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.
The first and simplest thing to do is to remember to say please and thank you. While this is something we should always strive to do this is not always simple. For example if you have had a problem with your phone and you need to phone up the customer service helpline your patience can often be tested.
However this is the time when manners become even more important. You are more likely to get a complaint resolved if you talk in a polite tone rather than rant and rave at the person on the other end of the phone. This does not mean you become a pushover and you still need to be firm but being polite is not the same as letting people walk over you.
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.
You need to ensure that children are aware of manners as much as possible. They should learn to say thank you for gifts they get, take their shoes off before going to a house and so forth. Learning early on means they are more likely to be polite as they get older and with any luck pass on those lessons to their children and so forth.
Indeed conversation is something that needs to be considered carefully. Some people will be more sensitive about religion or politics than others. Indeed any conversation can get heated if not properly handled so always try to bring up subjects carefully and sense the tone.
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.
One of the simplest ways to be polite to people is to remember the golden rule of treating others how you would wish to be treated. Whether someone is a potential investor or serving you drinks they are still someone who should be treated with respect. It may sound simple but being able to be polite will generally help you be more accepted with people than trying too hard to be assertive or show off.
The first and simplest thing to do is to remember to say please and thank you. While this is something we should always strive to do this is not always simple. For example if you have had a problem with your phone and you need to phone up the customer service helpline your patience can often be tested.
However this is the time when manners become even more important. You are more likely to get a complaint resolved if you talk in a polite tone rather than rant and rave at the person on the other end of the phone. This does not mean you become a pushover and you still need to be firm but being polite is not the same as letting people walk over you.
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.
You need to ensure that children are aware of manners as much as possible. They should learn to say thank you for gifts they get, take their shoes off before going to a house and so forth. Learning early on means they are more likely to be polite as they get older and with any luck pass on those lessons to their children and so forth.
Indeed conversation is something that needs to be considered carefully. Some people will be more sensitive about religion or politics than others. Indeed any conversation can get heated if not properly handled so always try to bring up subjects carefully and sense the tone.
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.
One of the simplest ways to be polite to people is to remember the golden rule of treating others how you would wish to be treated. Whether someone is a potential investor or serving you drinks they are still someone who should be treated with respect. It may sound simple but being able to be polite will generally help you be more accepted with people than trying too hard to be assertive or show off.
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