Social Cue Review

Just in time for your holiday parties and travels.

I don't normally like to  make a fuss out in public, but I have been know to cause a scene every know and then because it's fun to annoy my young 'uns (and old ones). I figure I owe them a lot of annoyance as  pay back. The truth is it can be a drag hanging it with someone who is right 92% of the time. On occasion I take pity on them and give them something to chastise me about.

When we are together as a family I'm always on the look out for fun and good blogging fuel. If you can't find some then you make some. So far I must not have pushed them to the edge because they all are usually anxious for my company. Even the time I made my elegant and professional daughter lick an Audi RS4 parked on the streets of Chicago and all the other licking I have made them do for a story, didn't banish me from their good graces.

Mayor tossing ham back at The Publican.

Central sink for the unique potty at The Publican

What, your mother doesn't make you help her rate bathrooms when you're out and about? Then exploit the photo ops. Not every idea I have is a good one, but being a visionary means that sometimes bad ideas have to be explored too.

Luckily everyone has a good sense of humor, but it is the responsibility of an astute person to judge when your actions are getting out of hand (happens to the best of us). These are the types of cues I eventually pick up on when I've pushed a little too far with my shenanigans and requests,as demonstrated by my son:

I don't think so

No! Absolutely not

You think you're funny? I think you're crazy

Did you see how those social cues escalate in the level of rejection? Sure you do. So why is it when I go out on the town with my homies that men in particular don't have the capacity to pick up on that whole cue thing? What is it about the sight of a petite blond woman that emboldens them to behave in an overly familiar way? Why would anyone think that because I am short it's OK to pick me up, carry me around, or try to dress me up like a circus poodle. Again, the Prince and my foster boy help me demonstrate a cue that says:

It's ok for my loved ones to play with me

Let me make myself crystal clear for those of you who aren't very astute. In general it's not appropriate to put your hands on people you don't know. Remember pre-school, keep your hands to yourself. It's one thing to socialize and meet new people. I'm all for that. Man handling females you don't know is inappropriate.

Quiz: can you find the negative cues?

Does it look like I'm enjoying this attention? Let's see: muscles tensed, facial grimacing, ready to turn around and give this guy the major stink eye. And NO do not put your stinking coon skin cap on my head either. I try not to get to upset and cause my male family member to want to spring to my defense because that can lead to unnecessary trouble. I think I'll stick with my time tested method of ignore, diffuse, distract and if all else fails leave. And so we did as soon as I heard my son loudly say, "Hey, that's my mother" to some obnoxious patrons he was familiar with. I took that as our cue to go.

Straight to Fulton Lounge , our favorite hang out in the meat packing district. Justin monitors the door for loonies in coon skin caps:

The men in charge there are gentlemen which makes it a very nice environment for spending time with the people you enjoy without getting molested. Gabby controls the scene like a pro:

Gabby's the bomb

Now that you've had your cue review, get out there and enjoy the season.