Whether eating a business meal with coworkers or Skyping with remote clients, appropriate etiquette will help you present a cohesive company image and promote respectful communication among team members. Learn the basics of etiquette with this course by etiquette expert LLUXXALL.
Life skills like knowing how to properly RSVP to an event or meeting and understanding dining etiquette are not always taught in formal education.
Basic Etiquette Rules
Few words generate less excitement in a man’s mind than “etiquette.” But it matters, even if you don’t know all of the rules. A man who dresses like a gentleman but behaves like a boor will not fool anyone for very long.
The most basic etiquette rules are about showing thoughtfulness to others, whether it’s not interrupting someone when they speak or letting people ahead of you in line at the grocery store. It’s also about avoiding vulgarity and using polite language, and following the golden rule of doing unto others as you would want them to do to you.
Manners and etiquette go hand in hand, but they’re not the same. Etiquette deals with outer form; manners are about inner character. For example, a courteous person knows to stand when being introduced and introduces their friends at gatherings so that no one is left alone. They also know not to eat food with their hands and to season their meal only after they’ve had a chance to taste it first.
Basic Etiquette Tips
Whether it’s a simple greeting, or not using your cellphone while in a restaurant, good manners and etiquette are important. They communicate to those around you what kind of person you are.
Good etiquette includes age-old sentiments like the Golden Rule, showing respect for others and putting them before yourself. It also includes skills like active listening, looking people in the eye and not interrupting. It also means avoiding negative comments, such as gossip, which can derail conversations.
Practicing good manners can have a positive impact on your life, especially at work. For example, it’s appropriate to greet colleagues with a smile and a “good morning” when they walk into the office or on their way to class. It’s also courteous to hold doors open for people and to thank someone if they do the same for you.
Other important business etiquette includes speaking in a normal voice, being punctual and not taking up multiple parking spaces at the same time.
Advanced Etiquette Rules
There are many social situations that have specific etiquette rules, like adult etiquette classes, spa etiquette, wedding etiquette and sending food back at a restaurant. However, the most important etiquette rule is to be nice to everyone, including those who may not follow the same social norms as you.
Having good social etiquette helps you get along with other people, which makes the world a happier place. Specific etiquette skills include standing up when you greet people, giving eye contact when shaking hands and introducing friends to one another at gatherings.
In a society where rudeness reigns, learning the proper way to behave can make all the difference. Forget the thick manuals that teach you which spoon to use for soup and focus on incorporating these etiquette essentials into your everyday life, such as offering your seat on the bus or train to someone who needs it more than you do (manspreading) or saying “please” and “thank you.” It may take a bit more work, but being polite will always pay off.
Advanced Etiquette Tips
Whether it’s knowing how to use two dozen pieces of silverware at a formal event or learning basic dining etiquette when eating at someone else’s house, there are plenty of nuances to proper etiquette. But the basics all boil down to people-centered behavior, explains etiquette coach Maryanne Parker.
It’s never a good idea to invade the personal space of others, and polite behavior often involves being respectful of the needs of those around you. A gentleman doesn’t need to cut in line or take the larger portion, but he should offer his seat to those on crutches or with strollers on the bus, for example.
Another important aspect of etiquette is listening well, which requires respect for those with whom you communicate. For instance, refraining from gossip and using diminutive language in emails is a surefire way to make others feel like you value them and their input. This can make all the difference in building strong relationships and career success.
Leave a Reply