Remember the "Seinfeld" episode in which the failure to shake hands ruined a business deal? When Elaine's boss, the publisher Mr. Lippman, sneezes and doesn't have his handkerchief, he avoids shaking hands with a Japanese businessman. Though he only wants to avoid spreading germs, the Japanese executive thinks he's being rude and quashes a deal, putting Pendant Publishing out of business.
So the question is: With both the seasonal flu and H1N1 virus causing illness and death this year, should you avoid shaking hands in business situations?
The latest word from Miss Manners (Oct. 18, 2009, Washington Post column) is to make sure you have a clean handkerchief with you every day, and keep it where you can get to it quickly. She recommends that as a better solution than the "sleeve sneeze" some have advocated. I agree. I really don't like the thought of sneezing into the sleeve of a silk shirt or dress. Yuck!
A nationally known surgeon, Dr. Vicki Rackner (www.drvicki.org) of Washington state, recommends just saying “Nice to meet you,” and then not offering your hand.
Both the etiquette and medical expert think it's a good idea to carry hand cleaner and use it discreetly. Dr. Rackner also recommends washing your hands frequently using a NON-antibacterial soap. (Overuse of antibacterial cleaners can lead to deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA.)
In my own experience, there have been occasions when someone has shied away from shaking hands, usually after saying they have a cold and might be contagious. Any momentary awkwardness quickly passes.
What do you think? Are you less willing to shake hands this flu season than in past years?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Letter on Grammar Published in DM News
Those of us who are cursed with a knowledge of correct word usage and spelling cringe every time (not "everytime") we read copy filled with errors. Social media in particular have become a breeding ground for careless writing.
Here's the unedited version of my letter to DM News, which appeared in the Sept. 28 issue:
Your Aug. 17 headline asks, “Has new media changed copywriting?" I agree with “contender” Suzanne Darmory Dunleavy, who says that copywriting must still be “be on brand, be on strategy, be engaging, target the right audience with the right tone and have a clear call to action.” As always, effective direct marketing requires three main ingredients: the offer, creativity and the list. Effective copywriting is integral to the first two of those.
Contender Steve Caputo, meanwhile, says that new media have affected the writing process in part because of “unprecedented speed.” Unfortunately, speed seems to have become an excuse for sloppy writing. Yet reporters have always had to produce accurate copy while racing against deadlines – and following Associated Press news style.
Since my background is journalism, I'm acutely aware of the daily parade of typos, misspelling, poor grammar and style errors. Careful writing in any medium still helps ensure (not “insure”) that your message is clearly communicated. When someone writes, "Your welcome" or "Please bare with me," both of which I’ve seen lately, the message I receive is that the company doesn't care about quality.
Mistakes I see most often include:
• Confusing "Everyday low prices" and "Low prices every day." ("Every day" should always be two words in the second usage.)
• Using apostrophes to form plurals. A recent article on social media used "company's" as the plural of “company.”
• Misusing "its" and "its" or "their," "there" and "they're."
• Confusing “principle” and “principal” or “complimentary” and “complementary.”
• Not bothering to check the spelling of tricky words: Use “impostor,” (not “imposter”), fireplace “mantel” (not “mantle”) and “a real “trouper” (not “trooper”).
• Confusing “podium” with “lectern.” A speaker stands behind a lectern and on a podium.
• Not putting a comma after dates and states used in apposition: “The company will launch its product on Nov. 1, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo., the marketing director announced.“
These days the fingernails-on-the-blackboard error I see most frequently is "Get it for free." Writers seem to like the alliteration, but the "for" is unnecessary. After all, you wouldn't say, "You can get it for cheap."
One more quibble: Most stylebooks still hold that the word "media" requires a plural verb. So your article’s headline should have been, “Have new media changed copywriting?"
Here's the unedited version of my letter to DM News, which appeared in the Sept. 28 issue:
Your Aug. 17 headline asks, “Has new media changed copywriting?" I agree with “contender” Suzanne Darmory Dunleavy, who says that copywriting must still be “be on brand, be on strategy, be engaging, target the right audience with the right tone and have a clear call to action.” As always, effective direct marketing requires three main ingredients: the offer, creativity and the list. Effective copywriting is integral to the first two of those.
Contender Steve Caputo, meanwhile, says that new media have affected the writing process in part because of “unprecedented speed.” Unfortunately, speed seems to have become an excuse for sloppy writing. Yet reporters have always had to produce accurate copy while racing against deadlines – and following Associated Press news style.
