According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of etiquette is as follows:
Definition of etiquette: the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life
Basically, etiquette is all about how you should conduct yourself in social situations – having good etiquette is a sign of respect and class. The basic rules of etiquette are actually relatively simple and encourage a culture of speech, clean appearance, common courtesy, and emotional control.
While people rarely notice exemplary etiquette, they do notice poor etiquette. Poor etiquette can leave a bad impression on others.
With that in mind, here are 26 of the most important etiquette rules to keep in mind.
- Phone on the table in public: it is actually rude to put your phone on the table in public. Doing show reveals just how important of a role the device plays in your life. It may even indicate that you are bored and shows that at any moment, you may check Facebook, text someone else, or play a game.
- Visiting friends: this rule seems pretty obvious, but never visit someone without calling them first. It is appropriate to give someone adequate time to prepare for a visit.
- Carrying handbags: a man should NEVER carry a woman’s handbag. He can, however, carry her coat to the coat check.
- “I invite you:” this phrase indicates that you are offering to pay. Alternatively, if you say “let’s go to a restaurant,” you are indicating that everyone should pay for themselves. It is also up to a woman to accept or decline a man’s offer to pay.
- Inviting girls on dates: you should not invite a girl on a date if you plan on texting the whole evening.
- Greeting strangers: if you are walking with a friend and they see someone they know, you should also greet them.
- Eating sushi: a lot of people think that the proper way to eat sushi is using chopsticks. However, it also appropriate to use your hand to eat sushi.
- Talking on the phone: in general, try to avoid meaningless talk on the phone. If you really have something important to speak to someone about, talk to them in person.
- Clean shoes: your shoes should always be clean.
- Walking by a woman’s side: men should almost always walk on the left-hand side of a woman. The only exception is made for military men, who need to be ready to salute.
- Responding to someone who offends you: if someone does something offensive towards you, do not return the favor. It is not polite to raise your voice. The best course of action is usually to leave the ill-mannered company.
- Things to not talk about: wealth, medical problems, age, religion, honor, love affairs, gifts, family quarrels, and disgrace.
- Driving through puddles: drivers should be aware that it is ill-mannered to drive through a puddle when pedestrians are close by.
- Chasing fashion: favor wearing nice, clean attire instead of brand new items. Is preferable to look nice (even if not fashionable) than it is to look terrible in “trendy” clothing.
- Greeting people when you enter a room: no matter what your profession is, it is best to be the first person to greet everyone in the room.
- Privacy of messages: it is best to respect other’s peoples’ private correspondences. Parents should not read their children’s texts. The same goes for couples.
- Smoking in presence of a woman: men should only smoke in the presence of a woman if they have her permission.
- Respecting woman: every man should show every woman the utmost respect.
- Perfume: the most important rule when using perfume is to use it in moderation. If in the evening you can still smell your own perfume then it is likely that others have smelled more than enough of it throughout the day.
- Touching a woman: a man should NEVER touch a woman without her permission. It is as simple as that.
- Responding to rude calls: if someone calls you in an inappropriate manner (e.g., “You there!”), do not answer. The best way to encourage others to have good etiquette is to be a model of it yourself.
- Getting to your seat in a theater: when you are entering a row, you should pass people with your front facing them. A man should go before a woman.
- Saying thank you: don’t forget to thank your friends, relatives, and loved ones. Appreciate the love and help that they offer you.
- Responding to being forgiven: if someone has forgiven you after you have apologized, don’t dwell on the offensive topic. Just avoid the mistake in the future.
- Laughing and talking in public: try not to laugh and/or talk too loudly in public. Please also do not stare at people – it is distasteful.
- RSVP’ing to events: you should always respond to an RSVP – whether you can attend or not. Not replying is not the same as replying that you cannot attend.
In the words of Jack Nicholson, the actor:
“I think much of decency. How to pass a plate. Not to shout from one room to another. Not to open a closed door without knocking. Let a lady pass. The aim of these endless simple rules is to make life better. I pay close attention to my manners. Etiquette matters. It’s a simple and comprehensible language of mutual respect.”
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