Even as this article is being written there is a cell phone ringing in a church or a movie theater. Someone is probably talking with their mouth full, or chewing gum while they take your food order.
In today’s fast paced world it is easy to forget some of the common courtesies that should be basic and non-negotiable. Unfortunately many people appear to have forgotten the manners that were taught to them by their parents and grandparents and sadly, others do not appear to have ever been taught any manners at all.
It is not hard to behave in a socially correct way; however, the masses seem to think that having a bit of decorum is “old fashioned” or “boring. Obviously, this is not true. If people would just take a few moments to review the basic rules of good etiquette they would find that it would help them not only in their personal lives, but in their business relationships as well.
Outlined below are protocols that will help to refine the social graces and improve the impression that others have of you.
Basic Politeness. Showing politeness is not difficult. It is simple to say “please”, “thank you”, “you are welcome”, and “excuse me”. These phrases show that a person is considerate of others. Even if someone is rude, and not your favorite person it is better to be polite to them rather than sinking to their level.
Men, Remove Your Hat Indoors. Most young men of today do not even seem to be aware of the fact that it is considered rude to wear a hat (mostly ball caps these days) indoors. Gentlemen, when you enter a building please remove hats and caps.
Hold That Door. This is a rule that does not just apply to men anymore. Yes, men should still hold the door for ladies and allow them to enter or exit first, but ladies are not exempt from holding the door for their elders or someone who might have their hands full. And while it might seem an outdated notion, nothing says “gentleman” like going around to the passenger side to open the car door for a lady.
Be On Time. There is nothing worse than to be kept waiting and if you are the offending party who is late, it is just rude. If you tend to always run late set your clocks ahead 10 or 15 minutes so that you will arrive on time.
Do Not Groom Yourself In Public. If you have something that needs picking, scratching, combing, or any other form of grooming, please do not do it in mixed company. Take your personal needs to the restroom or wait until you get home. Ladies, it is okay to quickly and discretely apply a little lipstick without using a mirror. It is not, however, okay to pull out a compact, and a suitcase full of cosmetics and start redoing your face. Also, please refrain from clipping and filing your nails in public. This is unbelievably crude.
Keep Gum Chewing To A Minimum. If you must chew gum for a legitimate reason such as having bad breath or dry mouth, try to do it in your car between stops. If it is absolutely necessary to chew gum in a public place, please do not smack it, chomp it, o blow bubbles with it.
Turn The Ringer Off. When entering any public establishment the first thing you should do is set your cell phone to vibrate. Remember you do not have to answer every call, that is what voice mail is for. If you know that it is a call of importance, excuse yourself and move to the lobby or another room to take the call. Keep the call time short and let your caller know that you will return their call at your earliest convenience.
Keep The Conversation Polite. When engaging in conversation, whether it is at work, or in a more social setting, never bring up money, religion, or politics. These subjects are a powder keg waiting to explode, and while we are on the subject of exploding, please refrain from speaking loudly, yelling, or using profanity.
Simply put, good manners are a sign that you have consideration for others and extending these common courtesies shows that you have class and good breeding.
