ETIQUETTE & MANNERS: Social rules for the professional Compiled by Dotty Harshberger

1. ETIQUETTE & MANNERS:Social rules for the professionalCompiled by Dotty Harshberger

2. No matter what the situation, social etiquette rules should be followed. When should you be particularly aware of your manners?

3. EVERY SITUATION!

4. Consider some of the benefits of etiquette… • Gives professionals the tools to impress clients and colleagues. • It puts others at ease so that business can be conducted.

5. and… • Helps to establish rapport with others more easily. • Builds confidence and helps create a winning style. • Gives the organization an overall polished, professional image.

6. and Possessing a high level of etiquette knowledge and skills builds confidence and instills the perception of trustworthiness in others.

7. Introductions • When you are speaking with someone you know and someone new approaches, always make an introduction.

8. When making an introduction… • Give a piece of information about the person—it can be a conversation starter. “This is Sue, she just opened a new store in town.”

9. What? • LISTEN to and concentrate on conversations—don’t just wait for your turn to talk!

10. Don’t Jump! • Resist the urge to jump into a conversation when someone pauses in thought. Wait a second or two, then respond.

11. Just a peck will do. • A kiss on the cheek as a greeting is okay at a holiday gathering or a convention when you haven’t seen the person in awhile. • Resist the smooch in a purely business setting.

12. Smile, you’re on Candid Camera! • Be an active listener—smile, nod, make eye contact and agree when appropriate.

13. My Space • Respect a person’s personal space—don’t get too close! If you can smell lunch on their breath—you may be too close! • Give them a breath mint!

14. Build your vocabulary! • Avoid vulgar references and swear words. • Poor language IS NOT professional and offends some.

15. Networking Based on the success of your first impression, the other person will determine whether or not you are worthy enough for them to continue investing themselves in developing a relationship with you and your company.

16. Mind your own business! • Don’t ask personal questions! Like… How much did that cost? Why did they divorce? Did you get a raise?

17. You’ve got to be kidding! • Gossip—keep it to yourself! • Gossip: Everyone wants to hear it until it’s about them!

18. Hold the door. • Whoever (guy or gal) gets to the door first should open it and hold for others who are following.

19. The door is closing… • At an elevator, those in the elevator should get off before anyone else get on.

20. Meeting Seating • Generally the chairperson sits at the end of the table farthest from the entrance.

21. Does anyone know what time it is? • If you are attending the meeting—be on time! • On time means arriving a few minutes BEFORE the meeting begins.

22. Who’s in charge of this meeting? • If you are leading a meeting ARRIVE EARLY! Check the room’s temperature, lighting, and arrangement. • Get yourself organized. • Greet the participants as they arrive.

23. Keep your Word. • Do what you promised you would do! Make that phone call! Write that note! Make the arrangements!

24. H2O • Always thirsty? See a doctor! • Having a bottle of water is alright if water is available to others. • If you’re the only one—put it away!

25. Placing a telephone call… • If you’re making a call, identify yourself first, then ask to speak to the person you’re trying to reach.

26. When you finally reach the person… • Before you jump into a deep conversation, ask if they have time to talk.

27. If you’re on the phone and another call comes in… • Always ask if it’s alright to put them on hold.

28. Sign Language? • Do not interrupt someone on the telephone by gesturing, speaking or writing them notes!

29. What about voicemail? • If you must leave a message, state your name (spell if they don’t know you), phone number, date and reason for the call. • Repeat your phone number at the end—SLOWLY.

30. You’re Ringing • When you are in ANY meeting, turn off your cell phone ringer—accept voicemail and text messaging only!

31. Can you hear me now? • If you MUST take a call in a public place—try to move to a more private space. • Hearing one-sided conversations alienates the person NOT in the conversation!

32. I can’t talk now, but… • If you must talk in a public place (bus, elevator, airplane etc.) keep it short and discreet.

33. Rapid Response • Forget junk mail and forwards, but ALWAYS respond to a real message on your e-mail.

34. watch wat u say • While our Internet culture is full of shorthand, check your e-mail for grammatical, capitalization and spelling errors! In business—no shorthand!

35. Moving? • Close your e-mail address at an old job and have them forwarded to an appropriate person. • Let everyone know your new e-mail address.

36. No eating with your fingers! • During the first course of the meal, use the utensils on the outside. • For example, the salad arrived, use the fork on the far left. Entrée arrives, the next fork.

37. I want to eat my dessert! • When wanting to eat your dessert, use the utensils that were placed above the plate.

38. Put the napkin where? • Open the napkin, refold in half and place in onto your lap with the fold away from you.

39. How did that get on the floor? • If your utensils or napkin fall, DO NOT crawl around on the floor to retrieve—flag down a waiter and ask for another.

40. I can’t eat another thing. • Finally done eating? Place all of your utensils on the plate with the tip of the fork and knife across the plate, pointing at 11 o’clock.

41. Chop sticks or Chop Suey? • Eat your Chop Suey (or any other food) with chop sticks ONLY if you already know how to use them—learning in front of someone can be ugly!

42. What’s in my Mouth? • Great meal when— all of a sudden you realize something in your mouth needs to come out! • Cover your mouth with a napkin and get it out—discreetly!

43. Doing lunch? • Whoever invites a colleague or client to a business lunch pays for it—that includes the tip, coat check and parking if necessary.

44. Where to Lunch • Select a restaurant that is conducive to conducting business. • The restaurant should be centrally located for both, or close to the guests’ office.

45. Mirror, mirror on the wall… • Don’t primp at a restaurant table or in public. • Use the restroom to groom!

46. Party time! • Have fun, but maintain control! DO NOT get drunk hit on a co-worker stay at the buffet

47. Warning: DO NOT PICK • at your teeth. • at your face. • your nose. • on your friends.

48. Never, Never, Never… • Burp • Snort In general: DO NOT make ANY bodily noises that are rude and disgusting!

49. Allergies and colds happen, but… • DO NOT blow your nose at a table. It’s alright to pat your nose with a tissue. Otherwise, excuse yourself and find a place away from others.

50. Finally… • Take time to say “please” and “thank you” more often. • Don’t forget to say “Hello” rather than “Hi”. • Say “you’re welcome” rather than “no problem.”