All posts tagged with: Etiquette

Photo Credit: Jay Minter

Whether it’s your first time running in a road race, or you’re a seasoned veteran, it’s always good to be reminded of appropriate etiquette when participating in road running races. Some simple guidelines will ensure everyone safety and a enjoyable experience for everyone, including fellow racers, volunteers, race officials and spectators.

Keep these simple, easy to follow etiquette guidelines in mind:

1. Arrive to the race at least 15 minutes prior to start time.
2. Know in advance where the start line is.
3. Arrive prepared, with your race shoes on, timing chip in place and race bib safely fastened to the front of your shirt.
4. Do not bring dogs or other animals to the race.
5. Do not run without a race number. Doing so causes errors of recording times and positions of those legitimately entered. These people are called Bandits or Turkeys.
6. Do not allow another participant to use your number. This can cause errors in race results being reported, and in the case of an accident or emergency, wrong information can have serious consequences.
7. If the event has multiple race distances, do not switch without approval; you may not get an official time and it can lead to errors in the race results.
8. If you need to walk or come to a stop, move to the right hand side and raise your hand, signaling to other participants. If you must leave the course, return to the exact same point where you left.
9. Respect private property.
10. Follow the race course, respecting pylons, course marshals, and signs. Participants can be disqualified for not following or cutting the course.
11. Do not block runners. Slower runners must remain on the right side.
12. When passing through aid stations, move to the side if you wish to slow down or stop.
13. Do not stop right at the finish line. Continue to move forward through the finish area so others can finish behind you.
14. Only cross the finish line once, and do not cross the finish line multiple times. This can lead to errors in results.
15. Be courteous to the volunteers. Smile and give them a big thank you. It’s because of their time that the race is made possible.

While there are no official rules around how to use Grindr, a geo-target mobile app for gay and bisexual men to meet others in their local proximity, there are some basic etiquette rules that should be followed. Here are then quick tips to help you avoid disappointment, get what you want faster and to respect others.

1. Know What You’re Looking For – Grindr is all about connecting with other guys in your area. Be honest with yourself and what you want – ie an LTR, meet new friends, find a quick hook up, conversation, or a local tour guide if you’re visiting a new city. Knowing why you are online will help you get to your end goal quicker and avoid disappointment to yourself and other users.
2. Complete Your Profile – Just like you want to know whom you are talking to, people want to know a bit about you first too. Basic information of age, height, weight, and ethnicity will allow others to narrow their search on what they are looking for. People don’t like to waste time on apps, so help everyone out. If you’re looking for something in particular, put it in your bio.
3. Profile Pictures – No one cares about your vacation, pet or scenic photos, in fact, it’s a great way to get blocked quickly. At the minimum, post a clear face shot of yourself; people like to know who they are taking to. If you’re looking for an LTR, conversation, friends, etc., having a picture of your torso sends the wrong message. If you’re looking for action, using a body shot that meets Grindr’s photo rules makes sense. Don’t use photos with multiple people; it causes confusion of which person you are and honestly, no one wants to see your fag hag (does they even know you’re using them on a hook-up app?). If you’re taking a photo in a mirror, clean the mirror first. It’s also annoying for people to have to ask you to send them photos, especially when yours is not clear. Use a photo that is recent too, because let’s face it, when you meet up in person, you better look like your photo, otherwise it’s going to be awkward for both parties.
4. Always Respond – When someone says Hi, say hi back. You wouldn’t walk down the street and ignore saying hi to someone if they greeted you. The same rule applies, even if they are not your type. A quick, “Hi”, followed by a  “How’s it going?” will go a long ways. Remember, this is social media, be social!
5. Be Respectful – If you are not interested, just be upfront with the other people “Sorry, not interested” is perfectly acceptable. If their profile says they are looking for an LTR, it’s probably best not to ask them right away if they want to hook up.
6. Use the Block Feature – It’s completely acceptable to block people. If you are not interested in the person, block them so they don’t message you and waste your time, and you can load more profiles of people that you could be interested in. It saves you time, and reduces pointless conversation. Grindr is all about connecting with people in the local area quickly; so if you aren’t interested, get them off your timeline and be productive with the people are you are interested in.
7. Start a Conversation – Don’t just say “Hi” and hope the other person responds. Make the conversation engaging. “What are you up to today” is a great way to get the conversation flowing. Be social.
8. Timely Responses – Get back to people right away. It’s a mobile app and like other forms of social media, response time is important. Being location based, people are moving around quickly. People could be travelling through your area on transit, in a coffee shop, or at home relaxing. You don’t know their exact situation. It’s rude to leave Grindr on all night while you’re out at the bar or with friends and then come home to answer a flood of messages from other people who are already offline. It’s social media, be social.
9. Multiple Devices – It’s completely acceptable to have Grindr on multiple devices, after all, we are mobile, as are our devices. If you have Grindr on multiple devices, either sync your Grindr accounts, or at the minimum, at least have the same basic profile information. It’s awkward for other users to message you on multiple accounts if they do not know you are the same person. It’s also deceitful.
10. Tell the Truth – There’s no need to lie or be dishonest. Just be yourself. For example, use your true age. If you shave a few years off your age and then your true age is revealed at a later date, you’ll look like a jerk. If you’re married and tell someone you are single, you could be putting someone in an ethically compromising position. You don’t need to tell your entire life story either. For example, if you are recently broken up, lean on a friends shoulder to cry on; guys on Grindr aren’t interested and will likely get you blocked faster.

Have fun out there. If you do decide to meet someone from Grindr, remember to use your common sense and basic Internet safety rules, like meeting in a public space and not giving out too much personal information.

Do you have helpful advice for other Grindr users? Please leave your comments on this blog post and help others get the most of our their Grindr time.

Pride parades are all about celebrating the rights and freedoms we have as individuals, raise awareness, and recognize the diversity within our communities, all while respecting the unique differences amongst citizens and visitors.

During a Pride parade, pretty much anything goes, but here are some good pointers and etiquette to keep in mind:

1. Do wear lots of sunscreen.
2. Do stay on the sidewalk; please keep off the parade route.
3. Do drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
4. Don’t forget your sunglasses.
5. Do cheer for your favourite drag queen, dancers and friends of the community as they pass by.
6. Do take lots of photos; respect those who do not want their photo taken.
7. Do share pride beads.
8. Don’t arrive at the parade drunk

Alright folks, many of you have china tucked away in your china cabinets, storage closets, basements and attics – it’s time to bring them out and have a traditional English High Tea. It’s simple to do and a lot of fun. Besides, why not put your china to good use – after all, it was meant to be used, not stored away forever.

An easy English high tea would include cucumber, egg salad or salmon salad sandwich cut into four pieces, tea and biscuits.

To make a perfect pot of tea, pour cold water into a kettle and let it come to a hard boil. While the kettle is boiling, pour hot water into your tea pot. When the kettle is comes to the hard boil, dump the hot water from the tea pot, put in your fresh tea, and add the freshly boiled water. Cover and let steep for four minutes. When it’s done steeping, remove the tea and discard.

Depending on what kind of tea you are serving you can add sugar, honey, lemon, milk or cream.

When attending a tea party, remember standard etiquette says only the Tea Mother can serve and pour tea from the pot, unless the he / she grants you permission.

Now, go find your china and enjoy it!