Modern Etiquette

Getting It Right Today! Modern Etiquette is about minding your manners in the workplace. Surprisingly many of the points dealt with would have been in our Mother’s golden rules to polite behavior.
​
What gives people pause for thought? Well, there are the so many little points of social manners. It is interesting to break down the topics. Dress codes are a hot issue or rather a lack of them among the Gen Y and the employers. It is partly about how casual is casual? When men and women are invited to an occasion, and the stipulation ‘dress informal’ often results in women reading this as a chance to rush into their best whilst the mean have no such interpretation of the liberal code and feel free to come as they are.

Despite the appearance of outward neutrality, the workplace is turning out to be a hive of doubts about what is cause of offence in conduct between the sexes. Does a woman like a man to open the door for her on official ground? Then, there is the delicate matter of gestures and remarks between members of the opposite sex calls for clarification.

Machines can’t yet tick people off for being discourteous but no doubt telecommunications will be the first branch of technology to do so. The means has created many new ifs and buts in the minds of users in circumstances in which politeness counts.
​
'Modern Etiquette’ and You
Say, you have noticed a man at a drinks party whom you do not know but whom you would like to meet in person. Somehow you feel it is not right to buttonholing him.
Which option would be your choice?

1. Inveigle a guest into bringing about a threesome
2. Invent an excuse for introducing yourself
3. Ask the party host/hostess to introduce him to you

An effective host will convey that the introduction was all his/her idea.
 
Or, when you take out a client to lunch should you aim to book a table nearer to his/her office than to your own, choose somewhere in-between or choose a place for your own convenience? 
Which of the following option is appropriate?

1. Go for the half-way house compromise
2. Choose the restaurant that gives you the best service
3. Opt for the restaurant closer to his his/her office than yours

Stress the excellence of the restaurant chosen if this is nearer to your office than to the client’s.
​
Bring Your Manners to Work
Manners matter in up-keeping good relationships. From talking loudly on one's cell phone and texting during meetings, to dressing inappropriately, and to showing up late, are bad manners and they are bad for businesses.
Because it's statistically important to Bring Your Manners to Work every day – here is a list of positive doings in manners:

• Mind your volume while speaking on a hand-phone. People tend to speak three times louder on a hand-phone than in person.
• A ‘courteous hand-phone distance’ is at least 3 meters. No one wants to hear about your personal life or whatever in a lift, or in the restroom.
• Dress appropriately for work. Save the see-through, plunging neckline, bum-line dress, Lycra bicycle short for other occasions.
• Keep hand-phones off or on vibrate during meals and meetings. Pay attention to the conversation and engage those around you.
• Be on time for meetings, appointments and conference calls.
• Clean up your mess – be at the pantry or at the copier.
• Avoid gossip, and over-sharing about your personal life.
• Keep your poise and do the right thing, even if you are doing it alone. Just because coworkers behave badly – it is not a reason for you to follow suit.
• Keep your fingers together when you point. If you point with your index finger, it appears aggressive. Both men and women point, but women have a tendency to do it more than men. 

 
Using good manners is essential to a healthy workplace.  When you or others cross the courtesy line, it's time to revisit the basics of manners and consideration within your organization. When your company has a foundation of good manners, it will encourage your co-workers to act appropriately – and it will encourage them to accept nothing less from those around them.
‘Be the First to Set the Example’