Etiquestions

It is football season, and we are all so excited about the RGV Vaqueros football games. What are the basic etiquette rules we should keep in mind while attending the football games? Gooooo Vaqueros!!!

We certainly are all excited about UTRGV Vaquero football. It is a momentous time for the Rio Grande Valley community. The three basic etiquette rules to consider when attending football games are: 1. Be mindful of the people around you. Stand up when the crowd is standing up and cheer loudly! However, when the people behind you are sitting, try to stay seated so that you do not block their view.

2. Respect the team and officials. Be mindful of the words you choose and refrain from “booing” or calling names.

3. Pick up your trash. Remember to take all your trash with you when you leave your seats in the stadium. Have fun and enjoy the games.

I have been attending many events with my friends, and I have recently noticed that the conversation turns quickly to gossip about people who are not with us at the event. It always makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I don’t really know how to not participate in the gossip without looking judgmental or rude. Do you have any suggestions? I really like my group of friends, and I don’t think they really mean any harm. However, I am just not comfortable with all the gossip about others.

I am so glad you asked this question! Talking about others is a very common practice and can be very uncomfortable for many people. The old saying goes, “If they are talking about someone else to you, they are likely talking about you to someone else. ” The best suggestion I can make is to try to change the conversation to another topic without seeming to be rude. Etiquette is all about social graces, and there are usually ways to change the subject without making anyone feel bad about the conversation. For example, you may just interject and say something about the outfit one of the friends is wearing, or interrupt to ask for orders for food or drink. However, you can do it, try to change the topic without anyone realizing it was changed.

I have been so fortunate to attend many social events this season, and I know it is polite to send a thank you card afterwards. However, I am always stuck with what to write. Do you have any advice?

Just do it! The sooner, the better. Write the thank you note as if you were speaking with the person you are thanking. Keep it short and sweet, but personalize the note by referring to the event you attended. Finally, always remember that a thank you note is an extra way of telling the person you truly value what has been done for you.

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