Congratulations. You’re in love. You’re engaged. Your bride has probably been whisked away in a whirlwind of wedding planning and shopping. You might not even recognize her anymore. Hopefully she is still that sweet girl you fell in love with and not a “bridezilla” or crazy woman.

The bride and her family make the bulk of all wedding decisions and purchases. They take care of so many details and complicated planning. One of the few things that the groom must do, and do without a hitch, is select and purchase the groomsmen gifts.

What are groomsmen gifts? I know. You’re new to all this wedding stuff. Groomsmen gifts are basically thank you gifts to your best man, groomsmen and ushers, you know, the guys that wear the tuxedos too in your wedding. It’s only proper to thank your guys for participating in your wedding with a gift.

Typically a groomsmen gift is an engraved gift. Personalization shows you took a little extra time and put in a bit of thought to make the gift special and meaningful to the recipient. Engraving also can turn a modest gift into a cherished keepsake as it is the thought that counts and not how much money you spend.

It’s a smart idea to order groomsmen gifts at least 2 months in advance of your wedding date. You want to give yourself a little wiggle room if the items you want are special order and take a little time to come in from the vendor. Engraving takes about a week usually as well. Shipping via UPS ground can take a week if you are shipping from one coast to the other. Planning ahead and not waiting until the last minute will save you expedite/rush fees and additional shipping expenses.

When you receive your groomsmen gifts (most grooms order these online nowadays to save money), be sure to look them over and make sure the engraving is accurate. Engravers are human and occasionally will make a typo. Best to find out right away instead of the day you’re handing out your gifts!

A good time to hand out the groomsmen gifts is the rehearsal dinner. All the guys will be there. This will most likely be the last night you’ll see everyone together before the wedding. Perfect time to distribute the groomsmen gifts. This way you won’t have to worry about it on your wedding day.

If you are giving out flasks for groomsmen gifts, a better time is right at the start of the bachelor party. The bachelor party is usually before the rehearsal dinner. Only the most foolish of grooms would have the bachelor party the night before the wedding. Think about how awful you’ll look in your wedding pictures if you’re a mess and all hung over! Again, please plan ahead on this one and use common sense. Get the bachelor party done at least one to two weeks before the wedding so that your sweet bride-to-be does not have to worry about you.

Gunther Gifts Inc. is a great online source for groomsmen gifts such as flasks, Zippo lighters, pub signs, beer mugs, pocket knives such as Gerber and Buck, wallets, pocket watches, baseball bats and so much more cool, affordable groomsmen gift ideas.

It’s the heart of the good old summertime, and men everywhere have descended on the resort towns, beaches, casinos, and other vacation hot spots. Sadly, many of them are enjoying their leisure time solo - and by solo, we do not mean Han Solo, who was always pretty good at winning the hearts of the ladies.

Oh, you could think about a lot of reasons that you aren’t being bombarded by babes battling for your affections. Perhaps the ladies in question are not inclined toward the opposite sex, or perhaps they’re just plain nuts. But maybe - just maybe - before you pass judgment on them, you should take a quick look in the mirror.

Back in the days before the Slobbification of America took place, men would pack very different attire in their summer vacation valises than what they’d pack for a business trip. Gone would be the blue or gray flannel suit, Oxford-cloth shirts, and wingtips. Instead, the suitcase would contain blazers, Madras shirts, a white dinner jacket, and slacks - including the de rigueur white flannel variety.

Today, the summer suitcase can be much lighter, thanks to a number of cunning, if vile, innovations in the way of men’s attire. However, most of these creations are not worn well by the vast majority of men, who appear dumpy, cheap, and shoddy in them.

First and foremost among the vacation clothing that one should never, ever wear is the tank top. I don’t know exactly why these are called tank tops - perhaps this is what people driving heavy, hot metal tanks during World War II wore, because driving a tank can be a hot, sweaty business. Maybe they’re called tank tops because people who wear them look like the bulging part of water tanks. Or perhaps - and I believe this to be the most likely - they’re called tank tops because one would only really choose to wear such a garment if one was tanked.

By tanked, lest there be any mistake, I mean totally wasted drunk.

When women think of tank tops, they don’t think of NBA stars and guys in the Olympics. No. What women think of when they see a guy in a tank top is Tony Soprano lumbering down the driveway in that ratty old bathrobe to pick up the paper. Or of his nephew Christopher snorting a line of cocaine. If she’s not familiar with the Sopranos, then you can pretty much guess that she’s thinking about that well-known tank top-wearing athlete - Richard Simmons.

