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Shmanners

Join husband Travis McElroy and wife Teresa McElroy every Friday and they'll improve your etiquette week by week! Perplexed by thank you notes? Baffled by black tie? Dismayed by dinner parties? Worry no more, Shmanners has your answers! Tune in every Friday on MaximumFun.org!
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Now displaying: 2016
Dec 23, 2016

Hello Internet! We have a very special episode for you! This episode all about VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS was recorded live at this year's Candlenights live show! We sure hope you enjoy it! Have a happy (AND SAFE!) holiday and we'll see you in 2017!

Dec 16, 2016

Hello there Internet! What's that behind your back? A present? FOR US?! Well, we got you something too! It's a brand new episode all about HOLIDAY GIFTS: GIVING AND RECEIVING! First, hear us discuss our own gift philosophies! Then, we discuss some famous gifts from history! We answer a whole mess of your gift questions too! What's the policy on re-gifting? Do you need to match monetary values? Who do you have to give presents to? All these and more! Enjoy the episode and feel free to share this gift with your friends!

Dec 10, 2016

Happy holidays internet! We got you a brand new episode! What's that? You didn't get us anything? That's totally ok! As discussed in this episode, gift giving isn't about getting something in return! But mostly, we're talking about HOLIDAY PARTIES! Should you drink to excess? Do you have to go? What's the point? And what's the deal with a White Elephant gift exchange? Answers to all these and even more of your questions in this episode! Enjoy and remember to share!

Dec 2, 2016

Hello Internet! How are you? How's it going? What's up? What's shakin'? This week, we are discussing the art of CONVERSATION! Understandably, for many this is the hardest manners challenge there is! How do you start a conversation? How do you END a conversation?! How do you deal with being interrupted/interrupting others? How does one schmooze? All this plus answers to even more of your question! Enjoy and please remember to share!

Nov 26, 2016

Hello Internet and happy Thanksgiving weekend! Sure, we all think we know about Benjamin Franklin! He loved kites, witty sayings, and turkeys! ...right? Well, maybe we don't know as much about the almanac author as we thought, but we're sure gonna find out a little bit more! Enjoy and remember to share!

Nov 18, 2016

Hello Internet! American THANKSGIVING is almost upon us and we imagine you have quite a few concerns and questions! What do you talk about? What should you bring? Should you help clean up? How did this whole thing get started? Bonus question, what's the deal with those Macy's parade balloons? We have answers to these questions and more! Enjoy and be sure to share!

Nov 13, 2016

Hello Internet! After a brief baby leave, we are back! This time, we're talking RETAIL ETIQUETTE! How do you talk to a retail employee? Where did department stores and supermarkets come from? How do you speed up the whole shopping process? What's the history behind shopping stuff anyway? All that, plus even more answers to your questions! Enjoy and don't forget to share!

Oct 21, 2016

Hello Internet! Well, you've finally reached that age and it is time for you to debut! How do you debut you ask? Well, have you taken you dance classes? What about your etiquette classes? Have you reached "maturity"? You see, DEBUTANTE BALLS and COTILLIONS are all about entering society. Lord Byron referred to them as "marriage marts" and he wasn't far off! We'll give you the history of balls and cotillions and we'll even give you a play by play of a modern day ball! Enjoy and don't forget to share!

Oct 7, 2016

Hello Internet! We've got a little bundle of joy for you... a new episode all about BABY SHOWERS! People have been celebrating impending babies for a real long time, but how has it changed? Where did our modern day traditions start? Why do so many people think men should be excluded? What's the deal with presents? When do you throw a shower? Can you throw one for yourself? We have answers to all these questions and more! Enjoy and please share.

Sep 30, 2016

Hello there Internet! We have another special bio episode for you! Learn all about the original Dandy: BEAU BRUMMELL! We'll tell you about how good he was with collars and how bad he was with money! From his school days to his brief military career! It was a roller coast life for Beau! Enjoy and remember to share with friends!

Sep 23, 2016

Hello and welcome to a very special episode! Have you found yourself listening to Shmanners and wondering "Hey now! Just who is this 'Emily Post' person they keep mentioning?!" Well, wonder no more! You are about to learn everything you never knew that you didn't know about the amazing Emily Post! Enjoy!

Sep 16, 2016

Hey there sports fans and non-fans! It's American FOOTBALL season and you know what that means! Excitement! Action! And lots of people screaming at the TV while you're just trying to hang out with friends! Well, practice your football Shmanners and you won't be the one yelling at least! We've got some football history, answers to your questions and as a special treat, Travis attempts to explain the rules of Football as briefly as he possibly can! Enjoy and remember to pass the episode to a friend!

Sep 9, 2016

Hello Internet! Ahhh, the leaves are changing and the air is turning colder. Walmart shelves are full of TMNT folders and Disney notebooks... must be time to go BACK TO SCHOOL! But how do you get off on the right foot with a new dorm mate? How do you deal with the stress of introducing yourself to the class? How many questions are too many? Is it ok to be a first name teacher? Answer to these and the history of public school awaits you inside! Enjoy our back to school episode, and don't forget to share!