Since my background is journalism, I'm acutely aware of the daily parade of typos, misspelling, poor grammar and style errors. Careful writing in any medium still helps ensure (not “insure”) that your message is clearly communicated. When someone writes, "Your welcome" or "Please bare with me," both of which I’ve seen lately, the message I receive is that the company doesn't care about quality.
Mistakes I see most often include:
• Confusing "Everyday low prices" and "Low prices every day." ("Every day" should always be two words in the second usage.)
• Using apostrophes to form plurals. A recent article on social media used "company's" as the plural of “company.”
• Misusing "its" and "its" or "their," "there" and "they're."
• Confusing “principle” and “principal” or “complimentary” and “complementary.”
• Not bothering to check the spelling of tricky words: Use “impostor,” (not “imposter”), fireplace “mantel” (not “mantle”) and “a real “trouper” (not “trooper”).
• Confusing “podium” with “lectern.” A speaker stands behind a lectern and on a podium.
• Not putting a comma after dates and states used in apposition: “The company will launch its product on Nov. 1, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo., the marketing director announced.“
These days the fingernails-on-the-blackboard error I see most frequently is "Get it for free." Writers seem to like the alliteration, but the "for" is unnecessary. After all, you wouldn't say, "You can get it for cheap."
One more quibble: Most stylebooks still hold that the word "media" requires a plural verb. So your article’s headline should have been, “Have new media changed copywriting?"
Friday, October 2, 2009
Honor Flight Is a True Honor for 40 WWII Veterans
It was a great day in honor of highly deserving World War II veterans. Arriving at the airport at 5 a.m., we flew to Washington, D.C. and spent the day touring the World War II Memorial, Vietnam and Korean memorials, and Arlington Cemetery. We also saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington...a moving experience that brought tears to the eyes of many veterans.
In honor of the occasion I wrote a poem, and was asked to read it at the dinner before our return that evening:
In Honor of Those Who Served
Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Rising Sun –
A date of infamy, a war begun.
Japan awakened “The Sleeping Giant,”
The United States arose defiant.
From Guadalcanal to Omaha Beach,
The Axis could never avoid our reach.
From the Atlantic to the Pacific,
The hard-fought battles were horrific.
Germany and Italy – brutal foes
In the end were no match for our heroes.
On Mount Suribachi our flag did wave,
A tribute to blood lost by the brave.
Purple Hearts and Bronze or Silver Stars
Were awarded to those who bore the scars.
In withering fire and under attack,
Thousands went to war and never came back.
On land, in air, on –and under – the sea,
They fought to preserve the land of the free.
For these veterans who fought the good fight,
We thank them for serving – through Honor Flight!
Susan Pepperdine
Guardian, Kansas City Metro
Sept. 30, 2009
In honor of the occasion I wrote a poem, and was asked to read it at the dinner before our return that evening:
In Honor of Those Who Served
Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Rising Sun –
A date of infamy, a war begun.
Japan awakened “The Sleeping Giant,”
The United States arose defiant.
From Guadalcanal to Omaha Beach,
The Axis could never avoid our reach.
From the Atlantic to the Pacific,
The hard-fought battles were horrific.
Germany and Italy – brutal foes
In the end were no match for our heroes.
On Mount Suribachi our flag did wave,
A tribute to blood lost by the brave.
Purple Hearts and Bronze or Silver Stars
Were awarded to those who bore the scars.
In withering fire and under attack,
Thousands went to war and never came back.
On land, in air, on –and under – the sea,
They fought to preserve the land of the free.
For these veterans who fought the good fight,
We thank them for serving – through Honor Flight!
Susan Pepperdine
Guardian, Kansas City Metro
Sept. 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I Swear It's True: Swearing Is a Bad Idea
Swearing has been much in the news lately. Consider these incidents just in the past few weeks:
In politics: Bob McDonnell, the GOP candidate for governor in Virginia, said in a Sept. 11 live radio interview: "I'm going to find other ways to be able to fund transportation. I've outlined twelve f—ing funding mechanisms that are creative, that are entrepreneurial."
In the media: On the Sept. 16 WNYW Fox newscast, Ernie Anastos, a New York anchorman, told the weatherman to “keep f—ing that chicken.” Evidently unaware of the slip, he kept talking, while his co-anchor looked stunned. The bleeped YouTube clip has been shown on virtually every talk show.
