20 Important Etiquette Rules That Everyone Should Always Practice
20 Important Etiquette Rules That Everyone Should Always Practice
1 When to start eating:
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If you're seated at a table with eight or fewer guests, wait until everyone is served and for the hostess to begin eating before you dig in. At a long banquet table, it's OK to start when several people are seated and served. These are little etiquette rules to follow when you're a guest in someone's house.
2 What to keep off the table:
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All items not having to do with food (and decoration) should remain off the table: keys, clutch bags, sunglasses, and especially phones.
3 When to text:
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"If you're in a situation where you'd excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, you should also excuse yourself before reaching for your phone," writes Farhad Manjoo on slate.com. These are the most annoying texting habits, according to science.
4 What to do if you're not drinking wine:
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Don't make a big deal of saying you don't drink. Simply place your fingertips on the rim of the glass and say "Not today, thanks." This implies no judgment of those who wish to imbibe.
5 How to talk on speakerphone:
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Don't use a speakerphone unless you're in your office and holding a meeting that's being attended by someone remotely. Alert the person you're speaking with that others are present, and close the door. FYI: Using speakerphone at full volume to go through your voice mailbox is the definition of annoying.
6 How to open the door for someone else:
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It doesn't matter the gender of either.
7 How to handle the work kitchen microwave
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Come on. And it's a good idea to not to microwave this stuff either.
8 Here's some basic airport etiquette:
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And once on board, stow your stuff and get out of the aisle quickly. When claiming your baggage, don't crowd the carousel. Step forward only when you see your bag.
9 How to behave in an elevator:
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You should also hold the doors for others before you board.
10 Here's basic email etiquette:
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If all you have to say in your email reply is "Thanks!" refrain from sending it. You're just clogging an inbox. Refrain from these other annoying email habits, too.
11 Try this basic cell phone etiquette tip:
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When talking to someone in person, don't glance down at your cell phone to see who's trying to reach you.
12 Here's how to be polite in email:
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Things not to do when emailing: shout in all caps, use colored fonts or clip-art emoticons, attach large files, forward an email unless appropriate.
13 When to send work texts vs. emails:
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Work emails can be sent anytime, but business texts should be restricted to one hour before the start of the workday to two hours after it ends, according to The Modern Gentleman.
14 Here's the right way to squeeze a lemon into your drink:
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Use your hand to shield your lemon as you squeeze it into your iced tea so you don’t inadvertently squirt your dining companion in the eye. These are some of the worst dining manners.
15 This is basic napkin etiquette people miss:
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If you’re eating and want to take a sip, dab your mouth with your napkin to avoid staining the rim of the glass.
16 Here's a major food passing faux pas:
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Grabbing a bowl of salad or a saltshaker as it’s being passed to someone who asked for it is the equivalent of cutting in line: greedy and rude.
17 Here's the proper way to pass food:
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But if someone to your left asks for something, you can hand it directly to him.
18 Here's the deal with taking home leftovers:
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When out with friends or family—even at a fancy restaurant—it’s fine to ask for your leftovers to be wrapped. But don’t do it at a business lunch or dinner.
20 When to check your phone in meetings:
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Don’t check personal devices during a meeting attended by your boss or anyone else who can make her disapproval your problem.