Sep 2, 2016

Would you do us the honor of standing beside us during this episode? In fact, we'd like you to be our Listener of Honor! Take your time, this is a big commitment! On this week's episode, it's another installment on WEDDINGS! Specifically, what is involved with being in the wedding party? Brides maids? Grooms men? Honor? Best? What does it all mean? And who is responsible for paying for what? How did this all start? All this and even more answers to even more questions! Enjoy, and don't forget to share!

Aug 19, 2016

Let the games begin! We have a brand new episode for you and it is a slam dunk/home run/touchdown! Whether it's a weekend softball league or a boardgames on a rainy day, we've all played with someone who just makes the game no fun! Maybe they take it too seriously or they just really hate losing. Whatever the case, they could stand a few lessons in SPORTSMANSHIP! We answer your questions and share a little sports history! Enjoy and don't forget to be a team player and share the episode!

Aug 12, 2016

Listen, this may sound sudden but... we want you to m of in to this episode with us! We should let you know, we have a few ground rules. First, you have to listen and then you have to enjoy. We're talking about ROOMMATE etiquette this week! How do you deal with sharing food? What do you do when dishes don't get done? How do you go about having guests over? What if you want to get a pet?! WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH NOTES?! Also, what's the history of cohabitation? There's a lot to unpack here, please get these boxes out of our shared living space. Enjoy!

Aug 5, 2016

You know, after a hard day of podcasting, I like to relax with an ice cold drink. Maybe a beer? Maybe a whiskey? But then I find myself wondering "Is this good shmanners?" This week's ep is all about ALCOHOL, specifically at parties! What are the rules of BYOB? What's the deal with punch? What if you don't drink? What the deal with BAC? Answers to all these questions and more can be found here! Enjoy, and don't forget to pass it around!

Jul 29, 2016

Hello? Is this Shmanners Listener? Hi! This is Shmanners! We're calling today to offer you a wonderful podcast opportunity! We've got a new episode for you today that I think you'll really enjoy. If you're like most, phone etiquette can be a very confusing arena. What does one say in a voicemail? How do you know if a phone call is acceptable or if you need to talk in person? What about wrong numbers? When should you check your phone? All that plus some history! Enjoy and feel free to call back any time!

Jul 22, 2016

Hello Internet! It's time for a very special episode! It's all questions and they're all your's! When should one cancel an RSVP? What to do when meeting an SO's family? What makes a good Work Thank You? Should you meet your neighbors? How do you discuss raises with your boss? All this, and more! Enjoy!

Jul 15, 2016

Step right up, step right up! There's room enough for all! This week, Shmanners is all about AMUSEMENT PARKS! Roller Coasters? We got'em! Amazing sights? We got'em! History? Origins? Answers to your questions? What to wear? What to do? What to see? How to behave? We have answers to all these and more! Listen, enjoy and don't forget to share!

Jul 8, 2016

Hello there and welcome! Pull up a blanket, an ear of corn and enjoy our new episode! We hope you brought a side dish or a desert to share? We're talking all about PICNICS and POTLUCKS! We know you have a lot of questions! Is home made better than store bought? Do you need to plan around everyone's dietary restrictions? Did people REALLY picnic during the Civil War? Do we ever age out of BYOB? What kind of stuff would one serve at a fancy and/or shmancy picnic? Well, we've got the answers to these questions and more! Enjoy and be sure to share!

Jul 1, 2016

Hello there! Have a seat and pull up a saucer! This week is all about TEA! Tea comes in many forms, but it is also served in so many ways! We'll discuss the differences between Afternoon and High tea, and even the different versions of those different versions! You'll learn a little bit about the origins of "tea time". We discuss what to wear, eat and what type of tea to drink! All this, plus even more answers to your questions! Enjoy and would you be so kind as to share?

Jun 24, 2016

You know, people have been swimming for fun for thousands of years! At least as far back as Ancient Egypt! Even after all that time, we are still trying to figure out how to be polite while at the pool or beach. How close should you sit to someone else's beach blanket? Is it ok to play your radio while soaking in the sun? What constitutes appropriate bathing wear? Those answers and more! Plus, a quick lesson on chlorine and peeing in the pool! Enjoy and don't forget to share with your fellow bathing beauties!

Jun 17, 2016

Hello Internet! Whoa whoa whoa! You can't wave like that! Don't you know what that means in Uruguay? You see, the same hand gesture can mean different things in different cultures. Where did these gestures come from? What are some of their meanings? Has mooning someone ever saved lives? All these answers plus the story of the hardest Travis has ever been flipped off. Thanks to Amy W. for the topic suggestion! Enjoy and don't forget to share with your friends!

Jun 10, 2016

Hello Internet! We are so excited to bring you our first ever live episode all about PREGNANCY! As you know, Teresa is pregnant so we have a lot to talk about! From ancient birthing methods to mid-wives to dad jokes to maternity clothes to Lucille Ball, we have a lot to cover! We'll even tell you the nice way to ask some very rude questions! Enjoy and don't forget to tell a friend!

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