Etiquette
To be successful in the social and business world, a person must use proper verbal etiquette. One
important aspect of verbal etiquette is a proper introduction. Every day we encounter people in a variety of
business and social situations. The way we meet and greet them creates lasting impressions and paves the
way for a productive encounter. Introductions project information. Besides the obvious elements of name,
title, and affiliation, an introduction conveys a level of respect and reflects how the person making the
introduction views the other person's status. Mastering the art of the introduction will help put you and the
people you are introducing at ease. Learning the basics - and they are not very difficult - is the first step.
How to Introduce Yourself
Whether you are into a new company, meeting, group or activity, introducing yourself becomes inevitable.
When it comes to introducing yourself to unknown faces, you should feel comfortable and confident in
doing so. In addition, you should demonstrate friendliness, so that the people are at ease in interacting
with you. You should be watchful as well, because any wrong gesture will be quickly picked up by people
and they might even pass judgments about you, by considering the way you present yourself at the first
meeting. If you want to know how to introduce yourself by the best way, go through the following lines.
Introducing Yourself
· Look into the eyes of the person, to whom you are going to introduce yourself. Make a brief eye
contact. This shows your confidence.
· During self-introduction, you should not forget to wear a pleasant smile on your face. This gesture will
put the other person at ease. In addition, this will create a good first impression about you.
· Extend a warm, friendly and firm handshake. Wear a sweet smile while shaking your hands with him/
her. Gently squeeze the person's hand with your fingers. Make sure that you do not apply force with
your thumb. A good handshake will demonstrate your self confidence.
· Now, say your name clearly, in a gentle and audible manner. If the person doesn't get your name, be
sure to spell it again. Ask for their name as well and repeat it, when he/she says it.
· Avoid introducing yourself by your nickname. During formal meetings, it is always suggested to
introduce yourself by both your first and last names.
· Do not introduce yourself with titles, such as Mr. or Mrs. You may tell your nickname later on, when
you strike up a conversation with him/her.
How to Introduce People
Introducing people to others is a simple gesture often done most gracelessly, by many of us. We often
forget the fact that introducing people to each other is not just a matter of announcing their respective
names, but a lot more than that. By introducing your friends, family or anyone else in your acquaintance
to others, you are actually building up a rapport for yourself, regarding your capability to socialize and
build your social network. Whether you are introducing your family members to your guests or getting
two people acquainted in a business meeting, you need to do it in the most polite manner. If you are still
unclear about the whole thing, then read the article and learn how to introduce people.
Ways of Introducing People
· At a formal event, such as a business meeting, formal lunch/dinner, when you are introducing people,
you need to make use of the first and last names of the individuals you are introducing. A nice way to
introduce people during formal events is to define their professional position. For instance, you can
say, ' Ted, this is Anna Stevens, Assistant Manager of XYZ Company. Anna, this is Ted Lawson, HR
Executive of ABC Corporation.'
· In case you are introducing someone with a title, say, Doctor, be sure to include that also. For
example, you can say, 'Mr. Stewart, I would like you to meet Dr. Richard Gayle.'
· In case of an informal meeting, you may introduce people to one another by using their first name.
However, in certain cases, such as your spouse, it is better to make use of the last name as well,
particularly when he/she has a different last name.
· If the person you are introducing has a specific relationship with you, then make it clear to others, by
adding a phrase, say, 'my wife', 'my sister', in your conversation.
· A flawless introduction doesn't merely mean informing each party their respective names. Providing a
brief background to each party is a good idea, because it promotes interactions in the future.
· In case the individuals you are introducing have similar interests, you can include that in the
introduction as well. For instance, you can say, ' David, meet Richard. Like you, he is also interested
in stamp collection.'
· You can highlight the talents of the person or an interesting fact related to him/her, while introducing
him/her to others. For example, you can say, 'Sam, I would like you to meet Elma, who is a fantastic
painter.'
· While introducing a person to a group of people, introduce him/her to the group first, and then the
group to the individual. For instance, you may say, 'Emily, meet Martha, David and Anthony, my
school mates. Everyone, this is Emily.'
Tips
· Never introduce people in a tense situation. Make sure that you set a cordial and happy atmosphere,
while introducing them to each other.
· In case both the parties are interested in striking up a conversation with each other, assist the newly
acquainted people to carry on a smooth and congenial talk.
· Be confident about yourself and about the person you are introducing to people. This would show your
cordiality, while socializing.
