POST IT!

A woman emailed me this week seeking advice about guest etiquette (we'll call her Emily). After reading my tip about preparing a comfortable guest room for visitors (11/20/08), Emily put together a lovely welcome basket complete with toiletries, theater tickets, robe, slippers and maps of the hiking trails in her area. The only problem with making guests feel at home is sometimes they forget it isn't theirs! A frustrated Emily has now highlighted the hiking maps hoping the guest gets the hint and takes a hike! See, Emily's adult son (still living at home) started dating a few months ago and asked if it would be okay for the girlfriend to come up one weekend. Emily, like any good mother, wanted to meet the girlfriend so welcomed her with open arms, but wanted to slap her across the face five minutes after meeting. She's abrasive, annoying, incredibly intrusive and, well, Emily can't stand her. Her son, however, is smitten and continues to bring her up weekend after weekend, disturbing the peace in what was once a quiet home. Hoping to kick this chic out of her nest with grace and style, Emily emailed me for advice. Because I feel somewhat responsible (it was a great tip after all), I channeled my inner Emily Post and suggested she purchase Emily Post Etiquette: A definitive Guide to Manners and leave it on her guests bed. Peggy Post (Emily Post's great grand daughter)wrote this lovely book which provides real life examples to help others relate to awkward situations, like guests that just won't leave! If that makes her pout, Emily, I'll show you how to paint a lovely mural above your guest bed that says, GET OUT!

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: Amazon delivers in 2 days

COST: $13.60 on http://www.amazon.com/ for Emily Post Etiquette: a definitive guide to manners

STRESS LEVEL: If the annoying guest gets it: LOW if not: HIGH