The Excellency of MannersThe Refinery of Your Manners Belongs To You As I have written about before, etiquette come to us naturally we are kind and considerate, and are sensitive to people's feelings. If you can learn how to put yourself in another person's shoe, you are already in the know. That really is all we have to do. Quick Tips Manners Today M# Ask yourself, if I were...(other person's shoes) # Never interrupt when someone is talking. # Be sensitive to feelings. If you sense embarrassment or that she is uncomfortable, quickly change the subject. # Quickly apologize when you've made an error. # Be direct and firm if you have to but kindly. # Never assume! Don't make assumptions about anything! Read my next article on common mistakes. # Always say please and thank you, say your greetings and goodbyes. Make an effort to talk to even the shyest, most awkward person in the room. # Give praise when praise is due. Learn to give a little heartfelt praise. # Never draw attention to yourself. Or take over the conversation. Or dominate the conversation. # Encourage one another! We all need it. # Don't be too hard on others when people make mistakes. # When offended, don't take offense. # Pretend not to notice or make light of the situation when someone is caught in a awkward position like when she falls, knocks over a bottle of wine, sneezes, coughs, or has a pimple. # Do not stare! # Do not laugh at people. # Do not be a snob.  # Do not ask what brand of clothes or shoes or how much it costs. More tips can be found on guidelines of etiquette Want to improve your manners? Read on or take a test! A Personal ExperienceSome of my friends suggest this is borderline...but I'm speaking from personal experience. I've had friends who are embarrassed to be poor and they blush deeper when someone asks. I've experienced the two ends of the spectrum. In my experience, I've embarrassed especially when I have over-indulged myself in luxury bags and shoes and have to cough up and admit the price. During university when my shopping budget was very limited, I will always remember this mean girl who wore designers who often asked what brand of socks I wore or bag I carried and once POINTEDLY POINTING AND laughing at the brand of bag I was carrying. She was rich but had no class. It was an awful experience and memory but it keeps me in check. Because people are important.  # Never look down on anyone. You'll find yourself to be in a rude awakening eventually because many people are not what they seem. # Never be rude! # Treat salespeople nicely! Be firm and smile especially when they become pushing. # Be very sensitive if you ever talk about money. Try to avoid it. # Always express gratitude and appreciation especially if the person has spent time on it. You can recover money but you can never recover time. # Stay calm, never be in a hurry and never rush others. # Think before you speak! # Pay attention to the person speaking to you or if you are at a wedding, event, give your attention to it. # Look into eye of the person talking to you. When you have excellent manners, it communicates who you are. I am convinced it makes you beautiful! Have you ever seen a sour face? Speak to the person and she responds with a bite! Speak to a smiley, warm face and you're likely to get a friendly response. It brings beauty out of a plain person indeed. |
