Hi, my name is Randy Hill and I am just one of thousands of people around the world, tired and frustrated with the lack of consideration that is displayed by a growing "demographic" that I call, "the great unwashed and ill-mannered." People who can't seem to get outside their little world long enough to see the stress that they create on the rest of the population.
Etiquette Avenue App Helps You Mind Your Manners
By Randy | July 2, 2009
Some folks need all the help they can get when it comes to good manners. From AppStore:
Etiquette Avenue is the address for the “operating rules” for today’s workplace and your business-related social events. On Etiquette Avenue, you will acquire the skills that you need in a competitive world. Whether it is correct introductions, how to hold a wine glass, or chair a meeting, we have you covered!
Topics: Cell Phone Etiquette, E-Mail Etiquette, Etiquette in History, Etiquette in Public Places, Gift Giving and Receiving, Health, Holiday Etiquette, Loud Talking, Products, Tipping, Travel Etiquette, Uncategorized, Workplace Manners | No Comments »
BlackBerry @ Work: The Decline of Manners
By Randy | June 27, 2009
I thought this was an interesting post from the New York Times online:
To the Editor:
I am an executive coach who is working with professionals who are trying to either keep their jobs or find new jobs in this difficult economy. You made some interesting observations in “At Meetings, It’s Mind Your BlackBerry or Mind Your Manners” (front page, June 22).
The practice of using a BlackBerry or other electronic device in business meetings is part of a larger issue — the loss of politeness and manners in a 24/7 business environment.
I was told by a client, who is a former board member of a large cosmetics company and now a venture capitalist, that she had decided to refuse to help fellow alumni from her prestigious university. When I asked why, she explained how over an 18-month period, she had gone out of her way to help six alumni network into new jobs. In response to all her efforts, not a single one took the time to thank her.
This is a glaring example of how politeness and manners seem to have gone the way of the dinosaurs.
American businesspeople who forget common rules of courtesy and politeness can completely destroy a business relationship overseas. For instance, Japanese and Italian business cultures will not tolerate the rudeness that is unfortunately pervading the American workplace.
Paul Bernard
New York, June 24, 2009
Topics: Cell Phone Etiquette, E-Mail Etiquette, Etiquette in Public Places, Workplace Manners | No Comments »
Manners in the office
By Randy | April 29, 2009
Thanks to livemint.com for this:
1. Greet people, especially lift men, security guards, canteen boys,
cleaners. A namaste or a Hi is necessary. A little small talk won’t do
any harm. A former colleague, raised in the U.S., never failed to do
small talk with lift and elevator operators.
2. Greet colleagues in corridors, near the coffee machine, near the
photo-copier with a smile and a quick Hi. A “How are you doing” can be
added.
3. Men: let ladies get out and into lifts and doors first. This is
important no matter what positon you are in the company. Hold doors
open. For an explanation of why, read the comments on the slide-show on
Obama. Men and ladies both: don’t get into lifts till all passengers
are out, even if you are in a great rush.
4. Desk mates, don’t creep into each other’s space. If your chairs
are close to each other, manoeuvre yours while getting up or sitting
down to avoid hitting your neighbour’s chair.
5. Don’t stare at colleagues’ computer screens or try to peek into their mail. It is intrusive.
6. Discussing the movie you watched yesterday while your desk mate is trying to beat a deadline is irritating.
7. My best interviews were those where editors walked me to the
office door, stepping outside their cabin to do so. It sends a very
strong message of sheer friendliness after a nerve-racking process.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places | No Comments »
The New Money Manners
By Randy | April 2, 2009
With the current recession, folks are learning a little bit about money manners - including how to give money to friends and family who are in need.
Giving money to friends and family in need can put a strain on the relationship. Here’s a great way to avoid that stress…
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
10 Basic Table Manners
By Randy | March 3, 2009
It never hurts to review some basic table manners. Here is a list from Lori Piper:
Chew with your mouth shut. We all know this; we have all heard it as well as said a multitude of times. Could it be because it is the simple most important table manner to execute?
2) Do not be overly loud or a chatter hog at the dinner table. If you feel a sneeze or cough coming, turn your head away from the table and cover your mouth.
3) When a serving dish is brought to the table, place the amount of food desired on your plate and pass to the right.
4) No playing at the table. One day a friend, her infant son and I met for lunch. I played ball with him across the table while she had gone to the buffet-you know to entertain him and keep him from CRYING as he was in the separation anxiety stage. I was engaging in play at the table and that was not a good example to promote! We joke about it now, as her son has wonderful manners, but she was adamant about manners being important enough to start in infancy.
