Travel Etiquette

Dear Cotillion Students,

With Spring Break next coming up soon for many of my students, I thought that we would focus on travel etiquette this week.

Ladies and gentlemen know that good manners can make any trip more enjoyable. They never take a vacation from their good manners or leave their good manners at home!

Prepare for your trip:

• Make a packing list with your parents’ help and assume the responsibility for packing your own bag. 
• Have your bag packed and ready to go a minimum of 12 hours before departure time. It will reduce stress for you and your parents.
• When it is time to go, be prepared and ready to go so that you don’t keep your family waiting.
• It’s always a good idea to have a few snacks in your backpack – just in case. (If someone in your family is not quite as prepared, be ready to share – happily!)

 Airplanes:

• Be aware of others belongings as you load things into the overhead bin. 
• Wait patiently for each row to empty from the front of the plane back. Standing in the aisle ahead of time, blocks the flow of passengers trying to exit. 
• Leave the armrest down. It is there for your comfort, as well as the passenger’s next to you.
• Keep your belongings in your space, do not encroach on your seat mate’s space.
• Be sure to dispose of any trash and leave your area clean when you leave.
• Make sure to take all of your belongings with you when you exit.

 Hotels:

• Be respectful of other guests – keep your volume down at night or when in the halls.
• Clean up after yourself in the bathroom and in your hotel room, it makes it a nicer environment for you and your family members during your stay. 

Restaurants:

• Show respect to your server. Look them in the eye when placing your order. Be sure to thank them.
• Be respectful of other diners by keeping your volume down. Don’t let your having a fun time diminish theirs.
• Use good table manners. It makes it nicer for you and for those dining with you.
• Enjoy the time with your family and participate in the dinner table conversation.
• No phones at the table. (Nope! Not even on your lap to text or play games.) Be present!
• Be sure to express appreciation to your parents or grandparents for your meal. 

When In Line:

• Amusement park lines, waiting to park, waiting to board a plane, waiting to be seated at a restaurant – all give you an opportunity to practice patience. 
• If you have younger siblings, do what you can to help entertain them.
• Be kind to those that are trying to take care of those in line. It is stressful for the employees during busy times, and they are frequently treated unkindly.

 Get Into The Spirit of The Party:

• Choose to have a great time!
• If you have to wait, or you are not doing your favorite activity at that time, or the car ride seems long – be patient. Make it the best possible experience that you can for your family. These are precious times and you have the opportunity to make some great memories. 
• Never let a poor attitude keep you from having the best time possible.

 Be Grateful:

• Express gratitude to your parents for taking you on vacation, for the planning, preparations and expense that go into it.
• Be aware that the ‘real gift’ is the gift of time with your family.
• Express appreciation to everyone that you come in contact with that is offering a service to you.

Be the kind of travel companion that you would want to travel with. 

I hope that if you are traveling over Spring Break or if you are staying at home that you have a wonderful time!

Love,

Mrs. Achiu