How to address others
Another important aspect of verbal etiquette is the way in which people address others in a social and
business setting. Once introduced, improperly addressing superiors, colleagues, customers and clients, or
subordinates at future meetings may create tension and will create a negative impression. Generally, it is
appropriate to address subordinates and others with whom an informal relationship has been established
by their first name. In formal relationships, or when the relationship status is unknown, it is necessary to
refer to the individual using the appropriate gender-specific title. When gender-specific titles are
necessary, use Mister (Mr.) to address men, Misses (Mrs.) to address married women, and Miss (Ms.) to
address women who are single or whose marital status is unknown. Following are more specific rules for
addressing others in business settings:
· Superiors: Always address superiors with the appropriate gender-specific title, unless he/she gives
express permission to do otherwise.
· Colleagues: It is generally accepted procedure to address colleagues by first name. Exceptions arise
when the relationship is formal or unfamiliar.
· Subordinates: If the superior has established an informal relationship with the subordinate, use of first
names is appropriate. If the relationship is formal or unfamiliar, the appropriate gender-specific title is
necessary.
· Clients and Customers: Most relationships with clients or customers are formal, dictating appropriate
gender-specific titles. Occasionally, though, an amiable relationship has been established and would
allow the use of first names.
How to Shake Hands
In majority of the countries, handshake comes across as the most common form of greeting someone.
Unknown to many people, the way they shake hands with a person speaks volumes about their
personality. In fact, it lays the basis of establishing your first impression on the other person. If you
hesitate in bringing your hand forward, be it because it is greasy, sweaty or otherwise not-presentable, it
gives out a negative impression. On the other hand, a forthcoming hand is always considered to be a
symbol of friendship, accessibility and reliability. At the same time, it helps you make an initial
connection with another person. In order to help you present the best hand forward, we have detailed the
complete procedure on how to shake hands, in the lines below.
Shaking Hands with Someone
· As the first step in shaking hands with someone, you will be required to extend your right hand
forward, in order to meet the other's person right hand. While doing this, make sure that your thumb
points upward, toward the other person's arm.
· While extending your hands towards the other person, you also need to keep in mind the angel of your
hand. Remember, your hand should be parallel to the hand of the other person, while being
perpendicular to the floor. This will make sure that you send across a message of equality.
· You need to maintain eye contact through the entire procedure of shaking hands. If you do not look
into the eyes of the other person, as you shake hands with him/ her, it will come across as a sign of
insincerity or even slyness. So, do not hesitate from meeting his/her eyes.
· As your thumb joints come together, wrap your hand around the other person's. Now, you need to take
notice of how much firmness is required in the handshake. Squeezing too hard means that you are
trying too hard, while putting no pressure at all also proves to be a turn-off.
· Finally, comes the pumping part! Commonly, the number of pumps is two. However, you can keep the
outers limits as one and three. The main aim behind pumping is to convey a sense of warmth to the
other person. You can also pat the person's hand with your free hand, if it seems okay.
Some Tips
· Your hand should always be parallel to the hand of the other person. If you put your palm on top, it
will tantamount to showing your dominance. On the other hand, having your hand face up will be
regarded as a submissive pose.
· While squeezing the hand of the other person, a lot of factors need to be taken into consideration, such
as the person's age, gender, and the like. For instance, in case of old age people or women, the hand
shake will be a little less firm than young men.
· Just like with everything else, in case of shaking hands also, you will have to practice a lot. Try
different handshakes with your friends or family members. Depending upon their feedback, evolve a
style that suits your personality the best.
How to Dress For Office
Dressing up for office has never been an easy task for majority of the working people. On top of that, if it
is their first job, you can be sure that their dilemma knows no bounds. They want to look stylish, yet carry
an air of professionalism around them. However, most of them tend to forget that their overall work
environment plays a great role in deciding the dress code that will be perfect for office. Are you one of
those people who often find themselves wondering how to dress for office? If yes, then go through the tips
given below and solve the dilemma in no time at all!
Office Dressing Tips
Look Around
Before you decide how to dress up for the office, it is very necessary to observe the people around you, as
in your colleagues, seniors, and so on. This will get you an idea as to how formal or casual the whole
atmosphere is. For instance, if you see the boss wearing jeans and sneakers to office, on a daily basis,
there is no reason to assume that he would want others to look extremely formal, unless the same has been
specified by the HR people. However, if most of the people in office are seen in formals, there is no
reason for you to adopt casual dress code.
Don't Take Extra Liberties
Always stick to the dress code that is usually followed in your office and try not to take extra liberties. For
instance, if you have business casuals as the office dress code, do not end up wearing t-shirts, faded jeans
and running shoes, on your own whim. Yet another mistake that most of the people make is to stretch the
casual look too far. If your office allows jeans to work, do not end up wearing slashed capris, shorts or flip
flops. You are expected to maintain certain decency while dressing up casually also.
