Etiquette still has a place in the office: creating order and helping others get along

Etiquette

Today there seems to be a generational divide regarding etiquette, the complaint being that young people lack manners.

Why is etiquette important?

Etiquette is about being considerate.  It doesn't matter what fork one uses, what really matters is being kind and considerate and paying attention to other people you're dining with, not the fork.

Today it doesn't matter if you are on the golf course, in the board room, or out dining with friends. Good manners are always in fashion and are always needed.  In today's world we build relationships, we build friendships, it doesn't matter the location, we should always be kind to one another. 

How you relate to people is very important. Your appearance, your words and the actions you take are going to affect how people respond to you.  Being comfortable and being confident with what you're doing  is key.

 Most of us today work on a computer at our work location, it tends to isolate us and sometimes we are not dealing face to face with others.  By being isolated, we tend to use technology without thinking of how its going to interrupt.  Computers, iPhones etc have made us an instantaneous society, so people are now expecting things right away.  It's in that kind of environment that people sometimes don't stop and say hello to each other.  They forget some of the niceties.

So here are some memory joggers

• It takes 5 seconds to "make an impression"
• 21 days to start a pattern
• 100 days to become automatic
• 30 days a message is forgotten
• 60% of a message is forgotten in 24 hours
• when 90% of a message is retained for 30 days with 8 days of constant reminding 

Put new skills to work right away.  Research proves that the sooner you implement a new behavior, the better your chances of making it a permanent part of your daily life.....

How to greet the Queen of England

Yes, she is royalty, but unless you're a citizen of Great Britain, don't curtsy or bow to the queen.

Over the weekend.....my husband and I saw a great movie and got me thinking about royalty. We saw the King's Speech and what a delightful true story, we both loved it. Listed below are a few bullet

points for all of you, just in case you are in a situation where you're able to meet a royal.

• Address all correspondence to the " The Private Secretary of Her Majesty the Queen," not the queen herself.  Request the correspondence be communicated to her royal person.

• Contact the queen at the following address:     Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, England

• Greet the queen as "your majesty" initially. Use Madame thereafter
• Accept the queen's offer of a handshake, and of course, a bit of conversation if she's willing.
• Don't show the queen your back, if you're following tradition, and leave the room only after the queen does.  Keep in mind that times have changed and formalities have eased.
• If you have gloves on, remove them.

holiday inviting..... Let's throw a party...a guide to invitation etiquette

Holiday Open House

• You have decided to throw a party  -- but WHO to invite?
• Asking someone to an event may seem less important, but how you extend the invitation gives Guests the first clues about what to expect from the party
• An Evite, (email) suggests a casual affair as opposed to an engraved invitation sent by U.S. mail.
• How do you set the scene for the kind of event you want - but you don't want to offend anyone.
• Here's the information, scoop for your next Holiday Party.

1. WHOM should you invite? Basically invite anyone you feel will have fun at the party and may have something to add.  Always include people from different groups of your life.  Such as neighbors, work friends, your son's Coach, church friends.
2. When should you write "Regrets only" instead of RSVP on an invitation? RSVP is french for an acronym for Repondez s'il vous plait, (Which is ...please respond if you please).  While "regrets only" certainly makes it easier on your Guests, using it can wreck havoc on your planning. Theoretically no responses mean that everyone is coming.
3. What about people who don't reply and then show up?  Its your job to make everyone feel comfortable in your  home, so just grin and bear it and greet the Guest graciously in your home.  And remember the 67% percent rule for any party large or small. 67% percent will show up no matter what and no matter how many replied.  So if you having a seated event, have a backup plan - extra tables and chairs - just in case.  Getting upset will kill the party so just know this ahead of time and smile and keep your happy face on.
4. So - if you are the Guest, how to get invited back? Always bring a small hostess gift that's low maintenance such as cocktail napkins or bar of fancy soap.  Also take the pressure off the Hostess by self-mingling with new comers to the party.  You could also pinch in to help clean up the kitchen  or refilling the ice bucket or taking some dirty plates into the kitchen.  I have a good friend (Teresa S) who always jumps in and starts the dishes. She is a lifesaver to me.

Handshaking - the Ultimate Greeting

We notice persons non-verbally by their touch, and the way we touch someone in business is most often with our handshake. One's handshake reveals a great deal about inner traits, personality and feelings. Most of all, a handshake conveys one's attitude toward others. Handshaking is a form of communication that needs no explanation, and one that is never misunderstood. Every time you extend your hand you are judged by your handshake and far more than you realize, you unconsiously judge others by the way they shake hands.

How to make an Entrance and Work the Room

One of the most important features in showing up any place is the entrance you make.

Almost everyone watches the entrance to a room - use it to your advantage.

Maintain good posture at all times because it instantly creates an impression of confidence.

To make a strong entrance walk into the room.

Pause briefly to spot key persons and to allow others to see you.

Don't stand in the doorway, I repeat walk into the room.

Rushing in and heading for the food or the bar is counterproductive to your agenda.

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Doing your homework will help you create confidence and authority.