Etiquette is the set of rules that teaches us to
behave correctly and politely in formal and social settings. Some people might
say that etiquette is an outdated concept but the truth is: good manners never
run out of style. It gets updated with the present times. It shows that we are
respectful beings and treat others with respect and compassion. If etiquette didn’t exist, there would have been very few differences between humans and animals.
Etiquette is important for first good impressions
and also for leveling up your status among people. It is never too late to
learn etiquette. Here are 7 basic etiquette rules that you should follow and it
will make your life better.
1.
Put your phones away when talking to
people – Phones are our best friends these days and we often
find ourselves checking our phones and replying to texts while talking to
someone in front of us. It is not a good thing to do and is considered as being
rude. For a proper communication, we need to maintain eye contact, listen and
engage actively in the conversation. It is better to keep your phone on silent
mode. If you are using your phone when talking to someone, the person will
feel that you aren’t interested to listen to what the person has to say.
2.
Always be on time – Being
late is considered as unacceptable. Punctuality is very important because
everyone is so busy these days. Being on time makes the person feel that you
value them. Being late not only wastes others’ time but your time too. It will
make you feel stressed. It is not nice to start a meeting or a casual
get-together with an apology. Punctuality should be followed everywhere and not
just in workplace. No reason is good enough to describe why you were late,
except in case of real emergencies.
3.
Step aside to speak on calls – This
world is already very noisy and no one will like you contributing more to it.
Never be on a call when you are in a queue or in a public transport. No one
wants to hear what you have got to say. It can also prove to be unsafe because
someone might hear important things that you wouldn’t want others to know. When
out with people, excuse yourself when you have to attend a call. And never
shout when talking on call. If you can’t hear them or they can’t hear you, tell
them that you will call them back later.
4.
Learn table manners – Are
you a messy eater? If yes, then you should really learn some table manners. No
one will like to dine with you if you have gross eating habits. Table manners
are important because people judge you on that. If you have good table manners,
you will leave a good impression of yourself on others and people will think of
you as a civilized person. It also shows that you are being respectful and
others will be comfortable with you at the table. It boosts our confidence and
makes us look organized.
5.
Don’t show up empty-handed when
invited – It is good etiquette to bring your host a gift because
the host has put up some efforts to organize a gathering for you. It is
necessary to show that you appreciate and are grateful for their invitation in
the form of a gift. And also, the gift needs to be appropriate for the
occasion. Small gestures like this will make the host feel appreciated for
their hospitality.
6.
Avoid gossiping, criticizing and
complaining – People like trash talking but it is not respectful
to participate in gossiping, criticizing and complaining conversations. It is
like demeaning someone. Gossips are not always true and it is better not to
share them with everyone. If you talk bad about others, it means that you have
poor manners. Immediately try to change the topic if you find someone
badmouthing others. If they continue to do so, leave that place.
7.
Respect people’s comfort level –
Not everyone is the same; everyone has different comfort level and different
definitions of privacy. It is important for us to respect other’s privacy. Don’t
get too close to them that they will see it as you being rude. Back off when you
feel like the person is getting uncomfortable. Give them the freedom to be
themselves. Also ask before you share their pictures or tag them in social
media.
Good manners always matter as it helps us to
behave responsibly and also to have a successful life. Do you follow these
basic etiquette rules?
