Commentary by Beverly Randolph
Good manners put others at ease, make life easier and the world a better place. Let’s cultivate kindness by adding these tips into our daily lives. What tip would you like to add?
1. When dining, wait for everyone to be served and the hostess to begin.
2. Instead of checking your phone, dedicate yourself by paying attention to and respecting your friends.
3. When people help you, show appreciation by thanking them. Take five minutes to send a thank-you note. I promise they’ll smile and open your letter first.
4. While walking to your seat when you are at the cinema, theater, game, etc., face the people you pass on your way.
5. When you enter a room, regardless of your age, profession, or status, always greet everyone.
6. When on speakerphone, close the door, advise you are on speaker and that others are present and give participants’ names.
7. Whomever arrives at the door first, opens it. Be gracious and thank the person.
8. When on the elevator, let others off and hold the doors. In your head, this is a great time to hone your elevator speech. If you feel bold, share it.
9. Restrict business texts to business hours (one hour before the start of the workday and two hours after).
10. When introducing others, state the name the person of greater status first. Clients are always priority and stated first.
11. Remove your sunglasses and/or earbuds to speak to someone.
12. Never show up empty-handed to a party.
13. At the start of a call or Instant Messenger, always ask “if now is a good time to talk.”
14. Always R.S.V.P. to an invitation.
15. Always be careful of what you post, especially on social media. If there is doubt, don’t.
Do you have any etiquette dilemmas? Share them and any other etiquette questions you have.
Beverly Randolph, MA, is a certified Business Etiquette, Children’s Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant and the founder of The Protocol School of Indianapolis. Beverly lives in Carmel and teaches at Marian University. For more, visit beverlyrandolph.com, email Beverly at [email protected], or call her at 317-430-5696.
