Things/Behaviour NOT to Do In Public- Two

Napkins and Serviettes

• What is the use of a napkin or serviette?
• Surprisingly, many of you do not know that this small table linen (or paper made) should always be placed to the right of the place setting. When food has been placed at the table and before starting to eat, males and females are to place the serviette on their lap
• Always use a napkin or serviette, not your arm or clothing sleeve! As you use your napkin, do not keep replacing it to the top of your dining table. Do you realize how unsanitary and terribly unaesthetic said napkin looks after several food/mouth swipes? Place the napkin on your lap and return it after each wipe. Do not use the napkin to wipe or swipe as if you are drying with a bath towel or washing a baby's bottom, rather use discrete dabs to both corners of your mouth.
• A napkin is also meant to protect your clothing from those embarrassing drips and stains that map your trips and contents at the trough
  
• Napkins are definitely NOT used for blowing your nose or cleaning ears at the table or wiping perspiration from your forehead or neck! Do these in the washroom.
• After everyone in your company has finished dining, then you may gently place the napkin on top of your plate.
• If you accidentally drop your napkin, have the server replace it with a clean one.
• If you are walking by a table and you want to catch the attention of someone, purposely yet discretely drop your napkin beside their table and have them pick it up for you while maintaining eye contact and thanking them.
  

Things/Behaviour NOT to Do In Public- One

Applying Make-up In Public

• Do not apply mascara/make up/lipstick or brush your hair in public, especially while seated at a restaurant table or seated at the theatre or on public transportation. This behaviour is improper and rude and unsanitary.
  
• Excuse yourself from the dining table and apply lipstick or mascara or brush hair in a washroom or powder room.
• I once had a municipal government level manager invite me to lunch on the last day of my work contract. I had not quite finished eating the unflavorable food, when she whips out her compact and twists her lipstick out until a brightly coloured phallic rod is exposed and pressed to her eager lips. It is while she is looking in her mirror and fellatio impaling her coloured stick (and without even looking at me) that she mumbles an insincere 'thank you for your work'.
  

High Heeled Shoes and Foot Etiquette

High-Heeled Shoes

• Because approximately 85% of women do not know how to properly walk in a heel, there is a high probability this directly concerns you!
• Because higher heeled shoes cause structural/skeletal, as well as comical callous, why wear them?
• NEWS: A woman toe-tripping/tipping and bow legging, slouched over in ill-fitting shoes is NOT sexy or attractive...AND it takes you longer to get to your destination, Ms. I-Think-I-Am-In-More-Control-And-I-Think-I-Have-More-Power-Than-I-Actually-Have PowerSuitically impaired cow!
  
• If you look (AND YOU DO!) so awkwardly uncomfortable and hideously, insidiously comic, WHY do you insist on wearing them?
• You are slouched and bowed over as if you are scanning for that lost penny on the side walk. You often have legs that are set too far apart, not in proportion to your hips or feet or dangle at odd angles. Picture following behind a bovine in shoes.
• You often are rolling and so dangerously pronating that I want to run up behind you and scoop you into a wheelchair...because that is where you could end up from the damage you are doing to your body and the damage to social/fashion aestheticism. You must wear out your shoes quickly with the wear and 'tears'.
  

(Pronation is a turning outward of the foot at the ankle, so that one has a tendency to walk on the inner border of the foot. When a foot and ankle pronates to a great degree, it is referred to as over-pronation.)

• Click clack to the nearest shoe store that has knowledgeable staff (good luck who can properly size/measure and fit your shoe. Also, they must sell only well-made footware preferably with good support and breathable material (yes, made from leather).
• Sandals look great with dresses and skirts and are cooler in the summer although they are equally hard on your body. I see many people walking with their heels actually slipping away from the sandal and touching the ground. Try getting at least a sandal that straps in the ankle to help hold the heel in place.... at least a little.
• NEWS: If the skin on your feet/heels is so cracked and damaged and fungalized that it looks like you soaked in acid, cover those things up! It makes me nearly nauseous. If you have foot odor and your feet are not confined in a covered shoe (if you want to wear sandals), tend to your problem. No one wants to smell your odoriferous feet! Foot odor can be easily controlled by simple washing, powdering and seeking medical advice about any fungus or bacteria that could be lurking and causing that stink. Inexpensive care and creams are available. Take care of your feet by washing them, cutting nails properly, massaging and applying moisturizer. They are the least expensive, under utilized form of 'green travel' and exercise.

Victoria Express

Victoria Express

• Location: ferry terminal at 254 Belleville Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Contact: 250-361-9144; info@victoriaexpress.com
• Website: http://www.victoriaexpress.com/welcome.html
• Privately owned passenger ferry serving Port Angeles and Victoria; with seasonal service to Friday Harbour
  
• This ferry is best described as the 'little white and red ferry'; perhaps the CoHo's tadpole...little but mighty...the little engine that does
  
• This company offers various trip packages including the yearly Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington and The Twilight Cruise to visit the area (Forks, Washington) where the Twilight movie was made

This little ferry cruises along, quickly arriving in Port Angeles in just under an hour. You can be seated in the cozy cabin and have a snack and beverage (including alcohol) at one of the tables or have a gale ol'time up on the outside deck ducking ocean sprays. The trip across can be somewhat rough at times, so be prepared.

This company can boast having one of the most professional, helpful and courteous staff/crew. They produce an economical and very organized trip package. I trust this company to get me to my destination safely. I recommend the Lavender Festival package!

Nezza Naturals

Nezza Naturals

• Location: 101, # 3 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia
• Proprietor: Sasha Prior
• Contact: 250-388-9171
• Email: info@nezzanaturals.com
• Webpage: www.nezzanaturals.com
• British Columbia/local made natural health, cleaning, animal products

Below street level entry makes this gem a potential miss, especially if you are in a vehicle. The nicely, wood-designed shop is filled with all things odoriferously pleasant and healthy. There is a preventative or remedy salve, cream, oil or soap for all human and canine/feline needs yet it is presented in more spa rather than 'vitamin/health/clinical supply' way.

I definitely have my favorite soaps, shampoo, carrot facial cream and pure essential oils but I often end up picking up yet one more new item each visit.

I appreciate when Sasha is attending the shop because of her range of knowledge as an aromatherapist. Other staff are very pleasant and helpful. The shop has a very non-rushed, positive vibe.

Dots Clothing Store

Dots Clothing Store

• Location: 724 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Contact: 250-383-2683; dotstore@telusplnet.net
• Featuring designer labels, samples (generally size 8) and small quantity of men's shirts at reduced prices

When I am not in a rush and when the store is not too warm and smelly (please people, stop douching yourself with 'perfumes' and other fumigating body products. Many others are highly sensitive or allergic to them.) this is my treasure trove of all things unique and inexpensive. Home of the tacky, Dots is the place to find the unusual.

The racks are so full it becomes an upper arm exercise just to move the clothes. When browsing through racks of clothes, be aware of other shoppers before you aggressively push a pound of clothes into their area of the rack. Also, gently shift through all clothes by using your hand to guide the top of the hanger along, thereby keeping hands (food stained, sweaty & greasy) away from the material....especially whites! Most people damage clothing by their disrespectful handling...I think too many people are accustomed to shopping from second-hand store bins like bottom of the food chain scavengers. If you pick up a top or sweater, do not carelessly drop or toss that article of clothing back on the table. DO try to fold it and return it neatly!

Courtesy is a must when passing others in the narrow aisles. When someone needs to pass by you with an 'excuse me', please have the decency to draw your behind in as much as you can to let that shopper pass. I think people often misjudge just how big their behinds are because they don't seem to want to draw them in enough to allow easy passage. Also, when shopping ( or traveling) in close quarters, remove backpacks and big purses from your shoulders. When you turn, you are often hitting someone with your bags.

When trying on clothes, DO remove them from your fitting room. No one else wants to deal with your mess.

The clerks at Dots are often chatty and gossipy (amongst themselves) but pleasant to customers. Their demeanor is in keeping with most outlet or discount low-end stores. Most take the time to neatly fold your purchase before placing it in the bag and offer a thank you, which is a fading customer service, unfortunately.

Pink Sugar Cupcakery

Pink Sugar Cupcakery

• Location:773 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Contact: 250-590-8055
  
• Email: info@pinksugarcupcakery.com
• Webpage: pinksugarcupcakery.com
  
• Proprietor: Adrienne Jopp

My new addiction! A delightful, generous dollop of delicious icing tops a wide variety of cleverly named cakes waiting for you to secretly cup into your hands as you race out the cartoon-like shop towards the closest alley in order to quickly honour your taste buds with this latest fix. Pink is where it's at! 'The Elvis' is next on my list.....

I adore this new establishment! It is so much tastier than the cupcake shop that was located in English Bay, Vancouver. The recipe tastes more old-fashioned and denser than the cheap-o fluff-o stuff that other cupcake makers have used....it doesn't taste like it came from a box.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	8
	Presentation	8
	Décor	9
	Delivery	6
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	8
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	7.43

Pig BBQ Joint

Pig BBQ Joint

• Location: 749 E View Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Contact: 250-381-4677
• Tiny, limited stools-facing-the-wall pigesque pen
• Approximately 10 items on the chalkboard menu and nothing over $5.00
• Featuring: pulled pork, beef brisket or smoked chicken bunwiches and choice of coleslaw, cornbread, bbq beans or pickle on a stick for sides ($1-$1.50)

I have tried all the bunwiches and savored every juicy bite. A great place to grab and go...for a picnic with a generous supply of 'wet ones'. Because the city lacks green/park space (especially space not occupied and taken over by addicts/mentally ill/homeless), I find sitting on the steps of a nearby church sufficient when I am too excited and hungry to walk further.

The big draw for me is the simple name and logo...I like pigs alive and dead for eating. The portions are manageable and the price reflects the portions...most of all, it tastes great!

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	8
	Presentation	4
	Décor	4
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	8
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	6
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	6.17

Wild Fire Bread & Pastry

Wild Fire Bread & Pastry

• Location: 1517 Quadra Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Contact: 250-381-3473
• wildfirebreads@shaw.ca
• Specializing in organic cake and pastry
• An autumn-in-the-country essence permeates the air when their oven is stoked with firewood. It creates a warm, cozy grandma-is-baking-bread feeling that stays with me as I walk down the street.

As I stand in line, their entire line of breads compete for my attention yet I can only choose one...a difficult decision. I won't freeze bread, not since the days my Mother purchased cheap, white bread (4-6 loafs per bag) and shoved them in our deep freeze/stasis...the gastronomical burial.

It is easier to choose one of their in-season fruit tarts, lavender short bread cookies or creatively, healthy personal-sized pizzas. Their charming cakes are calling me, yet I haven't yet indulged.

There is limited seating, so if there is room, I like to sit at one of the wood tables, plant feet on the wood floor and brace for incoming delectable sensations.

You can't miss the brilliant, artistic exterior murals...always a provocative socio-political ground level message.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	n/a
	Décor	6
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	6
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	6.4

Hernandez Restaurant

Hernandez Restaurant

• Location: 750 Yates Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Owners: Jerson & Tamara Hernandez
• Contact: http://hernandezrestaurant.com

• Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday, 11:30 AM to 5:00PM
• Featuring both 'Express" and "Slow Food" menus
• Express food items range in price from $3 to $8 dollars
• Handmade corn tortillas
  

• "A note about our service: We request that you come to the front to order and pay for your meal. Then, we will give you a "loteriacard with an image on it. You look at the image and memorize the Spanish word associated with it. When your food is ready, we bring it out, while calling out the image...that's how we find you!"

I highly recommend Hernandez for taste, quality, quantity, efficient service and price. The '5 chicken tacos for $5.00' is addictively divine. The pork burrito is a pleaser & pleasure, too. Finally, a place offering smaller food portions with smaller prices. To ensure seating in this mall-like venue, avoid the lunch rush hour.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	8.5
	Presentation	6
	Décor	5
	Delivery	6
	Cost	8
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	6.79

Zazu

Zazu

• Location: 1028 Blanshard Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Operator: Matthew Crisp
• Contact: 250-412-5311
• On line ordering: zazucoffee.ca
• Featuring 'Kicking Horse Coffee', salads, sandwiches & soups

One of my favorite luncheon spots for a quick, BLT sandwich and great tasting coffee. Pleasant counter service and prepared dishes are served to your choice of inside or outside tables. Salads and sandwiches have fresh ingredients. Order on line and receive a small percentage off your tab.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	6.5
	Presentation	6
	Décor	4
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	5
	General Cleanliness	5
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	5.64

Side Dish Restaurant

Side Dish Restaurant

• Location: 1008 Langley Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• Owner: Ben Arani
• Telephone: 250-477-9995
• Specializing in Persian food
• A small, easy to miss, brightly interior painted, comfortable eatery

Very pleasant staff and informal atmosphere featuring a delectable Middle Eastern menu. The lamb and chicken kabobs were flavorful and memorable and the balsamic rice was perfect! The brightly painted walls were uplifting and added to the cottage-like setting. Prices are reasonable.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	5
	Décor	6.5
	Delivery	6
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	6.31

Heron Rock Bistro

Heron Rock Bistro

• Location: 435 Simcoe Street, James Bay Village, Victoria, British Columbia
• Owner/operators: Andrew Moffatt and Ben Peterson
• Telephone: 250-383-1545
• An art-clad, locally owned & operated, jazzed infused dining establishment

The menu has undergone some changes during the first years of operation, remaining fresh with the seasons. Creative offerings continue to grow. My favorite lunch item has left the menu but interesting and tasty soup choices remain my favorite appetizer. Many menu items are organic and locally grown or raised. Also featuring a nice collection of local wines.

The owners are personable and appreciate your patronage. Servers and other staff have been a mix of the knowledgeable and trained to the less than ideal. Staff etiquette, presentation and delivery can take 'fine dining' either up or down a notch. Perhaps because it is a relatively newer business, I can only describe its atmosphere as chameleon. I intend to re-acquaint myself with their updated menu and write more about their food offerings.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	6
	Décor	6
	Delivery	5
	Cost	5
	Location	6
	Washroom Cleanliness	5
	General Cleanliness	6
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	5.77

The Blue Carrot Cafe

The Blue Carrot Cafe

• Location: 18 B Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia
• Telephone: 250-381-8722
• E-mail: marisaoakes@shaw.ca
• Proprietor: Marisa Oakes
• Counter service featuring homemade soups, sandwiches, wraps, cakes & cookies... 'made from scratch'

In the cutest hide-away in town, I frequent this cozy, upbeat establishment for my clubhouse fix. Thick chunks of REAL chicken on multi-grain bread is a delicious filler so if I am to indulge in their old-fashioned, home made cakes, muffins and cookies, I forfeit the entree and go straight for the desserts. Prices are fair for the quality of fresh ingredients and the pleasant experience of lunching in historic Bastion Square. Eat inside and enjoy the gallery of art or have your lunch served outside, seated under their umbrella-dorned bistro tables.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	6
	Décor	7
	Delivery	5
	Cost	7
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	7
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	n/a
	Average Score	6.63

Souped Up

Souped Up

• Location 736 View Street, Victoria, British Columbia
• 250-380-0856
• Soups on the go: Advertises fresh made soup, sandwiches, snacks with a weekly soup menu
• Counter servers; bus your trays
• Limited seating in mall-like walk thru, especially during lunch times
• Average costs
  

I often have my lunch at Souped Up. The sandwiches (chicken with cranberry, ham & cheese & veggie) and soups are very satisfying. My favorite 'soups' were the homey chicken stew and the thick chili. I like their coffee, too. Counter staff are always pleasant and efficient.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7
	Presentation	4
	Décor	2
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	n/a
	General Cleanliness	7
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	5.57

Cabin 12

Cabin 12

• Located 607 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia
• Email: cabin12gm@live.com
• Informal, retro-fitted decor with an interesting collection of art (for purchase)

Menu offers creatively named ordinary favorites at average local prices. I have visited Cabin 12 on several occasions and sampled their full-bodied soup, garden salad, clubhouse sandwich and BLT. All were timely delivered and well enjoyed.

