Etiquette: The Least You Need To Know

Mrs. Musayeva, a UK certified international social etiquette consultant and an author of the book “ Etiquette: the least you need to know.” New circumstances demand new rules of etiquette at the time of COVID-19.

Greetings: Handshake has long been the epitome of politeness and peace. Yet, in times of coronavirus, extending one’s hand for a handshake is neither safe nor polite (because you put the other person in an “awkward” position where he/she needs to decide to either let your hand “hang” or put one’s health in danger and extend the hand in return.)

Consider: safer greeting alternative like “namaste” ( a greeting form in India), a “bow” (Japanese greeting gesture) or a simple nod. However, this doesn’t mean that you should forget about greeting. Verbal greetings, like “hello” and “good evening” are still in fashion and very much needed, today more than ever.

Social distancing: What is an acceptable norm of distance in an interaction between two people varies from culture to culture. The eruption of COVID-19 has brought a new norm to the etiquette of proxemics. The advised distance is now 6 feet apart, which is equivalent to the length of a three-seat sofa. Keeping this space is important for your health and health of others. Respect yourself, respect others, mind the space.

Hygiene: Keeping oneself clean and tidy is the rule number one in etiquette. Like it or not, we all judge a book by its cover. So it is important to keep your “cover” clean and tidy at all times. With COVID-19 lurking in the air, extra steps should be added to your daily hygiene, like washing your hands more regularly and longer (no less than 20 seconds) than before.

If you have no access to water and soap, use hand sanitizers or sanitizer wipes. Avoid touching your face with your hands (this is generally a good habit to acquire even after coronavirus to keep your skin clean). Cover your mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Otherwise, cough or sneeze in your bent elbow.

Stay kind

Stay positive

Stay healthy

At Home..

This too shall pass..

The Sandwich Swap: by Queen Rania

 

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Did you know that her majesty Queen Rania of Jordan has written a children’s book? I was utterly shocked, having written a children’s book myself too. I thought it was very noble and kind of her to take the time to dedicate herself to such a sentimental project. I highly respect and look up to her for many reason, starting from her promotion of women’s causes and education problems, to charity and outspoken nature.

‘Lily and Salma are best friends. They like doing all the same things, and they always eat lunch together. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus-but what’s that between friends? It turns out, a lot. Before they know it, a food fight breaks out. Can Lily and Salma put aside their differences? Or will a sandwich come between them?

The smallest things can pull us apart-until we learn that friendship is far more powerful than difference. In a glorious three-page gatefold at the end of the book, Salma, Lily, and all their classmates come together in the true spirit of tolerance and acceptance.’

Purchase Online: https://www.amazon.com/Sandwich-Queen-Rania-Jordan-Abdullah/dp/1423124847

Small Shades: Rockin’

 

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This summer is all about small sunglasses, just like in the Matrix. Big names such as Louis Vuitton, Prada as well as main stream brands such as Mango and Asos have adapted to the trend and produced their own designs of the teeny shades. Kanye West has officially claimed that big sunglasses are over too, and we never disregard what Kanye preaches. We all want to be trendy, but it’s sometimes hard to be on point when we know what suits us and what doesn’t. So, in general, whether you choose vintage or current models for your little shades, try to find a shape that fits your visual construction best. For wider faces, it is better to choose the cat eye with a wider shape whereas slender faces may pull-off the tiniest of them all, well.

You may wonder why the sunglasses took such a narrow spin but as history has shown us, as soon as some trend becomes “too apparent,” to the masses, it is instantly un-attractive to the elite. In fact the trend goes back to the 1960’s when Beatles first showcased them to the world, aiming to bring back the simpler time. Then, to the extreme opposite, sunglasses became extra large and so everyone aimed to have the big black shades. As fashion recycles itself, the tiny sunglasses are now back in our lives once again. The question is, will they stick around? 

GRANOLA: Genéve

It’s always refreshing to come along something new and original in Geneva. Especially, when it’s healthy and delicious. Sure, there a number of healthy spots that have recently opened in Geneva, but Granola is in our top three.

Granola café offers healthy food as well as beverages ranging from poke bowls to avocado toasts, healthy smoothies and coffees. It is definitely a top place to have breakfast, whether you are in a hurry for training or simply in a mood to start the day off well and clean.

Granola’s vision is using seasonal products, that respect the environment, preparing daily recipes. Our personal favorites are the Raw Carrot Cake, The Don’t Kale My Vibe smoothie, and the Açai Bowl. For those of you who love matcha drinks, and prefer to have something less heavy than Starbucks, try the Granola Matcha Latte.

Located in the centre of Geneva, Granola is open until 3.30PM,  it is also a great spot for lunch, whether you want to stay indoors or on the cozy terrace. The service is prompt and friendly too. Finally, the other practical addition to their concept is that they sell some of the products that they use, like the Quinoa, Granola, Matcha Powder, and healthy snacks like cookies and raw chocolate.

For more information, visit Granola’s website: http://www.granola-geneva.com