On the Art of the Proper Greeting, a Refresher for the Season

Columbus — As gatherings pick up with the warmer weather, our manners desk offers a gentle refresher on the proper greeting, an art some young dogs are still, charitably, mastering.

The consensus among distinguished elders: a wagging tail communicates everything a leap never could, and the four-on-the-floor approach has never once gone out of style. “Restraint,” noted one grey-muzzled authority, “is simply enthusiasm that has learned some patience.”

The desk stresses there is no shame in being a work in progress. Every great greeter was once a puppy who jumped — the trick is simply learning to wag instead.