Ensure Your Comfort
While dressing up for office, one of the basic tips that you need to keep in mind is that you are going there
to work and unless and until you are comfortable in the clothes you are wearing, you will not be able to
give your 100 percent. For instance, if your job involves standing for long hours, you need to make sure
that your shoes not only look good, but are comfortable as well. In fact, you should never ever
compromise comfort for the sake of good looks. The best deal would be to strike a balance between style
and comfort.
Get A Proper Haircut
Whether you are a man or a woman, it is very necessary to wear your hair in the proper way, when in
office. In this context, getting a proper haircut is essential. Men should opt for a short and sleek haircut,
which gives them a professional look and does not seem as if they have just come back from a modeling
shoot. On the other hand, women should get a haircut that they can tie in the form of a simple hairdo, bun
or ponytail. Your hair should not be loose and all over the place, rather styled properly.
Some More Tips
· When picking clothes for office wear, remember to opt for subtle shades. Garish colors and office look
do not gel well at all.
· Women should not apply heavy makeup while going to office. In fact, the use of makeup, hair spray
and perfume should be toned down.
· Before leaving for office, check in the mirror to make sure that you are well groomed. Nobody takes a
shabbily dressed person seriously.
Telephone Etiquette Tips
Although telephone has become one of the necessities of everyday life, people often forget about the
etiquettes that need to be followed while making and receiving calls. It is very important to take care of
the surroundings, while talking on the telephone, because your conversation might be disturbing, or
simply annoying, to the people around you. Telephone etiquette tips not only apply to business calls,
following it is also vital if you are talking to your close friends or acquaintances. Go through the following
lines and check out the telephone etiquette tips given below.
Common Phone Etiquettes
· Do not talk loudly on the phone, especially when you are in a public place. Your words should be
audible only to the person on the phone, and not those around you.
· Either switch-off or put your phone on a silent mode, when you are in a cinema hall, library, hospital,
religious places or other restricted areas, where phone calls are not allowed.
· When you are at a business meeting, it is better to put your phone on silent mode.
· If you get a call in a meeting, disconnect the phone and call the person after the meeting is over. If the
call is urgent, go outside the room and talk.
· When you are at your workplace, it is suggested to receive and make calls only during breaks. If it is
an important call, you may either decrease your volume or answer the call after leaving your desk.
· Do not play loud ring tones at the work or public places. The ring tone may be your favorite, but its
loud sound might annoy others around you.
· Talk in a polite, cool and friendly tone, when you are on the phone.
· Never interrupt a person when he/she is speaking on the phone.
· It is always nice to answer business calls with a greeting. Say "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening",
your name, and then proceed.
· While attending a business phone, you should be legible - speak slowly and clearly. Speak with
confidence, so that the person on the other side has the feeling that you know what you are doing.
· While talking on the phone, make sure that you speak quite clearly. Speaking clearly reduces the need
to repeat your words time and again.
· Avoid eating chewing gum or munching anything else, when you are talking to a person on the phone.
It makes hard for the other party to understand what you are saying. It may also annoy the person, as
nobody would like to hear eating noises on the phone.
· Wrong numbers should be dealt with decently. People often lose their temper, when they receive
wrong calls. In such a situation, you should tell the person on the other side, that he/she has dialed a
wrong number, in a pleasant manner.
· It is considered impolite to hang up without saying goodbye. Unless the person on the other end is
being rude or abusive, it is always right to end the call with a greeting - a simple bye!
· Never be rude to a caller, even if he/she uses abusive words. In this case, you should disconnect the
call wisely. Say something like, "I am sorry, I have to end up the call now", and then hang up.
· Whether he/she is your friend, acquaintance, business partner or workplace colleague, you should
consider the time of calling a person. Unless it's very urgent, do not disturb a person when he/she is
busy.
· You should be considerate enough not to call a person during the peak working hours.
· Do not put a caller on hold for a long time. If you have to, be sure to check back within few minutes,
as to whether he/she would like to continue to be on hold or not.
Dinning Etiquettes
Indian Table Manners
Eating in an Indian society can be a good experience if you know some of its popular table manners,
which might appear strange but have their own significance. Like any other country, India also has some
do’s and don’t that one should follow while eating in a social group and one insignificant mistake can
make you feel embarrassed or label you as unmannerly and discourteous. To avert any such situation,
scroll down and find ABC of the eating manners in India.
Table Manners & Etiquettes in India
· Traditionally, Indian food is served on a rug on the floor and people are supposed to sit in a circle. In
case you are using a table, let the eldest person sit first. The host is supposed to sit in a direction from
where he can see everyone around him.
· When everyone is seated, wait for the food to be served. You should not chatter unnecessarily with the
people around you.
