Wednesday 28 May 2014

An Introduction To Basic Manners And Etiquette

By Marci Glover


The term etiquette can sound quaint and old fashioned. However in the modern world manners are more important than ever. With more forms of technology there are more potential ways you could offend people. Therefore it is vital to be aware of basic manners and etiquette.

One of the simplest methods of being polite is to say please and thank you. This is something people appreciate. It is important that people aware you feel grateful for what you want from them. Equally if you give something to people it should be done in a way that makes them feel you are thinking about them. This can also extend to arriving at the time you say you will be there, replying promptly and politely to emails and so forth.

Punctuality is also an important issue. In the modern era it has become a lot easier to plan journeys. A quick check using your computer or smart phone will allow you to find out about any potential delays, when the buses and trains arrive and so forth. This will make it easier to plan ahead, preferably planning so you can arrive early in case of any delays.

One recent change in etiquette is the issue of holding the door open for people. There was a time when it was men who were supposed to do this for women. Some women can find this patronising. A better alternative is to hold the door for anyone who needs it, especially if they are infirm or are carrying a lot of items.

With the rise of the internet there is also the issue of internet etiquette. The additional anonymity and the ability to quickly post messages can often lead to insensitivity and conversations that could be misinterpreted. A good rule is that anything you would not say to someone face to face should not be posted online.

In recent years some issues around etiquette have changed. For example it was often expected that men hold doors open for women. However some women can find this patronising. In order to avoid this there is a simple solution. All you need to do is hold doors open for everyone!

Another complication is that some actions that were previously considered polite can be considered patronising now. A good example is opening doors. Some women can find patronising if you open doors just for them. A better approach is to open doors for everyone as this is just general politeness.

The simplest bit of advice when it comes to politeness is to consider how you would expect to be treated. This should apply to everyone you talk to regardless of whether they are a friend, someone serving you pancakes or the customer service agent who has to deal with a complaint. Generally if you are polite and willing to engage with people they are more likely to do the same with you!




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