As etiquette consultants say: always take good manners with you. Etiquette rules should be followed everywhere, whether it is a visit to the theater, a cafe, a restaurant, a movie, a ride on public transport or even just a walk in the park. They are needed to ensure comfortable coexistence and interaction of people in society.
Etiquette standards are unified rules of conduct for certain situations. Behavior that is appropriate in a nightclub is unacceptable in a theater, and communication with close friends will always differ from communication when meeting a person for the first time.
Understanding these norms for different situations and their correct application is an integral part of the general culture of a person. So, how should a cultured person behave? We will answer this question, but first we suggest you test yourself: do you now know how to behave correctly in different situations?
Etiquette of behavior in any public place
When in public places, please remember the following:
- If you need to stop in a crowd of people, you should first step aside.
- Don’t push people if you need to get through.
- If you accidentally bump into someone or step on their foot, you should apologize.
- You need to carry your things – a bag, a briefcase, a skateboard, a musical instrument – in such a way as not to hit others.
- Garbage should be thrown into the trash can or taken with you to the nearest trash can.
- It is worth refraining from prolonged hugs and kisses, even between close people, lovers or spouses.
- You should refrain from loud conversations both on the phone and among yourself, if you are with a friend, spouse, or in a group.
- You should refrain from discussing household matters and the nuances of your personal life.
- During communication, you should refrain from excessive gesticulation. Also, you should not scratch, rub your hands, or crack your knuckles.
- On the street, a man walks to the left of a woman. The exception is the military, who perform a military salute (salute) with their right hand.
- Don’t point your fingers at people and objects.
- You need to constantly monitor your children so that they do not disturb others.
The rules of etiquette in public areas should be highlighted as a separate block.
Etiquette of behavior in public areas
The rules of good manners and etiquette in public areas are as follows:
- At the door, a man lets a woman go first, a junior lets an elder go first, and an ordinary employee lets his boss go first.
- Among those equal in age and status, the one who is closer to the door goes first. If the distance to the door is the same, the one entering lets the one leaving pass.
- You should hold the door if someone is following you.
- If the doors are double-leaf, adhere to the “right-hand traffic” rule and leave the left leaf for those coming from the opposite direction.
- The man goes down the stairs first, the woman goes up. If the stairs are dark or the room is unfamiliar to the woman, the man goes up the stairs first.
- The side of the stairs near the railing should be given to women, the elderly and children. Of two people of the same sex, the younger one gives way.
- In the elevator, the person standing closest to the buttons must ask everyone else for the floor and press the necessary buttons.
- The first person to enter the room greets those already inside.
- You should refrain from listening to music or watching movies without headphones.
- You shouldn’t stare at someone, even if you find something interesting about them.
- Women are allowed to wear their hats and gloves indoors, but they are required to remove their caps and mittens.
- Do not initiate a handshake in the restroom.
Rules of conduct in public transport
Even if you have long ago acquired a personal car, you should learn the rules of conduct in public transport. And even if you are traveling by bus from the exit of the airport building to the steps of the plane, you should follow them:
- Wait until everyone who was going to get off at the stop has exited the vehicle, and only then enter the vehicle.
- Wait until the free seats are occupied by elderly people, disabled people, parents with small children, pregnant women, and only then take one of the remaining free seats.
- You should only occupy one seat if you are traveling alone. Do not put your bag on the seat next to you, do not spread your legs wide apart, preventing someone from taking the seat next to you.
- If you see someone you know at the other end of the salon, greet them with a nod and a smile.
- A man should exit public transport first, then offer his hand and help his companion exit.
No less interesting are the nuances of etiquette in establishments where you can have a snack and drink coffee.
Rules of conduct in cafes and restaurants
When you find yourself in a cafe or restaurant, try not to forget the following:
- The man is responsible for the companion’s clothes – he helps take off the fur coat or coat and hands the companion’s outerwear to the cloakroom.
- In the hall, the man helps his companion sit down by moving her chair, and only after that sits down himself.
- During a meal or while waiting for an order, you should not put your elbows on the table. As an exception, a lady may briefly put her elbows on the table, but not a gentleman.
- You must not place any foreign objects on the table that are not related to the meal.
- If you need to show an object – a phone, a book, something else – just pass it from hand to hand.
- You should use cosmetics, comb your hair, and do other personal grooming only in the restroom.
- Don’t talk on the phone at the table.
- If you need to make a call or receive a call, apologize and leave the table.
- It is acceptable to cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
- You should not take a transparent wine glass or goblet with greasy hands.
In fact, table etiquette is a much larger body of knowledge, and it may differ from country to country. It would be better if you familiarize yourself with the rules of conduct in the country you are visiting before traveling abroad.
