If you can't be a good example v.2

Okay jump to mid December. Remember these are real life experiences that I hope you learn from so you aren't the horrible warning.For the last ten or so years the women in my family have gone to lunch and theater in New York City with the children.Most of the time we go to Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas show. But we've seen The Lion King and Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast too.My mother has bought the tickets for the kids. This year it was all 5 of my nieces and nephews. And she pays for the train ride, and usually lunch.So, you know, it adds up. Especially for the Disney shows.But most of the time she was glad to do it. Except for this year.First of all, my aunt and cousin get lost and blame Mom. They didn't pay attention to where they were going. In one of the biggest, busiest cities on the planet they let their attention wander. With 5 kids. Smart.Second, they don't understand that when theatre starts at 2, theater starts at 2. So hurrying is a good thing. You don't stop to put on hats or look at store windows or gawk at celebrities. It doesn't start at 2:30 or whenever you decide to get there.Third, please don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk on Broadway and dither about what you want to do next. I mean it's a pretty busy place. Same goes for Times Square. Unless you are taking photos with the Naked Cowboy. ;D But that's different.Okay, fourth and most important. When someone treats you to theatre and lunch and a train ride to NYC thank them. Offer them candy, or to pay for their lunch or buy them a souvenir. SOMETHING for crying out loud. Just to show them that you aren't totally selfish and self-absorbed.And fifth. It's standard etiquette to leave with the person you came with. Check Emily Post, Miss Manners, The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Etiquette, How to be a Lady, ect. So yes, that means sitting with them on the train, unless the train doesn't have enough seats when you get on. That's different.So here endeth the lesson. But stay tuned for lesson 3.