A tank top brings out all the worst in the body of any man who is not working out at least six hours a day. ‘Nuff said.

Another Generic Beer in the Great Big Urinal of Bad Fashion is that old staple, the Hawaiian shirt. This statement must be prefaced with the assertion that Hawaiian shirts are acceptable - if you’re in Hawaii. Otherwise, this garment brings to mind the old guys who really, really like Jimmy Buffett, Larry from Three’s Company, and once again, Tony Soprano.

Let’s just cut to the chase - anything that Tony Soprano would wear is not going to be a good choice. So add to your list of no-no’s velour jogging suits, which were another popular item apparel in Tony’s well-padded closet.

I totally understand that Tony Soprano appeared to get a lot of women on that show. To put to rest any confusion on your part, let me reiterate that the Sopranos was a TV show. All of the women won by Tony Soprano were actresses, bound by their contracts to appear to have tender feelings for him. In his case, clothes did not make the man.

Okay, okay, okay. So pack a few tank tops if you must, and even throw in some rubber flip-flops. However, err on the side of class and good taste and pack at least one good suit or jacket and tie, some well-tailored shirts, some stylish ties, and a few pairs of unique designer silver cufflinks.

Cufflinks are an excellent choice of accessory for a guy trying to start a conversation - and maybe more - with the lady of his choice. Because they are unfailingly stylish and proper, said lady will be more likely to sit and chat over a glass of wine - or a big-ass pina colada - with you than if you happened to be wearing a tank top and a pair of elastic-waist shorts.

They also come in many styles, so you’ll find a pair appropriate to whatever locale you happen to be visiting. If you’re in Florida, choose a pair of alligator links, or turtles for the Galapagos, or sharks for Australia. If you’re on a golf trip, pick a pair of cufflinks fashioned like golf balls, or if you’re in Paris, choose some tiny silver Eiffel Tower cufflinks.

The fact is that the number of styles available is really limitless, so expand your horizons - and your chances - by picking up a few pairs, and see how far it gets you.

Whether your interests are in silver, gold, artistic, sports, or other theme-related cufflinks we’ve got you covered. Cufflink Aficionado carries a broad range of men’s cufflinks designed to meet each connoisseur’s individual style and interest. Our selection of mens cuff links are sure to top off that perfect look.

If you have started looking for opportunities as a network marketer or you have spent some time working with such businesses already, there is good chance that you have heard about gifting programs. At first glance, gifting programs have a lot to recommend them, but before you get started with one, there is a lot that you need to be aware of. The first thing that you should know is that in many states they are illegal, and with this in mind, you need to take into consideration your location and local laws.

Essentially, gifting programs work the way that putting a dollar in chain letter and adding your name to the bottom of a list does. At it’s most basic, you send a certain amount of communication to to people that you know or have contact information for and request that they send you money. Then, they in turn send out letters requesting the same. It plays on the fact that each person only has to send in a very small amount and that they will soon be rewarded for a very small amount of effort.

The issue with these programs is that they are not really businesses at all, nor are they a reliable way to make money. You will find that the people who you are hoping involve will decline, and then not only is the contribution they were to have made lost, but so is any revenue that came from the people below them. Gifting programs, while they can be quite widespread and can generate an impressive amount of money, will invariably collapse on themselves.

One of the popular aspects of the gifting programs is the fact that it hints towards generosity and generosity that will be rewarded at that. The fact is, the closer you are to the origination of the program, the more likely it is that you will get something out of it. There is often no way to tell how far it has progressed by the time it gets to you, and there is nothing that says that any of the people you contact will respond at all.

Some companies now use complicated software so no one can cheat anyone, the money goes straight to the company. But according to MLM Law, they might not be able to do this. Before I joined any gifting club, I would ask the owner if I could visit his office and speak with him first, especially if I depended to use gifting to allow myself to earn a full-time income.

The issue is that gifting programs are so simple to understand that they often draw people who would otherwise never touch anything like network marketing. There is no convoluted or complex compensation program, but chances are, there will be no compensation at all! Many people never even seen their initial low investment back in programs like these. However, I’ve personally met a few

A gifting program is a difficult proposition at best, and an illegal one at worst. Usually they are easy to identify, and you’ll find that it is always better to give them a wide berth.

Learn more about Brian Garvin and Jeff West at Internet Marketing Review Kings and MLM Review Kings today. Use this article freely but please leave Resource Box intact.