5) Soup is not a noisy food. Eat it quietly and use the side of the spoon.
6) No elbows on the table. Mabel, Mabel if you are able, kindly remove your elbows from the table. How many times did my sister and I hear that while growing up? To our dismay, not near the number of times, we say it to our children.
7) No eating food with your fingers. It is a difficult one to learn because so many of children’s food are eaten with fingers. French fries, pizza, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, bread, tacos, etc. Another good reason to start feeding children healthier meals. (So did not happen in my home- finger foods are quick!)
Topics: Cell Phone Etiquette, Etiquette in Public Places | No Comments »
Parking lot rage is all the rage
By Randy | February 23, 2009
Whether you are trying to park your car at an airport or at the local grocery store, it seems that parking lot rage is, ahem, all the rage now.
I took a seldom but necessary trip to my local Walmart yesterday afternoon. I was cruising through the parking lot, at a slow clip and in no general hurry to park. A car parked up and to the right was backing out. There was another car heading toward me in opposite direction ready to take the other car’s place. I knew they were there first, but I was already moving and I intended to just pass by it in search of another space.
Meantime, the other car waiting to get its place rushed ahead of me within just a couple of feet of knocking off my bumper in an effort to beat me to it. Oh man, that was irritating. I parked my car, walked by the newly parked couple getting out of their car and shouted, “hey, I wasn’t going to rush you for the space.” The husband who was a passenger in the car his wife was driving just gave me a kind of sheepish look.
Chill people, chill.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Travel Etiquette | No Comments »
Manners Around The World
By Randy | February 11, 2009
In Europe, do not address people by there first names. Mr. and Mrs. are more commonly used.
Shaking hands is an important business ritual throughout Europe and Britain.
In most countries a handshake should be gentle. A firm handshake can show aggression.
In Asia, instead of a handshake a person will bow from the waist, and the person with the lower status bows more deeply.
In Italy and Russia, close friends will often greet each other with a kiss.
In Europe, men traditionally walk to the left of the ladies. They generally enter a restaurant ahead of the lady - to lead the way to the table.
In some countries, people feel comfortable standing closer to each other, when they are talking. It would be rude to back away. In other countries, like China and Japan, they want more distance between people.
In Holland, they always use utensils. Many Dutch even eat bread with a knife and fork!
In Sweden, you keep your voice down. Swedes are quiet people.
Americans like to whistle, when they are applauding, but in Europe it is known as a type of booing.
In Russia, whistling by women is unladylike.
In some parts of the Middle East, shaking your head “no” means “yes” and nodding your head “yes” means “no”.
In a number of countries, keep eye contact with the speaker is rude. They show respect by not looking straight at the person talking.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Travel Etiquette | No Comments »
Mind your manners when your friend or colleague gets laid off.
By Randy | February 3, 2009
Do you have a friend or colleague at work that has been laid off recently? What do you say without making matters worse? Read this…
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Workplace Manners | No Comments »
Manners Lowered Brit’s Chances of Survival on Titanic
By Randy | January 26, 2009
I found a great story on the folks who died during the sinking of the Titanic. Apparently, if you were British, you were polite and let women and children go on first while you waited patiently in line. If you were American, you elbowed you way on to the life raft.
Topics: Etiquette in Public Places, Travel Etiquette | No Comments »
Discussing Politics in the Workplace
By Randy | January 20, 2009
Did your guy win the Presidency? He didn’t? Before you go spouting off in the workplace about your political views, take a few hints from Entrepreneur.com:
- Foster skills for engaging differences. Politics is one topic that arouses strong feelings. But political discussions at work present opportunities to hear different views to which you might not otherwise be exposed, and to expand your perspective through open dialogue, if you believe you can learn from others.
- Consider the relationship when engaging in political conversations. To what extent does your style of interactions transcend “polite” discourse? What is your experience with each other in terms of debating different points of view?
- Focus on how you discuss the issues. Think about the way in which you voice your views. Talking about the issues can be stimulating and educational, but remember to respectfully disagree without name-calling.
- Be sensitive to power and positional dynamics. As an authority figure, consider the impact your point of view might have on others, i.e., how your conversation might be experienced as subtle–or not so subtle–pressure.
- Take time to reflect. Be willing to consider what the other person is saying and examine your own perspective, rather than just debate the certainty of your views.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »