DIY Life

I've witnessed many dog fights over the years. I've noticed that in a crowd situation such as a dog park, the response of the human observers is pretty predictable. Some stand and stare. Some scream at the dogs to stop... and the dogs ignore them completely. (Well, what did you expect?!) Then there are those -- usually the hapless owners -- who try to haul the dogs apart by the collars.

In fact, the worst thing you can do in a dog fight situation is to grab the dogs by the collars. You risk getting bitten really badly. Here's what you should do to stop a dog fight.

1. Get a volunteer to help you. Be warned: the other owner may not be the best choice. You will know that is the case if he/she stands there looking helpless. I had this happen to me once when a gianormous German Shepherd attacked my dog. It was very frightening. (Luckily I was armed with a baseball bat, so I was able to rescue my boy. Phew.)

Holiday tipping is emphasized more in some areas than others: in the suburbs of Middle America, it can be relatively uncommon, while in some buildings in New York, it's required. Not tipping your doorman can be like slamming the door in his face.

The custom of holiday tipping may have begun because people in certain professions provide services that are worth far more than they're actually paid to perform them, and because people who work hard for lousy wages might need a little holiday financial help from grateful patrons. Either way, neglecting to tip the right people at this time of year can be a social disaster... but who are those people, and what should you give them?

Blueprint magazine has an article on their site (also published in their November/December issue, currently on news-stands): the Holiday Tip Sheet. It has etiquette advice and a printable chart (PDF) to help you figure out who (and how much) you should tip during the upcoming season, and who should receive a gift, either because they can't accept cash, can't accept gifts over a certain monetary value, or really deserve something more personal than money. Ideas for what to do when you're on a tight budget are also included.

With Blueprint's help, you'll have no problem showing the people who help you out how much you appreciate them.

Let's not pull any punches, folks. Setting a table is hard. Once you get beyond all of the etiquette stuff, like which fork goes where, there is style to consider.

Pottery Barn has saved us all, once again, from home decor embarrassment.

Not only can you learn, simply, how to set a formal and casual table at Pottery Barn's mini-tutorial, but they also have lists of special touches to really help make your table something special.

How about individual flower arrangements at every place? Or special music to set the mood of the party or event?

Be sure to click on the "more details" link on the Pottery Barn page to learn more about the integral pieces to a proper table setting. You can also print out this page for a handy reference guide.

Pottery Barn . . . where style and etiquette unite.

Americana: the soul of our nation.

Ever notice how spirited, charming, and just plain cute Main Street, U.S.A., can be? If not, while you're out this month vacationing and visiting those little home towns ... try to get back your patriotic spirit and take notice of all the flags flown (it happens to be what makes those towns so cute in the first place). Once home, if you don't already; you'll want to fly your own.

First though, you'll need to know the rules. Believe it or not, there are actually 13 rules covering everything from schools, caskets and parades, to how to properly hang it with other flags.

Lucky for us; the most important one is also the simplest:

• Display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. However, the flag may be displayed at night if properly illuminated with a spotlight.