Friday Afternoon Etiquette

If you read my “100 Things about me” list, you will have read #63 where I quite honestly admit “I am somewhat of an etiquette snob.” Personally, I think more people should be a little more particular about etiquette than they are in this day in age and I just can not stand rude and inconsiderate people (hence my list on the sidebar that says “Everyone Should Own” and includes Emily Post’s book of Etiquette). So let me just throw this out there for you and you can tell me if I’m being too harsh. Let’s say, hypothetically of course, that someone you knew who had a very important job was being promoted to an enormous position in their company and moving far away. Now, this person obviously could not have gotten this tremendous job without the hard work and dedication of her staff and employees. And a party is thrown in her honor (as it should), to celebrate this promotion and then a second party is being thrown for her husband and children as a “thank you and good luck, we’ll miss you!” type send off. People have changed plans, cancelled appointments and preparations have gone into this send-off for the husband and children, only for him to say he’s “too tired” and has “too much to do” a few hours before the party so it’s cancelled. And so after all these years of socializing and making small talk and even friends in the company, and after all these people have helped his wife get this probably seven figure position, he just cancels. Just like that, at the last minute. And no one has the opportunity to say goodbye or wish them well, and he himself, NEVER says how much this all means to him or thanks the handfuls of people who have supported his wife to secure such a high position in the company, and he just acts like it’s time to wash his hands of everyone and move on. No thank you, no nothing. Like it’s really no big deal. Now, am I being an etiquette snob, or is this truly as rude as I think it is? I personally see this as very rude and disrespectful to all the people who rearranged schedules to be there, and genuinely wanted to say goodbye and thank you to the entire family for their support, and he acts like he just can’t even be bothered with them for a mere hour that they were all doing FOR HIM. And then the fact that his wife doesn’t just say “you know what, suck it up. These people are doing this for you and the kids so you should at least come for an hour to show your appreciation” is just as much as a slap in the face if you ask me. So I’m anxious to hear what your opinion on this is as well because it’s had me riled up for quite a few days now. And even though I know this has absolutely nothing to do with one of my many “good things” and I haven’t even thrown out a Martha-ism today or anything creative for that matter, I will remind you that this is still my blog and I’m choosing to blog about one of my “100 things.” So there (can you tell this has hit a nerve with me?). Sorry, I’m totally not trying to be rude though.