Social Climes : Now, <i> That</i> Was an Entrance

Social Climes had its quintessential Hollywood Moment when Eddie Murphy arrived at the Palace for the recent “Boomerang” premiere party. The star swooped by with a modest security contingent of two very large gentleman, who proceeded to seal off one room of the club for Eddie and company.

Although the star arrival was certainly tres Hollywood, that wasn’t the moment that stood out. As Murphy went by, we were speaking to a producer who took all this in without so much as a glance.

But when Disney Exec Jeffrey Katzenberg arrived, the producer closed the conversation by saying, “You know, I think I’ll go be his bodyguard,” and tailed Katzenberg into the crowd.

What did we glean from this? Power in Hollywood isn’t about security, but about being able to attract the insecure.

Tip-Offs

We at Social Climes live by the motto, “When in doubt, over-tip,” which helps when we’re fumbling for dollar bills, wondering how much to dole out and to whom.

Sacramento-based business etiquette consultants Shirley Willey and Patricia Meyer have come to the rescue of dweebs like us with the “Pocket Tipper,” a handy, pocket-size guide that can be quickly consulted on tipping matters.

For instance, a skycap gets $1 per bag, $2 for heavy or oversized bags; a manicurist gets 10% to 15%; a maitre d’ gets $5 to $10 discreetly (italics theirs), and a valet parker gets $1 minimum. The guide also includes a 15% and 20% tipping index for amounts from $5 to $100.

We think the world is also in need of a more detailed reference guide for the etiquette-impaired in the ‘90s.

With a quick check, you’d know how to handle an irate driver flipping you off, who’s supposed to pick up the check on a date and who’s supposed to buy the condoms, and what to tell a dinner guest who makes calls from his cellular phone during the meal.

To order the tip guide, send a check for $2 to Etiquette & Co., P.O. Box 652, Carmichael, Calif. 95609.