· Indian tradition does not emphasize on the use of cutlery which are considered to be a part of western
culture, such as fork and knife. Indian food such as curries and gravies are enjoyed best when eaten
with hands.
· Wash hands properly before starting as much of the food is eaten with hands, even if you are using
basic cutleries such as spoon and fork.
· Wait for the eldest to start first. Even if you are starving don’t attack the food or east hastily. It is
considered disrespectful and a bad manner.
· You are not expected to use your left hand while eating. Even breads and chapattis are broken into
pieces using the right hand alone. But you are supposed to transfer food from the common plate using
your clean left hand.
· In north India it is not acceptable to stain your hands with gravies or curries, only fingertips it used to
pick and gather food. However, in south India, you can take liberty to dip your hand up to your palms.
· Don’t flood your plate with food. You don’t have to taste each and every dish served. Finish your
whole food before asking for more. Wasting food is considered disrespect to the host and the food.
· Once you have finished your food, don’t leave the table until the host asks you to. If you have to leave
the table, ask for the permission from the people before leaving.
· Don’t wash your hands in your plate or on the bay leaf and you are not expected to close the bay leafif
you are in south India. Use a finger bowl (lemon and water) to wash your greasy hands.
· You are expected to say polite terms like ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ as a courtesy towards your host.
Restaurant Etiquette and Manners
When the renowned author Evelyn Waugh said that “Manners are especially the need of the plain, the
pretty can get away with anything”, he must have not have table manners in mind. In today’s world, if
you’re lacking in the basic table etiquettes, you may well be belonging to the Stone Age. Being a
fundamental aspect of social life, such manners go a long way in ensuring your success in the outside
world. Following proper table manners and etiquettes gives an impression about the sincerity and maturity
of a person. And nowhere are manners more important than when you are in public, especially at a
restaurant. Let us learn more about restaurant etiquette and manners.
Restaurant Table Manners and Tips
Don’t Talk Loudly
You may be a part of a fun group, but when you are sitting in a restaurant, it is advisable not to talk loudly
and disturb others. You should also turn off your mobile phones or at least, put it in the silent mode.
Respect The Waiter
The waiters are doing an important job, serving people like you, so never ever try to demean them. Thank
the waiter for bringing the food. This will not only show that you’re courteous, but also ensure you better
service.
Sit Straight
Most of the people don’t know the right posture of sitting in a public place. Although it may be allowed at
home, slouching at the table is a definite sign of ill-manner when you are at a restaurant.
Be Patient
Don’t start gobbling your food even before all the items have arrived. Wait patiently, until everything
arrives. Now, unfold the napkin and keep it in your lap. Start serving yourself, taking everything in a small
quantity, and pass the food from left to right.
Don’t Chew With Your Mouth Open
Chewing with your mouth open is one of the things that should be avoided even at home, but at the
restaurant, it’s an offence. Always keep your mouth closed while chewing the food. Nobody wants to see
the half-eaten food in your mouth.
Don’t Talk With Food In Your Mouth
If you’re in a habit of talking while eating, wait until you finish the bite that is in your mouth. Talking
with your mouth full is not only gross, but sometimes also makes the food come out with the words and
spread on the person you’re talking to.
Don’t Blow On The Food
If the food is hot, don’t blow on it, to make it cool down. It is considered bad manners. Rather, in that
case, you should wait for a few minutes, to let it cool down, and then only start eating.
No Sound While Eating
Making sounds while eating the food may seem an extra pleasure to you, but it can very well kill the
appetite of the people around you. Remember, you’re not a cow and the delicious food is not your cud.
Eat in Small Bites & Slowly
Always take your food in small bites and chew it slowly. Don’t fill your mouth with food and then try to
swallow it down, even if you’re in a hurry. It’s not only considered a bad habit, but is also not good for
health.
Don’t Lick Your Fingers
The food may be scrumptious, but you don’t need to lick your fingers after you’re done eating, to prove
that. You may want to show that the food was mouth-watering, but there are other ways of doing it.
Don’t Burp or Belch Loudly
Even the mention of burping or belchingis enough for some people to be put off food. If you get the urge
to burp, excuse yourself, head for the wash room and only then allow yourself the liberty of doing so.
No Toothpick At Table
Never use toothpick at a restaurant. If you feel that something is stuck in your mouth, you might as well
use floss. It’s true that green salad stuck in your teeth is not a good sight, but better head for the loo to get it out, rather than using a toothpick right there.
Thank The Chef For His Cooking
Before heading out of the restaurant, don’t forget to thank the chef for his great food, if you have really enjoyed it. It’s only fair that the chef gets his due credit. And by thanking him/her, you will ensure a great service for your next rendezvous too.