Tipping has become a customary part of North American society. Usually when someone performs a service for us we leave a gratuity. Most people are aware when to tip but how much to tip is always a difficult subject.

The amount you should tip varies from person to person, job to job, city to city and state to state. However, there are some general guidelines that work in most situations.

When it comes to the pizza delivery driver how much to tip is determined by a number of different factors. The absolute golden rule to remember though is that you should always tip the pizza delivery driver. They are providing you an invaluable service and deserve to be remunerated accordingly.

Why Tip The Driver?

Pizza delivery drivers have a demanding job. Not only do they have to locate homes all over the city, usually at night, but do so in a timely fashion.

They deal with winter driving conditions, pouring rain, traffic and a list of other in-store duties. They use their own vehicles (not company cars as a lot of people assume) and have to pay for maintenance and commercial insurance.

In the course of a regular delivery they expend a lot of energy and time finding your house or apartment. Many houses do not have visible numbers, especially at night, and in a lot of cities parking is non-existent forcing the driver to walk with your order no matter what the weather conditions. Apartment buildings can be a maze and sometimes pets are a hazard to unsuspecting delivery drivers.

While you only see the driver for a few minutes at your door they have spent a significant amount of time and energy to deliver your pizza to you.

On top of this pizza delivery drivers are in danger of being robbed every time they leave the store. In the U.S. in particular, the government considers pizza delivery a hazardous occupation. This is due to statistics that show pizza delivery drivers are third on the list for being murdered at work after police officers and taxi drivers.

For all this work the companies that employ drivers pay most minimum wage. Drivers, just like restaurant servers, rely on tips to earn a decent living.

How Much To Tip?

Tipping amounts vary slightly depending on the region. For a place like Ajax, Toronto you would expect to tip approximately the same as for restaurant servers:

• 12-15% is the general rule.

• 20% or more should be given for extraordinary service.

• 10% or less for poor quality service.

• No tip for rude behavior or extremely bad service.

• For orders less than $20 a $3 minimum tip should apply.

• For orders more than $50 a 10% minimum should apply.

• During foul or extreme weather it is considerate to tip a little more. You don’t want to go outside so think about how the driver feels. They have to deal with excessive heat, snow, freezing rain, windstorms etc.

• If you live a long way from the store you should also tip a little more. One or two dollars extra being the average. This is the polite thing to do when you know it will take the driver at least 20-30 minutes to reach your home.

In the end please remember that delivery drivers work hard to provide you with an invaluable service. Most of us order pizza when the weather is bad, usually at night and on the weekend. It is a great convenience and a service we would not have if it weren’t for the delivery drivers.

Pizza Pizza, est. 1967, has over 300 locations, including Pizza Pizza Ajax, Ontario

Your contemporary wedding invitation is the first impression your big day will make on the members of your guest list. Whether you’ve decided to go for understated floral elegance, a humorous depiction of the bride and groom, or a bright and bold card stock, your wedding invitation is the one thing that almost everyone will remember as they prepare to share in this momentous event. However, no matter how contemporary your invitations are or how modern your wedding will be, one thing remains certain: traditional wedding invitation etiquette is a must.

Although some invitation etiquette is based only on tradition, many of the following guidelines are also used because they are simply the polite way of doing things. It is always best to use your discretion to determine what is best for you; however, it is equally important to remember that weddings are typically all about creating an overall impression of propriety. Even if you’re going down the contemporary and modern road, tradition can go a long way in putting your guests at ease and making them feel like an important part of your wedding.

What to Put in the Invitation

Most brides and grooms should use their entire names on the invitation, including the first, middle, and last name. Nicknames and initials should be avoided wherever possible.

Spell out all the words on your contemporary wedding invitation, including times, dates, addresses, and even years. The exception to this is if you are working with names that are followed by numbers (such as “Harold the third”). In this instance, use Roman numerals.

When applicable, use insertions (the thin, tissue-like paper that goes inside the pages of an invitation). Although these aren’t really needed to blot ink, as they were historically called upon to do, most people enjoy the elegance of the gesture.

Refrain from indicating where you are registered. If someone really wants to know, they can always ask someone in the wedding party.

How to Address and Send Envelopes

Make sure you include (and Guest) when inviting a single adult to your wedding. Few people enjoy attending such a romantic event alone, so it will be appreciated if you encourage your guests to bring a friend or date.

