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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Thanks…an update from an expert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks to Paces Papers owner Jackie Howard and manager Kathy Davidson for their guidance on thank-you notes.
“We think you have up to two weeks for a thank you, so you don’t seem rude, for a dinner party or you were a house guest.”
New brides have a little more time.
“I think the old rule was months after, but so many people don’t know if you even got their gift and just want an acknowledgement so they can pay their store bill,” Howard said. “I would think about a month to month and a half for bridal notes is the maximum.”
However, if your guest list is so huge that it’s going to take forever to get your thank you notes out, Howard suggests gift acknowledgment cards, followed by proper notes when time permits.
How long is too long to wait to send a thank-you note?
Some colleagues and I were discussing this over lunch today. I shared with alarm the tale of a dinner guest who waited - clutch your pearls - three weeks to send a note.
Then I returned to my desk, realized I had a few horribly overdue notes to send myself and made a mental note to get them in the mail posthaste.
What’s the proper timeframe for thank you notes? Is a phone call, e-mail or, dear Lord, a text message sufficient?
Thanking you in advance for your guidance,
S.B.
Why are some people such slobs?
A friend and I took an informal sartorial poll outside the Fox Theatre Tuesday night.
Most folks who were there for the premiere of “The Color Purple” came dressed to impress.
Carolyn Young looked magnificent in a bold print jacket.
Artist Anthony Liggins and Debbie Noble rocked a fab-casual look. Aida Flamm’s trademark turquoise jewelry contrasted nicely with her elegant tunic, white with coral accents. Husband Allan Flamm, a bow-tie and pocket-square man, cut a courtly figure as usual.
Then there were the folks who showed up like they’d just come from the beach. Seriously, we spotted a few people walking into the theater wearing shorts, T-shirts, even flip-flops.
Flip-flops!
Sure, not everyone’s into dressing up, but come on.
I love the Atlanta Opera, and I guess they’re to be commended for pitching a big tent with this advisory on their Web site:
“People come to the opera dressed in everything from jeans to evening gowns, so please feel free to attend the opera in whatever clothes you feel comfortable.”
I’d prefer they employ a bouncer to roust anyone who shows up dressed to clean the gutters.
What’s your take? Is it disrespectful to performers and your fellow patrons when you dress like you’re going to change your oil right after the final curtain call? Or does a casual dress code project a more inclusive welcoming atmosphere?
By the way the image above is an archive photo. Maybe I should have snapped a few of the fashion offenders last night, but I don’t want to embarrass anyone. Here are some photos of folks who did get their looks together.
Carolyn Young and husband, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young.
Aida and Allan Flamm flank Debbie Noble and Anthony Liggins.
From left, cast members Hollie Wright, Latrisa Coleman and Brian Brooks. These folks worked hard Tuesday night! Is it too much to ask to expect audience members to dress suitably in return?
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An Olympic scandal in the ATL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Butterfly doesn’t usually read like the police blotter, but I leave for Beijing in three weeks as part of the AJC’s Olympics coverage team.
So here’s an Olympic tale wrought with scandal and intrigue.
Nicholas Wolaver was a lad growing up in America’s heartland when Atlanta was awarded the 1996 games. He wrapped up a degree in mass communications at Minnesota State, Mankato, in 1995 and hustled south, signing on with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.
His Olympic fervor persisted long after the last Izzy doll was sold at a yard sale, and he had a specialty tag that said OLYMPIC on his black Volvo sedan.
That’s right, had. Scoundrels made off with the tag Monday while Wolaver, a senior media supervisor at the Edelman public relations firm, was parked at Spring and Marietta streets downtown.
“If it was returned, I would sure appreciate it. I’m not seeking to prosecute,” said Wolaver, who says he’s received no ransom note from the perps and thus far has not considered a reward. “I can appreciate why someone would want something like that. There are a lot of people who collect Olympic items.”
Ebay abounds with all sorts of Olympics gear. Someone in Greensboro, N.C., is hawking a Wheaties box from the Atlanta Games for 8 bucks. A seller in Apopka, Fla., offers a sports guide from the 1996 Games for $3.25.
With this kind of cash to be made, Wolaver’s naturally concerned that someone will try to fence his tag, earning him a trip to the DMV for a new one. And even though the Olympics are supposed to stoke friendship and goodwill in hearts around the world, Wolaver’s not necessarily banking on victory.
“My expectations are low if it gets returned,” he said “I’d be really impressed if it did.”
Political columnist Dick Yarbrough, who handled public relations for the Atlanta Games, was saddened but not shocked to hear of his former employee’s misfortune.
“It isn’t surprising that he got ripped off. We had people climbing poles and stealing Centennial banners,” said Yarbrough, author of a book about the Atlanta Games, And They Call Them Games.
Pressed to account for his whereabouts on Monday, Yarbrough supplied an airtight alibi.
“I am innocent,” he protested. “ I was dragging the algae out of the Chinese lake at the time the crime occurred.”
