The basic intention of etiquette is convey your level of class and sophistication to others. It is to be a courteous individual to those around despite any situation. The preceding are guidelines and tips intended to help you successfully navigate yourself in our ever changing social environment. Remember you have no second chance to make a first impression.
Telephone
With today’s mobile phones we have the luxury to stay in touch almost everywhere we go, but there are a number of occasions when making or receiving phone calls are inappropriate. Such occasions are during mealtimes, chapter meetings, committee meetings, important social events, and especially during any portion of our ritual. If the phone call is extremely important than anyone needing to reach you surely would leave a voicemail.
When you do receive a voicemail, always try to return them that same day if possible or at least within 24 hours. Even if you do not have an answer to the caller’s question, it is still polite to call them back and say you will call them back when you do find the requested information.
Periodically check your voice mailbox to ensure that it is not full. This situation is counterproductive for both of you—you will have no up-to-date messages from those trying to reach you. You will lose some of you creditability and those trying to reach you will become frustrated.
Finally, when you are calling someone and someone other than the desired party answers, politely identify yourself and ask for the person with whom you would like to speak. You never know who is on the other line, so it’s important to treat them with the utmost respect.
Email Courtesy
As with voicemails, try to reply to email messages on the same day if possible, but within 24 hours at most. When replying to a question, copy the question into your email, and then provide your response—do not just send a bare message that only says, “Yes” or “No.” It’s too blunt and may confuse the reader.
Also email is an effect medium of communication and for that reason it should follow standard writing guidelines especially for professors and in the business world. It is never too late to become accustomed to using proper spelling and grammar in your messages.
Conversation
Effective one-on-one communication is a more important skill, especially when recruiting new members or speaking with dominant administrators on campus. However no matter where you are or with whom you are speaking, you will benefit from keeping these tips in mind.
Do not discuss personal issues such as religion, politics, or other powerful topics (abortion, racism, etc.); ethnicity, religion, or other jokes which demeans individuals or groups are in appropriate in every circumstance. Refrain from asking random women if they are married or their weight, however if a woman volunteers this information to you, you may be able to ask a few polite questions about her husband and/or children.
Topics of conversation that are welcomed include academic, job-related, personal interests, or appropriate compliments are always encouraged.
Shaking Hands
There is a lot more involved to a handshake than meets the common eye. To be honest, many people will perceive you by the mannerism and quality of your handshake. It is important to make a good hand shake; often times an interview or conversation will be indicative of the initial handshake. You do not have a second time to make a first impression.
For a good handshake you should keep your fingers together with the thumb up and open. Then slide you hand into the other person’s so that each person’s web of skin between thumb and forefingers touches the others’. Be sure to squeeze firmly, but not too firm for about three seconds, then “pump” your elbow once or twice. Then release you hand even though the introduction continues and keep eye contact with the other person.
When name tags are present, always wear your name tag on the right side of you chest. This way when you are introduced to someone, you are able to shake his or her hand as your eyes follow up their arm to their nametag. It is a lot easier to read someone’s nametag that is on the right side than the left side because you are not looking across his or her body.
You should always extend you hand for a handshake when meeting someone for the first time, greeting someone you have not seen for a while, greeting guests, saying good-bye to people at a gathering, or whenever someone else extends a hand.