If you are inviting couples with different last names (for example, Mr. John Jones and Mrs. Jane Smith), the male should be listed first. For same gender pairs, go in alphabetical order by last name.

If more than one non-familial adult live in the same house (for example, roommates who share an apartment but are in no way related or dating), it’s proper to send each person their own invitation.

Double check all addresses before you put them on paper. Blotted or crossed out errors are the quickest way to make your contemporary wedding invitations look tacky.

Self-address and stamp the envelopes used for responses. Not only is it polite, but you’ll probably get more people who RSVP.

Send your contemporary wedding invitations out six to eight weeks in advance. In the busy seasons, this will help people to plan accordingly – especially if they are traveling from another location.

There is No Wrong Way to Do Things

The level to which you adhere to traditional wedding invitation etiquette depends primarily on how formal you want your event to be. For example, a ceremony composed of a small gathering of intimate friends and family members on the beach certainly doesn’t require the same kind of formal etiquette that a 300-person catered affair would.

At the same time, a wedding is still a wedding, and most people are familiar with certain types of etiquette and formality. It is always best to err on the side of tradition, even when sending out your decidedly contemporary wedding invitations.

Andy West is a writer for Kardella Kreations, which offers many unique styles of invitations including contemporary wedding invitations.

In different cultures, the practice of handing out business cards varies. What applies in the freewheeling United States might not apply in the tradition-bound Asian countries of Japan and China. In fact, even the color and design of your business card holders play an important role in doing business in these countries!

Liberal United States

When you deal with fellow Americans, you will notice that business cards are treated liberally. You can just shove them in your pocket or wallet, without even glancing at them! However, if you wish to make a better impression, you can follow certain things.

- You should whip out your business card holder and hand out your business cards only when the other person requests you or if you are engaged in a business discussion.

- You have to refrain from asking a higher-ranked person’s card unless that person asks for your card first or if you were introduced by a third party.

- You have to respect someone’s card much as you want your card to be respected by the other person. You have to read and study the card, even for just a moment. Wait until you can dispose of it discreetly, if you wish to do so.

Tradition-Bound China

When in China, or in Japan for that matter, you should carry double-sided business cards at all times. One side should have English-language information while the other side has Chinese-language (or Japanese-language) information. You are well advised to consult reputable translation companies to ensure that your cards meet local cultural standards.

Your double-sided cards are necessary because it would be strange and clumsy to have two separate business card holders with you at all times!

When exchanging business cards, always remember these pointers to show your respect:

- You have to give and receive business cards with both hands outstretched.

- You have to either hold the card for some time or place the cards on the table. You have to avoid immediately putting the cards inside your business card holders lest you be seen as ill-mannered.

- You have to present the cards according to status, with higher-ranking personalities given your first priority in handing out your card. Do your research first before going to a meeting.

- You have to avoid too much white in your business card holders and business cards. White is the color of mourning; you will do better with red cards.

Big in Japan

Like the Chinese, Japanese treat business cards with respect. You will be well advised to avoid typical American brashness in this area if you wish to seal the deal. You should also hand out double-sided business cards in Japan. Here are a few more pointers:

- When you receive and give business cards, you have to do so with both hands and slightly bow while doing it.

- Like in China, make sure that you present the card with its Japanese side showing up so that the recipient can read it immediately, without need of turning the card around.

- You have to study the cards, make a mental note of the names, and then you can put away in your business card holders. Or better yet, lay all the cards on the table so that you can distinguish who’s who, especially during a first meeting.

Just remember all these and you will be fine in both Asian and American environments.

When in Asia, do as the Asians do. Impress them with your engraved business card holders and treat them to a night in town courtesy of your engraved money clip. Always make sure that you have plenty of business card holders with you. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com now!

As cell phones are becoming a part of daily life for most Americans, it has become necessary to develop a new set of manners to allow people to use these devices while being considerate to others around them.

Many areas such as airplanes and hospitals have signs posted stating that your cell phone must be turned off. These locations have installed these policies due to the fact that wireless devices can interfere with the function of equipment that these locations utilize that is important to maintaining or protecting human life. When entering one of these areas, you should immediately shut your cell phone off, no questions asked.

There are also locations that a cell phone should be shut off, even if there are no warnings posted. Examples of these “no cell phone” locations are the library, the theatre, and Sunday church services. It will be distracting to others if you are carrying on a conversation on your phone in these kinds of settings.

