Ceremonies and Courtesies

By: Demetria Pappas and Lisa Iadicicco

Commencement Courtesies…  Begin your celebration with the proper behavior. Be sure that you are invited to the ceremony and the celebration. Generally, there are only an allotted number of tickets available for the convocational ceremony—Even if you think you are the BFF of the graduate, be sure to ask. Plan to stay for the whole ceremony. Do not be discourteous and leave after your graduate is recognized.

Cards, Announcements, and Invitations… Be sure to read thoroughly the correspondence sent to you. Is it an announcement or an invitation?—these are two different situations. An announcement is alerting you about the “passage” of the graduate. An invitation is inviting you to attend a celebration in recognition of the graduate. It is not bad manners to not send a gift for an announcement, yet a small token of acknowledgment is appreciated ($5.00 coffee card). It is bad manners to not send a gift or bring a gift if you are invited to the celebration. Regardless of whether or not you are able to attend, the right thing to do is send a gift. It is inappropriate to ask who else is invited.

Ceremonial Clothing for Commencement: Be respectful and gracious in your attire. Therefore, this is not the time to wear the trend of the week. If you wear a hat to the ceremony, be sure to remove it upon sitting.

Crying and Clapping: Most ceremonies request that applause be held to the finale. Respect this request. Depending upon the size of the audience, your graduate may not want to have to look into the crowd to acknowledge your “who-yoos”—This is a rite of passage for them, and they should have the right to remember every moment without the interruption of screaming horns..Also, reserve the “who-yoos” for them face-to-face!—be a role model to them in respecting the guidelines of the ceremony.

Closing Comments: Stay to the end. It is an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Unless, you are catching a plane and need to dash—Do so with Dignity, and let your graduate’s family know about your departure time.

Call on Mother, May I for additional advice at MMIpgh@gmail.com

Check us out on our website www.mothermayisite.org or call us at 412.531.2050 for more information on how we can make your life experience…nicer.

Demetria Pappas and Lisa Iadicicco are the Co-founders of Mother, May I-a premier company that trains and teaches proper behavior, common courtesies and social skills updated. MMI is licensed to train professionals in Protocol and Corporate etiquette.  MMI provides customized presentations for all audiences. MMI’s Mission  is to share valuable information for everyone to improve their world–“Changing your manners, may change your world”