Etiquettes and Manners

Etiquette can be defined as ‘The conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life’.

Manners can be defined as ‘Social conduct or rules of conduct to be followed in the prevalent customs’.

Do’s and Dont’s
(1) Do not chomp on food loudly whether at a formal western meal or an informal home cooked meal, eating out with friends, family, etc.
(2) Do not slurp beverages nosily.
(3) Knock on the door (obtain permission) before entering a room.
(4) Say ‘please’ when requesting a favor.
(5) Say ‘thank you’ when a favor is done or even when someone hands something over to you.
Please note: Saying ‘thank you’ by itself is not a formality. The manner or style of saying ‘thank you’ may be formal or informal.
(6) Wait for your turn patiently in a queue.
(7) Hold a door open for a lady/older person.
(8) Give up your seat for someone who needs it more than you do.
(9) Return phone calls and reply letters.
(10) Be punctual.
(11) Use dust bin; do not litter in public places.
(12) Do not monopolize conversation; Give others a chance to speak as well.
(13) Stand up when a senior or an elderly person enters the room.
(14) Do not sneeze/cough into peoples faces. Turn to a side and cover up with a handkerchief
while sneezing or coughing. Excuse yourself for having done so.
(15) Follow all traffic rules; they are formulated for everyone’s safety.

Technology has no doubt made communication so much easier. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of technology depends on people’s communication skills and abilities. Such technology is used to connect people, courtesy/manners/etiquette extended through technology also.
1. Cell phone etiquette
2. Telephone etiquette
3. e-mail etiquette

Cell Phone Etiquette
Once a status symbol, cell or mobile phones have become a necessity today. They make it easy to stay in touch no matter where you are – travelling, shopping, partying, walking on the road or driving a car.
Unfortunately, the cell phone has become infamous for its nuisance value – a typical example of technology over use and abuse. People are being subjected to the intrusive irritation of cell phone disturbance.

Rules of etiquette in using cell phones:

• Do not talk loudly in a crowded venue on the cell phone.
• Switch off your cell phones in places of worship.
• Remember to switch off the cell phones in places where it might disturb others. (Eg Hospitals, Library). Cell phones have ‘call divert, answering machine and call waiting options’ – use them. Alternatively, turn the ringer off and opt for the vibrator mode.
• In India more and more states are introducing legislation to ban the use of the cell phone while driving. Using hands free device is also banned in some states and is considered a serious driving hazard.
• Don’t yell into your cell phone. It’s more sound sensitive than the regular phone. Connections are fairly clear, so you can be heard well enough.
• Don’t discuss private and personal matters loudly in public.
• An important call during a meeting or discussion, may be answered but after excusing yourself

- This should not happen frequently.

• Using the cell phone in public to share sensitive information with the person on the other end might turn counter productive, as casual by-standers suddenly become interested eavesdroppers.
• Be judicious in handing out cell phone numbers to people.

Telephone Etiquette
Guidelines for using the telephone:

• Do not treat the telephone as a substitute for a personal meeting – and talk for extended periods of time.
• Do not sound rude, grouchy, sulky and uninterested on the phone – remember that the person at the other end cannot see you and is trying to get a complete picture of the communication through the tone of your voice – be careful of what you convey through the tone of your voice.
• Do not transfer your negative moods on the caller, it will leave the caller confused.
• Do not make an important business call, if, you are in a negative mood. Impulsive calls are normally later regretted.
• Always return calls that were made in your absence.
• Do not abuse the telephone by making obscene and unsolicited calls.
• The telephone revolutionized communication – use it judiciously.

E-mail Etiquette
Guidelines for using the Electronic Mail System:

• Never send an email in ALL CAPS; it is akin to shouting.
• Reading and responding to email is a professional responsibility, just like answering the phone at the office.
• If you send an important email and have not got a response in a reasonable amount of time, follow up with a phone call.
• Send email when it needs to be sent. Unnecessary email eats up storage space
• Do not ignore the subject line. Use it to effectively communicate the subject of the mail.
• Be careful of viruses. Never send an unexplained attachment to anyone. Don’t accept one either – get back to the sender for details.
• Do not use too many abbreviation in an official business email to the clients etc. It gives a very casual and unprofessional impression. Treat it as a letter typed out on paper.