ETIQUETTE &

MANNERS:
Social rules for the
professional
Compiled by Dotty Harshberger

m
 No matter what the
situation, social etiquette
rules should be followed.

When should you be

particularly aware of
your manners?

 6 6




 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.
˜
 and«
‡ Helps to establish
rapport with
others more
easily.

‡Gives the ‡ Builds confidence

organization an and helps create
overall polished, a winning style.
professional
image. h
 and
Possessing a high level of etiquette
knowledge and skills builds
confidence and instills the
perception of trustworthiness
in others.

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

V
When making an
introduction«
‡ Give a piece of
information about
the person²it can
be a conversation
starter.

³This is Sue, she

just opened a
new store in
town.´ ±
 What?
‡ LISTEN to and
concentrate on
conversations²
don¶t just wait for
your turn to talk!

È
Don¶t Jump!
‡ Resist the urge to
jump into a
conversation
when someone
pauses in
thought. Wait a
second or two,
then respond.

m
 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.
mm
Smile, you¶re on Candid
Camera!

‡ Be an active
listener²smile,
nod, make eye
contact and agree
when appropriate.

m
My Space
‡ Respect a person¶s
personal space²
don¶t get too close!
If you can smell
lunch on their
breath²you may be
too close!

‡ Give them a breath

mint!
m
 Build your vocabulary!
‡ Avoid vulgar
references and
swear words.

‡ Poor language IS
NOT professional
and offends
some.

m˜
 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.

mh
Mind your own business!
‡ Don¶t ask personal
questions!

Like«

How much did that cost?

Why did they divorce?
Did you get a raise?
mv
 ðou¶ve got to be kidding!
‡ Gossip²keep it to
yourself!

‡ Gossip: Everyone
wants to hear it
until it¶s about
them!

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

m±
 The door is closing«

‡ At an elevator,
those in the
elevator should
get off before
anyone else get
on.

mÈ
Meeting Seating

‡ Generally the
chairperson sits
at the end of the
table farthest
from the
entrance.


 Does anyone know what
time it is?
‡ If you are attending
the meeting²be on
time!

‡ On time means
arriving a few
minutes BEFORE the
meeting begins.
m
Who¶s in charge of this
meeting?
‡ If you are leading a
meeting ARRIVE
EARLð! Check the
room¶s temperature,
lighting, and
arrangement.
‡ Get yourself organized.
‡ Greet the participants
as they arrive.

 eep your Word.
‡ Do what you promised you would
do!
Make that phone call!
Write that note!
Make the arrangements!


 H2O
‡ Always thirsty? See a
doctor!

‡ Having a bottle of water

is alright if water is
available to others.

‡ If you¶re the only one²

put it away!
˜
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.

h
When you finally reach the
person«

‡ Before you jump

into a deep
conversation, ask
if they have time
to talk.

v
If you¶re on the phone and
another call comes in«

‡ Always ask if it¶s

alright to put
them on hold.

V
 Sign Language?

‡ Do not interrupt
someone on the
telephone by
gesturing,
speaking or
writing them
notes!

±
 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 end²
SLOWLð.
È
ðou¶re Ringing

‡ When you are in

ANð meeting,
turn off your cell
phone ringer²
accept voicemail
and text
messaging only!


 Can you hear me now?
‡ If you MUST take a call in
a public place²try to
move to a more private
space.

‡ Hearing one-sided
conversations alienates
the person NOT in the
conversation!
m
I can¶t talk now, but«

‡ If you must talk

in a public place
(bus, elevator,
airplane etc.)
keep it short and
discreet.


 Rapid Response

‡ Forget junk mail

and forwards, but
ALWAðS respond
to a real message
on your e-mail.


watch wat u say
‡ While our Internet
culture is full of
shorthand, check
your e-mail for
grammatical,
capitalization and
spelling errors!
In business²no
shorthand!
˜
 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.
h
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.
v
 I want to eat my dessert!

‡ When wanting to
eat your dessert,
use the utensils
that were placed
above the plate.

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

±
 How did that get on the
floor?

‡ If your utensils or
napkin fall, DO
NOT crawl around
on the floor to
retrieve²flag
down a waiter
and ask for
another.
È
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.
˜
Chop sticks or Chop Suey?

‡ Eat your Chop

Suey (or any
other food) with
chop sticks ONLð
if you already
know how to use
them²learning in
front of someone
can be ugly!
˜m
What¶s in my Mouth?
‡ Great meal when²
all of a sudden you
realize something in
your mouth needs to
come out!

‡ Cover your mouth

with a napkin and
get it out²
discreetly!
˜
Doing lunch?
‡ Whoever invites a
colleague or client
to a business
lunch pays for it²
that includes the
tip, coat check
and parking if
necessary.

˜
 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.
˜˜
Mirror, mirror on the wall«

‡ Don¶t primp at a
restaurant table
or in public.

‡ Use the restroom

to groom!

˜h
 Party time!
‡ Have fun, but
maintain control!

DO NOT
get drunk
hit on a co-worker
stay at the buffet

˜v
 Warning: DO NOT PIC
‡ at your teeth.

‡ at your face.

‡ your nose.

‡ on your friends.

˜V
 Never, Never, Never«
‡ Burp
‡ Snort

In general:
DO NOT make ANð
bodily noises that
are rude and
disgusting!

˜±
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.
˜È
 Finally«
‡ Take time to say ³please´ and
³thank you´ more often.

‡ Don¶t forget to say ³Hello´ rather

than ³Hi´.

‡ Say ³you¶re welcome´ rather than

³no problem.´
h
 and always«
?



hm
 Sources
‡ www.bartleby,com/95/
‡ www.emilypost.com
‡ www.etiquettehell.com
‡ www.etiquetteessentials.com
‡ www.udefineucom
‡ www.lettgroup.com

h