The term etiquette can sound quaint and old fashioned. However in the modern world manners are more important than ever. With more forms of technology there are more potential ways you could offend people. Therefore it is vital to be aware of basic manners and etiquette.
One of the simplest methods of being polite is to say please and thank you. This is something people appreciate. It is important that people aware you feel grateful for what you want from them. Equally if you give something to people it should be done in a way that makes them feel you are thinking about them. This can also extend to arriving at the time you say you will be there, replying promptly and politely to emails and so forth.
However this is the time when manners become even more important. You are more likely to get a complaint resolved if you talk in a polite tone rather than rant and rave at the person on the other end of the phone. This does not mean you become a pushover and you still need to be firm but being polite is not the same as letting people walk over you.
Unfortunately delays can sometimes happen that are beyond your control. If you are know you are going to be late it is good manners to inform people that you are going to be late so they can make alternative arrangements as necessary. However if you are well organised you are less likely to face these kinds of problems as you can allow time for delays.
With the rise of the internet there is also the issue of internet etiquette. The additional anonymity and the ability to quickly post messages can often lead to insensitivity and conversations that could be misinterpreted. A good rule is that anything you would not say to someone face to face should not be posted online.
With regard to phones there is a whole array of etiquette to be aware of. It is best to either set them to silent or turn them off. Taking a call in the middle of a meeting or while talking can be very rude as the inference is that this call is more important than the person you are talking to.
Another complication is that some actions that were previously considered polite can be considered patronising now. A good example is opening doors. Some women can find patronising if you open doors just for them. A better approach is to open doors for everyone as this is just general politeness.
The simplest bit of advice when it comes to politeness is to consider how you would expect to be treated. This should apply to everyone you talk to regardless of whether they are a friend, someone serving you pancakes or the customer service agent who has to deal with a complaint. Generally if you are polite and willing to engage with people they are more likely to do the same with you!
One of the simplest methods of being polite is to say please and thank you. This is something people appreciate. It is important that people aware you feel grateful for what you want from them. Equally if you give something to people it should be done in a way that makes them feel you are thinking about them. This can also extend to arriving at the time you say you will be there, replying promptly and politely to emails and so forth.
However this is the time when manners become even more important. You are more likely to get a complaint resolved if you talk in a polite tone rather than rant and rave at the person on the other end of the phone. This does not mean you become a pushover and you still need to be firm but being polite is not the same as letting people walk over you.
Unfortunately delays can sometimes happen that are beyond your control. If you are know you are going to be late it is good manners to inform people that you are going to be late so they can make alternative arrangements as necessary. However if you are well organised you are less likely to face these kinds of problems as you can allow time for delays.
With the rise of the internet there is also the issue of internet etiquette. The additional anonymity and the ability to quickly post messages can often lead to insensitivity and conversations that could be misinterpreted. A good rule is that anything you would not say to someone face to face should not be posted online.
With regard to phones there is a whole array of etiquette to be aware of. It is best to either set them to silent or turn them off. Taking a call in the middle of a meeting or while talking can be very rude as the inference is that this call is more important than the person you are talking to.
Another complication is that some actions that were previously considered polite can be considered patronising now. A good example is opening doors. Some women can find patronising if you open doors just for them. A better approach is to open doors for everyone as this is just general politeness.
The simplest bit of advice when it comes to politeness is to consider how you would expect to be treated. This should apply to everyone you talk to regardless of whether they are a friend, someone serving you pancakes or the customer service agent who has to deal with a complaint. Generally if you are polite and willing to engage with people they are more likely to do the same with you!
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