Whether you are in college or high school, you should turn your cell phone off whenever you enter a classroom environment. A cell phone ringing can distract attention from the subject that is being discussed. Using your cell phone in this setting is also showing a lack of respect to your instructor and the lessons that he is trying to teach.

The use of a cell phone during a wedding or a funeral is also considered poor etiquette. It is disrespectful to the family as well as to other individuals who are present at these solemn occasions. Again, you should turn your cell phone off when attending these events.

The use of cell phones in a restaurant is acceptable in certain circumstances. If you are out with a group of friends, talking on your phone is fine. If you are eating dinner with a friend or a loved one, you should turn it off so that the other person feels that your attention is totally on them. If you are having a business lunch, cell phone calls should only be answered if the call is related to the business at hand. Otherwise, you can return the call later.

As well as the cell phones themselves, your cell phone ringtone may be offensive to others as well. Today’s cell phone users have the option of picking their own ringtones, including popular songs that may not be appropriate to be played in public. If you are standing in line at the subway or bus station, the people around you may not want to hear inappropriate lyrics or loud music every time your phone rings. You should pick a more traditional ringtone that can be utilized whenever you are in a public setting.

Many of the devices also have the option that allows you to play songs while the party is waiting for you to answer the phone. Again, you should pick music that is appropriate for any person who may be calling you. For example, your boss may not want to listen to lyrics that contain obscenities while he is waiting for you to pick up. Something more traditional would be appropriate in this case as well.

Cell phone etiquette is similar to other forms of good manners. You just need to be considerate of those around you and use a little common sense when deciding the appropriate times to use your cell phone. The rest is up to you.

You just got a new cell phone or you want to personalize your current cell phone visit this article on cell phone accessories.

You walk into a sauna ready to enjoy yourself when you suddenly hear what sounds like something from a horror movie. The loud breathing you hear over your shoulder has you frightened to turn around because you’re afraid that what you will see is some unearthly creature with red glowing eyes and big teeth. But after a few seconds of hesitation and mental reasoning that there is no such thing as monsters, you turn around to find that it is your uncle Bob got to the sauna before you did. What is worse is that not only is he breathing like he just ran a marathon, but he isn’t wearing a towel. And you just told yourself that there are no such things as monsters.

Uncle Bob is the perfect example as to what not to do in a sauna. It is true that the United States doesn’t exactly have a set of sauna rules like in European saunas, but many times it is just common sense for the sake of yourself and for the sake of those around you. In other words, a sauna is an excellent place for you to become your own worst enemy. If you notice that everyone in the sauna leaves when you arrive, then you know there is an issue.

Sauna etiquette

If you find that everyone is running from you when you arrive at the sauna or you are hearing huffs and puffs of aggravation while you’re there, maybe it is time to evaluate your sauna etiquette. Below are 10 things you should do and shouldn’t do to get you started:

- Do take a shower before going into the sauna. That way if you’re already sweaty or you’ve been in a pool with heavy chlorine, there’s no strange smell. Showering also minimizes germs and bacteria.

- Don’t breathe loudly. Loud breathing is not a pleasant sound for those wishing to relax. Imagine someone breathing hard in your ear while you’re trying to enjoy yourself.

- Do wear a towel. As with uncle Bob, many may find nothing wrong with being naked in a sauna. There are no rules that say not to, but a towel should be worn at all times for the sake of others. It is okay to not have shame, but others may not find it so appealing.

- Don’t talk loud. Keep it to a low whisper if you must talk. Others in the sauna may not want to hear about the bad date you had last night.

- Do stay in for as long as you’re comfortable. You don’t want to have a “who can stay in the longest” contest. This could result in some really annoying noises and others being concerned with whether or not you’re overdoing it. This can make the environment unpleasant for them.

- Don’t use the sauna as a “hook up” place if you have a romantic interest in one of those in the sauna with you. This can make the sauna experience unpleasant for that person and those around you.

- Do read the rules posted outside of the sauna before going in. This is the fool-proof way of having a pleasant experience.

- Don’t moan and groan even though the sauna is pleasant. This could be frightening to others.

- Do mind your own business and do not stare at others in the sauna. This could be quite uncomfortable.

- Don’t burst out laughing if told something funny. This could scare others in the sauna.

Follow these ten etiquette tips and you will be able to enjoy the sauna experience to its fullest without compromising the relaxation of those around you. As for uncle Bob, he is a different story.

Wholesale provider of saunas and steambaths. Find more information at the Sauna Blog.