If the amount of information seems too large and difficult to remember, you can use mnemonic rules or associative memorization techniques. For example, it is known that bread should be on the left, drinks – on the right. Put your fingers in the Ok gesture, and the combination on the left hand will resemble the letter b (bread), and on the right – d (drink).
Rules of conduct in the theater and cinema
Monitoring behavior is important and necessary, among other things, in places of leisure:
- Arrive at the beginning of the performance and session on time, without being late.
- Refrain from consuming food and drinks in the auditorium.
- Turn off or switch gadgets to silent mode during a movie or performance.
- Do not film what is happening if the organizers have prohibited filming.
- Sit quietly, do not lean to the right or left or forward or backward, so as not to disturb your neighbors and those sitting behind you.
- Those who come together cannot sit with their head on the shoulder of their companion, or with their heads tilted towards each other, as this disturbs the spectators sitting behind them.
- If two couples M+F come to a session or performance, the women sit in the center of the auditorium, the men sit on both sides, each next to his companion.
- During the intermission, move to the exit along the row facing the seated people, and not with your back to them.
- You shouldn’t talk during a session or performance – you should wait until the end or intermission.
- You should not gesture, sing along, or tap your feet when music starts playing during a film or performance.
Let us clarify that the rules are more democratic for concerts. Many performers themselves ask the audience to sing along with them or shout: “I can’t see your hands!” Many groups are even pleased if the audience knows the lyrics to their songs by heart. In addition, for example, no rock concert ever starts on time, so late arrivals by the audience are also acceptable.
A separate topic is the etiquette of communication when meeting someone. There are rules here too.
Basic rules of dating
By following these rules, you will not only be polite, but you will also make a good first impression on people:
- When meeting, a man is introduced to a woman, those younger in age or position are introduced to elders, and those who arrived later are introduced to those who arrived earlier.
- The person you are introducing a stranger to should be named first, and the person being introduced second. For example: “Katya, meet Roman”, “Ivan Petrovich, this is Marina”.
- It is acceptable and desirable to clarify when introducing yourself to someone the occupation and/or the extent of your acquaintance with those you are introducing to each other. For example: “Katya, meet my husband Roman. Roma, meet my friend Katya, we studied together at university.”
- The person to whom the stranger is introduced should be the first to extend a hand for a handshake.
- If someone wants to shake your hand while you are sitting, you should stand up or at least stand up slightly.
And finally, one more important topic is business etiquette.
Basic rules of business etiquette
In essence, this is a set of rules for communication in the work environment, mandatory for everyone, be it a big boss, a top manager or an ordinary employee:
- Don’t be late.
- Always say hello, thank you and please, and don’t interrupt your interlocutor.
- Please give advance notice of your visit.
- Before entering, knock or say “hello” if the door is open.
- In business negotiations, try to express yourself clearly, concisely and distinctly so that the essence of your message is as clear as possible.
- Avoid using too much slang and foreign words, especially if the business meeting involves specialists from related fields who are not too familiar with the intricacies of your work.
- Double-check your written messages and correct errors before sending.
- In instant messengers, do not split a long message into short ones – it is better to shorten the essence of the letter so that it easily fits into one message.
- It is better to answer a phone call after the 2nd or 3rd ring.
- If you don’t get an answer after the 5th ring, hang up.
- If the connection is interrupted during a call, the initiator of the call must call back.
- Introduce yourself if you are calling from a new number.
- You should notify your video call in advance, for example, via text message.
- During a video call, look at the other person, not at yourself in the camera.
- The handshake should be initiated by the manager, including if the subordinates are women.
- It is not proper to kiss women’s hands at business meetings.
- Do not reveal or ask for commercial secrets.
- Do not discuss those who are absent, and especially do not speak badly of them.
- Always ask permission from your business partners if you want to refer to them to third parties, list them as partners on your website, or share any incident involving them in public.
- The person who invites you to dinner pays for a business dinner.
These are the basic rules of etiquette. We will not touch upon all the rules of business communication – there are many of them, and they differ slightly in situations (communication with a client, boss or business partner). In principle, good manners and business etiquette are not that difficult.
We will also not dwell on the dress code rules – they can differ significantly for different areas. The clothing requirements for employees of a creative agency and a commercial bank are very different, and even within the industry it is worth clarifying the presence or absence of restrictions. In any case, the clothes should be clean, look harmonious and match the accessories.
These are the basic rules of etiquette that are mandatory to follow. If your knowledge is much greater and broader, this is an exceptional plus for your karma. Moreover, you should master special rules of conduct for those places that you visit often. For example, rules of etiquette in a gym or fitness center. This will significantly facilitate your communication with others.
In addition, you can take our program ” Best Communication Techniques “, and then you will be able to navigate absolutely any situation. We wish you interesting communication and effective communications and are waiting for you at our programs!