Etiquestions

Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa

What do you do if you are not drinking wine but attending an event with wine glasses on the table? Is it ok to turn your glass upside down?

It is ok not to drink wine at an event. Just don’t make a big deal of saying you don’t drink. Simply place your fingertips on the rim of the glass and say, “Not today, thank you.” This implies no judgment of those who wish to drink wine. I do not recommend turning the glass upside down. Simply indicate to the person serving that you do not care for any wine today.

I love to dine family style! I think it is so much fun when restaurants place large portions of all kinds of food on the table for me and my family to try. However, it gets a little crazy with my family reaching over each other to get the food they want. What should I do to teach them the right way to eat family style?

Family Style dining is so much fun! One thing you want to keep in mind is that when we reach over plates of food to get what we want, we risk getting our shirt sleeve or arm covered in food. It is also much harder to pick up a heavy plate of food from far away. The best thing to do is to ask the person next to the plate to pass it to you; then, you can ask the person sitting next to you if they would like some of the food before you pass it around the table.

I love to attend social events in late summer as we wind down summer and get ready for fall and back to school! I think it is so much fun because events tend to be more casual and often held outside. What is your advice when it comes to dress attire for outside late summer events?

I am also a fan of late summer events. They are just so much fun! When it comes to dress attire, you should take the same approach as you do during other times of the year. Pay attention to the invitation. Is the event a Pool Party? A Golf Event? A Backyard BBQ? Depending on the event, you can decide on the most appropriate thing to wear. Think about the fabric you will be wearing because most outdoor events in the summer are hot. Linen and cotton are great fabrics for summer events. Also, think about layers so that as the evening sets in, you may appreciate a scarf or summer wrap. However, no matter what event or what fabric, always dress tastefully but make sure your clothes fit properly and not too much skin is showing. Have fun!

Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa, Ph.D. is a wife, mother, and educator living in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. She is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies. In addition, she holds an Associate of Arts degree in Education from McLennan Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas – Pan American, and a Master of Arts in Educational Supervision from the University of Texas – Pan American. Dr. Baggerly-Hinojosa’s current research is focused on servant leadership, gender issues in leadership, and leadership communication. www.leadershipempowermentgroup.com