In sports: Serena Williams exploded after a lineswoman called her for a foot fault in semifinal tennis match. "If I could, I would take this [expletive deleted] ball and shove it down your [expletive deleted] throat," Williams told the lineswoman after the call. She lost the match and was fined $10,500.
After incidents like these, the perpetrator usually apologizes for a “slip of the tongue.” But I have always felt that if profanity were not a normal part of the speakers’ everyday vocabulary, it probably wouldn’t “slip out” during a public appearance.
Year ago when I left Hallmark Cards and started working at Barkley & Evergreen (now Barkley), I was amazed at the amount of swearing I heard every day in the office. Personally, I made the decision that it was never a plus – and often a minus – to use swear words.
I did witness an occasion when profanity cost an ad agency the opportunity to gain a new client. In a presentation meeting the two agency vice presidents both used the f-word several times. The prospective client happened to be a very conservative man who had been known to walk out of marketing meetings when he deemed a presentation to be risqué. I knew immediately that there was no way he would award a half-million dollar account to that agency. He didn’t.
Swearing can damage your personal life as well by hurting your chances of finding someone to spend your life with. When I used to teach my “How to Meet Your Mate in 90 Days or Less” class, I urged participants to “put your best self forward” by avoiding expletives. Men especially are not attracted to dates with a foul mouth.
I think swearing insults the audience in two ways. First, it shows the speaker doesn’t value the listeners’ opinions enough to watch his words. Second, the speaker often looks upon the listeners as hopelessly un-cool and out-of-date if they are offended or annoyed.
Whether you meet someone in a business or personal situation, spouting profanity never makes a good impression.
What do you think? Do you have any examples to share?
In politics: Bob McDonnell, the GOP candidate for governor in Virginia, said in a Sept. 11 live radio interview: "I'm going to find other ways to be able to fund transportation. I've outlined twelve f—ing funding mechanisms that are creative, that are entrepreneurial."
In the media: On the Sept. 16 WNYW Fox newscast, Ernie Anastos, a New York anchorman, told the weatherman to “keep f—ing that chicken.” Evidently unaware of the slip, he kept talking, while his co-anchor looked stunned. The bleeped YouTube clip has been shown on virtually every talk show.
In sports: Serena Williams exploded after a lineswoman called her for a foot fault in semifinal tennis match. "If I could, I would take this [expletive deleted] ball and shove it down your [expletive deleted] throat," Williams told the lineswoman after the call. She lost the match and was fined $10,500.
After incidents like these, the perpetrator usually apologizes for a “slip of the tongue.” But I have always felt that if profanity were not a normal part of the speakers’ everyday vocabulary, it probably wouldn’t “slip out” during a public appearance.
Year ago when I left Hallmark Cards and started working at Barkley & Evergreen (now Barkley), I was amazed at the amount of swearing I heard every day in the office. Personally, I made the decision that it was never a plus – and often a minus – to use swear words.
I did witness an occasion when profanity cost an ad agency the opportunity to gain a new client. In a presentation meeting the two agency vice presidents both used the f-word several times. The prospective client happened to be a very conservative man who had been known to walk out of marketing meetings when he deemed a presentation to be risqué. I knew immediately that there was no way he would award a half-million dollar account to that agency. He didn’t.
Swearing can damage your personal life as well by hurting your chances of finding someone to spend your life with. When I used to teach my “How to Meet Your Mate in 90 Days or Less” class, I urged participants to “put your best self forward” by avoiding expletives. Men especially are not attracted to dates with a foul mouth.
I think swearing insults the audience in two ways. First, it shows the speaker doesn’t value the listeners’ opinions enough to watch his words. Second, the speaker often looks upon the listeners as hopelessly un-cool and out-of-date if they are offended or annoyed.
Whether you meet someone in a business or personal situation, spouting profanity never makes a good impression.
What do you think? Do you have any examples to share?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Korean War Veterans to Speak at Sept. 17 Marine Corps League Meeting
Korean War veterans will present “Remembering the Korean War” at a meeting of the Simpson-Hoggatt Detachment of the Marine Corps League, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Disabled Veterans of America location, 8787 Old Santa Fe Rd. in Kansas City, Mo.
The presentation will include discussion of the buildup to the war, Marine action in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon landing and liberation of Seoul, 1st Division attack to the north, and Marine air support of Marines on the ground.
