls. But in true Disney fashion, there is always a good moral:  love can melt even the most frozen heart. 
(If you want to see this on the big screen, better get there soon if you can.  It was just released on DVD on the 18th. Not available at Netflix until April 15th so check your local public library).

And answer me this:  I can't tell you how many previews I saw of this thing.  Where was the scene with the reindeer and the snowman fighting for the carrot on the ice?  Didn't happen.  So as I always say, beware of previews!

Rosy the Reviewer says...See it with a little girl (though this is not for the very young).  This is the kind of Disney movie little girl's love.




***DVDS***
You Might Have Missed
And Some You Should Be Glad You Did
(I see the bad ones so you don't have to)
In an unnamed war torn town, a woman cares for her comatose husband who has taken a bullet in the neck.
In Persian mythology, a patience stone (syngué sabour) is a magical black rock that can absorb one's burdensome, often painful secrets and over the course of the film, the woman uses her husband as a "patience stone" and unburdens herself.
Afghan writer and director Atiq Rahimi directed the film based on his 2008 novel “The Patience Stone,” which has been translated into 33 languages.
I think this film was lost in translation.  I saw the ending coming a mile away, and it is slow, slow, slow.  However, actress Golshifteh Farahani is beautiful and amazing, though her character can be a bit maddening at times.
Rosy the Reviewer says...Grim, grim, grim
(subtitles)



Baggage Claim (2013)


Worried about being an "old maid," Flight attendant Montana Moore is on a mission to find a husband in 30 days.

Cute idea turned into a farce with a lot of overacting.  This set the women's movement back at least 50 years.

Paula Patton, though she has been around while, is probably best known for her pending divorce from husband Robin Thicke (Beetlejuice suit, twerking, you remember).

Rosy the Reviewer says...remember my slogan (see above), I see the bad ones so you don't have to?  Well, you don't have to.



***Book of the Week***
by Amanda Mackenzie Stuart (2013)

No one effected the 20th century American fashion scene more than Diana Vreeland. 
As Editor-in-Chief at Vogue magazine, she was a tastemaker, where her gift was spotting trends such as the bikini, sleeveless dresses, skinny pants, thong sandals and animal prints.  She also first coined the word "pizazz."  She launched iconic careers such as Lauren Bacall's and Richard Avedon's and the 1941 musical "Lady in the Dark" was based on her. as well as the fashion editor in the film "Funny Face."
She was known for her observations and spoke in proclamations such as "Pink is the navy blue of India!"
Allure is a word very few people use nowadays, but it’s something that exists. Allure holds you, doesn’t it? Whether it’s a gaze or a glance in the street or a face in the crowd or someone sitting opposite you at lunch… you are held."
She typically dressed all in black and her New York apartment was painted all red.

Rosy the Reviewer says...if you know and love fashion, you need to know all about Diana Vreeland, or you don't know and love fashion at all (that's my quote).

That's it for this week.
See you Tuesday for

"My Best Summer Vacation"






Thanks for reading!

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Check your local library for DVDs and books mentioned.




Note:  Next time you are wondering whether or not to watch a particular film, check out my reviews on IMDB (The International Movie Database). 


Find the page for the movie, click on "Explore More" on the right side panel and then scroll down to "External Reviews."  Look for "Rosy the Reviewer" on the list. Or if you are using a mobile device, look for "Critics Reviews." Click on that and you will find me alphabetically under "Rosy the Reviewer."