Staff were very friendly and attentive which added to the overall relaxed atmosphere.

I continue to look for an eating establishment that will offer smaller portions. I want a food choice that will stand alone, without the side-fillers and distractions such as salads and fries 'included'. The price should reflect the lack of extra, unwanted and wasted food.

When I see a large, heaping plate or platter headed my way, I do not get excited over the amount of food making its way to the trough, I just get overwhelmed and frustrated. Reduce prices and offer the fillers as choices/side orders. I do not want my BLT on three layers of toast, for example. Maybe this is why servers incessantly ask, "Are ya still workin' at it?"....it is like work trying not to waste food. Dining should be a pleasant and leisure activity, not WORK.

NOTE: This criticism does not only apply to Cabin 12 but nearly every dining establishment I have visited.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	6
	Presentation	5
	Décor	7
	Delivery	6
	Cost	6
	Location	7
	Washroom Cleanliness	5
	General Cleanliness	6
	Server Etiquette	6
	Average Score	6

Restaurant Rating Scale

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste
	Presentation
	Décor
	Delivery
	Cost
	Location
	Washroom Cleanliness
	General Cleanliness
	Server Etiquette
	Average Score

Georgie's Cafe & Emporium

Georgie's Cafe & Emporium

• Formally 'The Bagel Queen' and 'Mount Royal Bagels'
• Location: 4649 West Saanich Road, Victoria, British Columbia
• Phone: 250-479-6747

July 13, 2009

I was surprised to find the adjacent European deli and produce market no longer in business.

The former Bagel Queen had opened up the space and extended their seating capacity, leaving one section for gift ware. Some items were locally crafted and expensive. At the end of the building, a nursery/ garden business had opened.

Bagels are no longer made on the premises but are still a central feature on the cafe styled menu.
They offer: bagels, soups, sandwiches & sweets according to their business card. Order from the counter and pick up from counter but prepared food is sometimes brought to your table.

Some of the dining chairs had loose legs and were placed on the slope of the floor. Flies were a nuisance, especially when one landed in our bowl of salad. After the dressing weighted its wings down, we were able to remove it... dead.

I had the sausage soup and bagel with garlic cream cheese. Delicious. On another visit, I sampled the chicken pasta salad and white, lemon cake. Delicious.

The young, counter staff is pleasant but rather reserved and not particularly talkative or friendly. At least they didn't constantly bother us or ask us if we were 'still working on' our food. The staff member in the gift section was more friendly.

The washroom facilities were reasonably clean. The establishment would benefit from a funky new plant job and a new, even floor...and a Venus fly trap.

Prices were competitive...not overly expensive but not cheap either. Two of us enjoyed lunch, including beverages for approximately $20.00.

Restaurant Rating Scale		(Rating out of ten)
	Taste	7.5
	Presentation	5
	Décor	4
	Delivery	n/a
	Cost	6.5
	Location	5
	Washroom Cleanliness	6
	General Cleanliness	3.5
	Server Etiquette	5
	Average Score	4.69

I Cringe When The Following Are Observed:

I Cringe When The Following Are Observed:

• Sun visor styled hats.
• Leather patchwork purses or jackets.
• Fanny packs.
• Slacks fitting too snuggly and/or pulled up too high on the waste.
• Manual or digital emptying of the contents of one's nostrils. Cyclists do this.
• The smell of cigerettes and smoke, especially when a portion is saved (behind the ear) and brought in doors or on a bus.
• Body odour; scratching or loosening or pickings of the skin/scalp/nails or other body debris while in public places to land on seats or areas where others have to sit or stand.
• Mirco-managers; bullying in the workplace.
• Spitting in public; on the sidewalks.
• Incessant, over-use of the word, LIKE...like...like...it's like...like...it's like.....
• Drivers who make turns on a pedestrian's walk light while there are pedestrians waiting or in the process of walking on the cross walk and drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians on a cross walk.
• Walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders who do not keep to their right on a sidewalk, especially when there are two or more abreast and they fail to merge into a single line when there is an approaching walker.
  
• Application of make up, hair brushing or blowing one's nose in public and especially while dining. That is what the washrooms are for.
• More to come.