The event is free and the public is invited. For more information call Commandant Ken Spencer at 913-362-8383.
#
About the Marine Corps League: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the federal charter in 1937. Membership numbers more than 60,000 nationally, and is open to current and honorably discharged Marines and to Navy medical corpsmen. http://www.mcleague.org. The Simpson-Hoggatt Detachment was formed in 1925 in Kansas City, Mo.
The presentation will include discussion of the buildup to the war, Marine action in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon landing and liberation of Seoul, 1st Division attack to the north, and Marine air support of Marines on the ground.
The event is free and the public is invited. For more information call Commandant Ken Spencer at 913-362-8383.
#
About the Marine Corps League: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the federal charter in 1937. Membership numbers more than 60,000 nationally, and is open to current and honorably discharged Marines and to Navy medical corpsmen. http://www.mcleague.org. The Simpson-Hoggatt Detachment was formed in 1925 in Kansas City, Mo.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Walter Cronkite: Further Proof 1916 Was a Good Year
Walter Cronkite was an icon in my field, journalism. When he died recently, I learned that he had been born on Nov. 4, 1916.
Birthdates in 1916 have always caught my attention because my mother was born on June 18, 1916. Some years ago I discovered that my Aunt Thelma and my adopted Aunt Lee, both now 93, and my adopted Aunt Helen, were all born that year. (Aunt Lee was my Uncle Martin's sister and Aunt Helen was my husband's mother's best friend.)
This got me to wondering what other famous people besides Cronkite were born in 1916. One notable on the list at http://www.nndb.com/lists/915/000105600/ is Gregory Peck. About 10 years ago I attended his engaging benefit performance for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre at the Folly Theatre in Kansas City.
Other performers on the list are Kirk Douglas, Olivia de Havilland, Glenn Ford, Jackie Gleason, Betty Grable, Van Johnson, Dinah Shore and Keenan Wynn. Writers included James Herriott, Shelby Foote and Irving Wallace.
Here's to 1916. It truly was a very good year.
Birthdates in 1916 have always caught my attention because my mother was born on June 18, 1916. Some years ago I discovered that my Aunt Thelma and my adopted Aunt Lee, both now 93, and my adopted Aunt Helen, were all born that year. (Aunt Lee was my Uncle Martin's sister and Aunt Helen was my husband's mother's best friend.)
This got me to wondering what other famous people besides Cronkite were born in 1916. One notable on the list at http://www.nndb.com/lists/915/000105600/ is Gregory Peck. About 10 years ago I attended his engaging benefit performance for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre at the Folly Theatre in Kansas City.
Other performers on the list are Kirk Douglas, Olivia de Havilland, Glenn Ford, Jackie Gleason, Betty Grable, Van Johnson, Dinah Shore and Keenan Wynn. Writers included James Herriott, Shelby Foote and Irving Wallace.
Here's to 1916. It truly was a very good year.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Who's on first...but where are the 5 W's?
Two full-page ads in The Kansas City Star caught my eye recently because they left out an all-important piece of information. WHERE.
First, there was the ad announcing Paul McCartney's concert at the BOK Center. Where is it? You would think that American Express, which bought the ad, would want us to know. But no such luck. I had to use Google to find out that it's in Tulsa. (OK, that explains the OK in the name...)
Second, I saw another full-page ad announcing Macy's new store at Summit Fair. Where is it? I guessed Lee's Summit, Mo., because of the name, but the ad gives no clue. Fortunately, several pages later is a JC Penney ad that includes directions and a map.
In J-school (journalism) at the University of Missouri, we learned that the lead of every news story should include the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why...and sometimes How. Whether you're writing a news release, an ad or Web copy, it's still a good way to double check your copy.
Otherwise, you're wasting your client's money.
First, there was the ad announcing Paul McCartney's concert at the BOK Center. Where is it? You would think that American Express, which bought the ad, would want us to know. But no such luck. I had to use Google to find out that it's in Tulsa. (OK, that explains the OK in the name...)
Second, I saw another full-page ad announcing Macy's new store at Summit Fair. Where is it? I guessed Lee's Summit, Mo., because of the name, but the ad gives no clue. Fortunately, several pages later is a JC Penney ad that includes directions and a map.
In J-school (journalism) at the University of Missouri, we learned that the lead of every news story should include the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why...and sometimes How. Whether you're writing a news release, an ad or Web copy, it's still a good way to double check your copy.
Otherwise, you're wasting your client's money.
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