Susan’s 5 Top Etiquette Thoughts on Common Courtesies That Seem to Have Gone by the Way Side
In today’s world of texting and self-absorption, we have, as a community, lost much of our civility. I don’t live in a Pollyanna world of wishing it were the 50’s again…but I do wonder why some very common courtesies have gone by the wayside. I am not a credentialed authority on etiquette but I have spent much of my life responsible for ensuring etiquette of events while following the proper protocol. The manners appropriate for the European Courts came to be called “courtly” manners or “courtesy.” We have been working on these for a long time!
My “Top 5 Etiquette Thoughts” are really just common courtesies that should be, in my humble opinion, followed to the letter. It is very difficult to pare down to five thoughts but I believe these are the items that everyone deals with often and that will annoy others if ignored. Take a moment to stop and think about these in context to your personal and professional life.
- Arriving on time is a basic common courtesy for a meeting or social function. Being 10 minutes early should be your goal.
- Respond to an invitation within 48 hours of receiving it. Really…how hard is this?
- Turn off your cell phone at a dinner party or meeting, and be in the moment. This is a 50’s thing…have conversation and be engaged.
- Don’t talk with food in your mouth. Don’t chew with your mouth open. Keep your elbows off of the table while eating. Your mother or father hopefully taught you these very basic table manners but look around many missed that class with their parents.
- Write a thank you note rather than sending an email, handwritten notes are so very thoughtful!
If in the next 90 days you focus on these few items you will do one of two things: You’ll improve your etiquette or want to correct everyone around you.
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