• The host and hostess (giving the dinner) generally sit at each end of the table. In some cases if there are grandparents or great grandparents and depending on the culture they will sit at each end of the table.
• If the dinner is fancy and there will be soup, salad and a main course then the table should be set with dinner plate on bottom, salad plate on top of that and the soup bowl on top of the salad plate. Cutlery to each side of the plate with a napkin (sometimes people will put the napkin in the wine glass).
• Don't start to eat until everyone is seated. Some people may say a prayer of thanks before eating and if you are a non believer at least bow your head. Don't simply just 'dig into the food!' The host and hostess are the ones that should pick up their knife and fork first to eat and everyone else follows suit.
• Place your napkin on your lap and DON'T tuck it into the top of your dress, blouse or shirt.
• If it's a fancy dinner then work from the outside in. Soup may be served first, then a salad and then the main course. When eating soup you cup the soup spoon (hollow side) away from you and scoop the soup up that way. No slurping! Then the smaller fork is used for the salad (and even perhaps a smaller knife depending on the salad.) The smaller knife is a 'butter knife' and can be used if buns are served. If the table is set properly there should be a separate plate for your bun. If there is no plate for the bun then putting the bun on your dinner plate is acceptable.
• If wine is served it's usually served from the right or, if it's a simple family dinner the bottle is passed along the table. If you don't like wine then just say so. Water glasses with ice water should also be placed at the top of the dinner/salad plates.
• Don't feel you have to eat everything that is given you. Say nothing, but pass the food (if not served by a maid) to the next person. If a maid or (if in a restaurant) a waiter/waitress is serving then just quietly say 'no thank you.' Don't take huge portions of food because you can always go back for seconds (if asked!)
• When you finish your main course cross your knife and fork across your plate (this means you are finished.) If you aren't finished and would like more then place your knife and fork on the plate side by side. This is only used at wealthy banquets or at high end restaurants. When eating at someones home cross your knife and fork on the plate. The Hoestess will usually ask if you would like another portion of everything and if you want to then do so.
• If eating with a family then offer to help clear the table or even do dishes.
• Be sure you thank the host and hostess for the delicious meal.
• A lot of the mannerisms that are expected of anyone while eating are mostly common sense really. Well, actually it's a little common sense and a little of learning from a good website. Act like a gentleman or lady, which ever the case.

There is nothing greater than fear itself, Personally if he said hi befor he answer the phone, that's one less pleasentry I have to fake back.

ANSWER

hello it doesnt seem like a big deal if he talks to himself.if you get along with him or her just casually bring up the subject.if your boss doesnt seem to mind it should not bother you.some people just get really excited and answer upfront but if no harm is done don't let it bother you .

Tell him to shut his trap and listen for once. He sounds very annoying.

The first poster hit it right on. What is the big deal? Don't ever tell someone to "shut up" because you don't know the health of this person. Perhaps they have had a brain injury, or have a disease that can cause some of these sides effects.

The question is .... does he give you the right answer to your question before you ask it? LOL I'd call him brilliant if he does!

I work with someone who does that, and it drives me nuts. I really sympathize with you, because it'd be great, especially in the open environment of a cubicle workplace, to tell him to knock it off because it's so distracting and annoying. In my case, at least, I have reason to think this person is mentally ill, so I'm practicing restraint. It's really hard some days.

Probably because if they wore it on their right hand thumb - the dominant hand that's always doing stuff for most people - it would constantly get snagged on things. Worn on the left thumb, it's more out of the way.

Well I am a straight woman and I have worn a thumb ring on my left hand for at least 5 years now. Not because I am single, or because I have rings on every other finger. It is because I like the way it looks on my thumb. I wear it on my left hand because I am right hand dominant and just as the above answer stated, it does not get in the way. I wear my WEDDING ring on my left hand and the thumb ring(and maybe one other small ring on the middle finger) then I may wear one ring on my right middle finger.

I think it is fashionable. Nowadays everyone is looking for a "sign" to dictate a persons sexuality- its 2008 people, why not just ask the person? I am sure that since times have changed, people are more comfortable about their sexuality and will let you know which "side" they walk on. Either way, lets leave rings and colors out of it and let's just communicate!!!

A ring on a womans left thumb in combination with a wedding band on the ring finger means she is married but looking for sex with other men

You can call him whatever you want, free speech, right? Unless you are in the military, there is no law or code of rules and standards you must follow when addressing the president.

Having said that, although there is no mandate to do so, the tradition and standard protocol for showing the due respect to the President and the office he holds, is to call him either President Obama or Mr. President. Barack Obama is appropriate in some situations, but not Mr. Obama. He has earned the title and we should respect that enough to use proper etiquette and protocol when we address him. Very close friends and family may have been given his permission to call him Barack, but usually even they do so only in private, adopting the proper protocol in public.