Everyday etiquette

20240724|16:32

Everyday etiquette

Making a Good First Impression

When meeting someone for the first time, repeat his or her name in your conversation.
Listen Carefully when you meet someone, not only to the words a person uses, but also to their underlying meaning by looking at their body language and how they respond to what you say. Respond when appropriate and be generous and gracious.
Always maintain eye contact while speaking to a person, that shows you are listening.
Be careful of using humor, especially if you are meeting someone for the first time. You don't want to offend them the first time you meet.
Check your ego at the door. Wait until you have established credibility before you even consider challenging someone you've just met, especially in more formal settings.
Choose your words carefully because, rightly or wrongly, what you say will be used to judge your intelligence, education, culture, maturity and abilities.

Opening a Doors

Opening a Door For a Stranger

Male for female, it's polite to open a door for someone if you are both entering an establishment at the same time.
So, how do you do this without it being awkward?
If you are approaching a door at the same time as someone, keep your pace even, and when you arrive at the door, simply say "I've got it" and reach for the door handle. As you open the door, step to the side to let them pass through more easily. If the say "Thank you" all you need to respond with is "You're welcome"

Opening a Door For a Companion

You are walking side by side with a friend or a colleague and you arrive at a closed door. Who should open it and how should it be done without one person crossing awkwardly in front of the other person?
The correct way: The person closest to the door who can use his or her right hand to open it should be the one to move forward first. This avoids the "awkward cross"

The one exception is if your companion requires assistance, such as an elderly person, some one with luggage, ect. In which case it is polite to excuse yourself for walking in front of your companion, open the door and allow them to pass through

How to eat at a fancy restaurant

Car etiquette

You may more may not be surprised to learn there are polite and unpolite ways of of being around and in other peoples cars.
When you are a guest in someone's car, be respectful. Don't change the radio station, adjust the heat settings or pull out you phone as soon as you are in. If you're uncomfortable with the temperature or music, politely ask the driver if they can make adjustments rather than doing it yourself. Avoid eating in the car unless you're explicitly told it's okay. Food spills and strong odors can linger, which may inconvenience the car's owner later.

The Do's and Don't of a Handshake

The handshake is an important aspect of making a good first impression. A badly executed handshake, poorly timed, will inevitably create a more negative impression. You have probably experienced a bone crushing hand shake, this happens when some one uses to much force in a handshake, it actually hurts the other person. This kind of greeting does not show dominance, as some people may believe, rather it makes the person executing the handshake look carless for people around them.

So what makes a effective handshake?
It should be genuine and friendly
Your palm should be warm and dry, no cold and wet.
Your grip should not be limp and lifeless, nor bone crushing. You want it to be firm and strong but not quashing the other persons hand

Things to remember when shaking hands

Maintain eye contact. (Note, this is the Western approach. There are differences between cultures, the Asian part of the world eye contact is often considered disrespectful)
Smile warmly.
Focus your attention on the person to whom you're being introduced to, or who is being introduced to you
Listen to what the person right infront of you is saying.
Keep your hand open and connect "web to web" (Palm to palm).
Gauge the duration of the handshake by paying close attention to the other person. This varies but a good rule of thumb is to give one good firm shake to people you know and mates, and 3 pumps of you hand to anyone else, not hard, only firm.

When entering others homes

When you're invited to someone’s home, it's important to be respectful and considerate of their space. First impressions matter, so start off on the right foot

Greeting the Host at Events

Upon arriving at an event, greet the host warmly with a smile or handshake and thank them for the invitation. A sincere compliment about their home or setup is a nice touch. Offering to help with small tasks shows thoughtfulness, even if it’s declined.

During the event, engage in conversation and be considerate of others. Before leaving, thank the host again, and a follow-up message the next day is always appreciated.

References

The Butler Speaks - Book