Manners and Etiquette

Practicing good manners and following etiquette standards allows for others to be comfortable in your presence. It also increases your confidence during social interactions. For those of us in Domestic Discipline relationships, following these social guidelines can also save us from trouble. 

After doing a little research, I have created a few lists that will hopefully be used as a reminder to all of us on how to conduct ourselves as ladies and gentlemen. 

The Basics

1. The Golden Rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated. 
2. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
3. Look others in the eye. 
4. Smile.
5. Cover your mouth with your elbow pit when coughing and sneezing.
6. Avoid pointing.
7. Clean up after yourself. 
8. Wash your hands after using the restroom and before handling food.
9. Return borrowed items. 
10. Send thank you notes.
11. Do not interrupt. 
12. Apologize when appropriate. 
13. Be honest.

In Social Situations

1. Be Punctual. Being early is as rude as being late.
2. Introduce those who may not know one another.
3. Repeat the person's name who you are being introduced to.
4. Knock and/or announce yourself before entering. 
5. If hosting, invite guests to sit and offer them a beverage.
6. Offer help to the host/hostess.
7. Avoid talking solely about yourself. Show interest in others.
8. Keep negative opinions to yourself. Avoid gossip. 
9. Avoid talking about money. 
10. Do not touch others belongings or children unless invited to do so. 

At the Dinner Table

1. Put your napkin on your lap immediately upon sitting.
2. Sit with good posture.
3. Keep your elbows off the table.
4. Avoid clanking glasses during toasts. 
5. Wait for everyone to be served before eating.
6. Start from the outside and work your way in with utensils. Utensils at the top are for dessert.
7. Make as little noise as possible. 
8. Chew with your mouth closed. 
9. Do not take a drink with food in your mouth.
10. Wait for everyone to finish eating before excusing yourself.
11. Thank the cook and/or host and hostess. 

Ladies and Gentlemen

Men should always remain confident and take initiative. Ladies should give men the opportunity to be gentlemen.  Let the man be the leader. 

1. Practice good hygiene. Keep perfume/cologne to a minimum. 
2. Dress appropriately. 
3. Men open doors. It is ok to announce your intention of doing so. Ladies, let them. 
4. Do not swear or use vulgar language.
5. Do not over indulge when drinking alcohol. 
6. Men, pull out a lady's chair and offer your seat to a standing woman or child. Ladies, let them.
7. Men, walk on the outside of the sidewalk closest to oncoming traffic. 
8. Men, offer to drive. Pick a woman up at her door and always walk her to her final destination.
9. Protect and respect. 
10. Men, when out to eat ask a lady what she would like and order for her. When possible, pick up the tab. Ladies, graciously accept with no arguments.
11. Always take one another's side. Save any disagreements for behind closed doors. 

In my opinion, basic etiquette supports traditional roles and I take pride in striving to be polite. 

Hopefully this post has been helpful! Please comment with any suggestions for items that I should add to my lists. For example, since I am not a parent, I do not feel qualified to create a list on parenting but I certainly feel as though there should be one. 

Alcohol and Domestic Discipline

James and I are social butterflies. Our weekends usually always include at least one night of partying with our friends in the city. Combining partying and domestic discipline usually equates to trouble. 

Hypothetically, James and I do not even like to drink all that much. It would be a rare occasion for us to have more than a glass of wine on a weeknight. You can call it cliche, but most of the time alcohol only becomes a problem when we are peer pressured by our friends to take shots or play a drinking game. Luckily, since we have been married, saying no seems to be easier as our friends usually joke and saying we're the "old married couple" now. They also seem to have a better understanding that James makes the final decisions. 

I definitely have a limit. James likes to call it my point of no return. After a couple of drinks, when I have been feeling tipsy for a good while, the party girl within is released. Party-girl Kate is quite different than everyday Kate and our friends love her! James, on the other hand, knows that when she comes out he is going to have his hands full. 

When I reach my point of no return, the behaviors that usually end up getting me in trouble are:

1. Sassy/loud mouth. After a couple of drinks, I often times feel compelled to share my political opinions with anyone who will listen. I also often times feel the need to talk back any time James gives me an instruction.

2. Frisky and extra touchy-feely actions. In general we are a hands on couple, alcohol usually entices me to take it to the next level. One time I even tried to give him a hand job under the table. 

3. Sexy dance moves. I often times feel like it is my duty to shake my booty when one of my favorite songs come on. I'll either end up begging James to dance with me, or i'll dance with my girlfriends and come up with moves that only belong in rap videos.  

4. The urge to keep going. This usually takes me from tipsy to drunk. It also has been the catalyst for me staying out way past my curfew when I am out with the girls. 

5. Hangover. Lately it feels like anytime I drink I am hungover. Everyone says it's become i'm getting old. Well- it sucks! I hate hangovers and James rarely gets them. After a night on the town he can wake up feeling normal and I will spend the entire day craving junk food and have absolutely no motivation. Needless to say, I have often times have an ass ache to accompany my headache. 

Fortunately, or unfortunately, my husband doesn't have a point of no return. He is always in control. Last night when we went out and Party-girl Kate considered making an appearance. Luckily, James fought her off and there was minimal embarrassment. This morning, however, I got spanked for whining too much about my headache and snapping at James to leave me alone when he told me to hurry up when getting ready. 

On nights when he knows we are going to be out really late and that there will be a lot of temptations, he usually gives me a preemptive spanking. He also has made me wear a butt plug before, but that was only when our friends were staying with us and he wasn't able to give me a real spanking. 

What have I learned from all of this? Listen to James when he tells me to slow down- (easier said than done). Also, alcohol and domestic discipline don't mix. 

Have a safe Saturday night, everyone! :)

Non-Conspicious Submissive Fashion

By no means do I consider myself a fashionista.  I do, however, have an interest in shopping for clothing and accessories that please my husband and make me feel submissive. 

Here are my top five Non-Conspicuous Submissive Fashion Items:

1. Thigh highs. I have posted a classic pair with a garter belt, as well as my favorites from American Apparel. The thigh highs from American Apparel are pretty much just really long socks and are so comfortable! 

 

2. Circle Dresses and Skirts. James loves having access with a quick flip of my skirt. When dressing up, I am inspired by Mad Men. On most days, when I am casual, I like skirts from stores like the Gap. 

3. Wrap Bracelets. These are trendy and multi-funcional. It is super easy to turn these bracelets into light restraints. 

4. Braids. James likes for me to have my hair braided so he can pull on it without feeling like he is hurting me. He especially likes to use it when making me look him in the eye. (This is also one of my favorite parts of 50 Shades of Grey). 

5. Jewelry from my Husband. Every time I wear a piece of jewelry James has given me it reminds me that I belong to him. Now that we're married, my wedding rings are the best representation of this. Other pieces he has given me are a strand of pearls and a Karma bracelet.