7 Basic Etiquette Rules Most Of Us Are Guilty Of Breaking

Sep 24, 2018

During previous eras, different regions of the world usually followed distinctive rules of etiquette determined by longstanding traditions. Today, as technology has reduced barriers separating people, some innovative rules of conduct have emerged to gain virtually universal acceptance. Have you discovered yourself or a friend breaking any of these seven new worldwide standards for polite social interactions?

If you've ever considered annoying lapses of manners by other people in social situations, you'll probably empathize with the etiquette experts who established two groundbreaking rules for the modern age. As you might anticipate, both guidelines apply to important considerations in a high tech society: mobile phones and omnipresent pets.

With respect to mobile phone etiquette, never, ever conduct a cell phone conversation while waiting in line. If you become engrossed in the discussion, you'll likely miss your turn to inch forward. This situation inconveniences everyone in the queue. Don't aggravate your peers in this way. Instead, defer your cell phone conversation for a more appropriate venue.

Around the world, animal lovers in the Infomation Age frequently travel with a beloved pet in tow. While you should enjoy taking Fido to the dog park, he won't receive a favorable welcome from most grocery shoppers or restaurant patrons. It makes sense to use good judgment in selecting settings for any excursions you plan to take with dogs, cats, or pet boas.

Hard on the heels of the Big Two mentioned above, people today face humongous manners challenges concerning handbags. This category proves so extensive in fact, it sometimes helps to remember these rules in two parts. Purses in general and purses in bistros both involve quite a few etiquette standards for netizens young and old.

Category I: General Guidelines

As a general matter, manners experts advise men to refrain from carrying a lady's purse. Take her heavy grocery bags to the car for her instead. You'll wind up on the winning side of the good manners debate. Additionally, remember to always keep your right arm and right hand free to greet friends. For this reason, stylish Millenials carry handbags, book bags, and laptop carriers either in the left hand or slung casually over the left shoulder. It leaves the (statistically) more dominant arm free to communicate.

Category II: Dining Out

If you carry a purse with you into a restaurant, where should you put it? The weight of good manners today still urges restraint in placing this precious item on the floor or the table. Instead, either hang the purse on an available under-table hook, or, if you must, sling your purse over the left arm of your chair. Why? Placing the purse at your feet risks entangling other diners. Yet putting it on the table, proves unsanitary and consumes limited utensil and plate space.

Party invitations involve two frequent situations where good manners count. If you receive an RSVP request, your host needs to know with assurance whether or not you'll attend. It may prove important to reply by a certain deadline. Many formal dinners, including weddings and anniversary parties, fall into the RSVP category.

Suppose your host sends a "regrets only" invitation? In this circumstance, the host plans to include you as a guest unless you specifically indicate you cannot attend. Answer the request as soon as possible.

Have you ever contemplated attending a social event, and then wondered how to dress for the occasion? Pay attention to invitations carefully. These descriptions give attire clues:

Formal Wear: Men embrace dark shoes and tuxedos (or suits). Women require high heels and skirts.

Business Wear: Emphasize good hygiene. You'll make a great impression!

Campus or Business Casual: Today this cachet covers many styles. Manners gurus suggest adopting the most conservative spin on this description. You'll always impress future (or current) employers.

Casual Attire: No stated rules apply here. Check with others invited to the event. Then, imitate them.

At busy public events, polite people exercise care reaching seats located at the interior of a full row of chairs or benches. They should face seated people while filing past. Members of the audience should rise to let latecomers proceed easily.

For centuries, a large body of etiquette centered around dining. People love sharing a meal with others. Yet these situations frequently cause intense confusion about small matters of civility.

Many long-established dinner table rules still pertain. Notify a host in advance if allergies prevent you from consuming certain dishes. Millenials utilize forks located on the outside of a place-set first. When finishing a meal, they position cloth napkins on the table and forks on their plate.

Finally, etiquette at fitness centers counts, too. After lifting weights, re-setting the machine to the lowest level considers others. Similarly, people appreciate an exerciser who considerately wipes sweat from equipment after use. If you plan on attending a class, slip into an available remaining space instead of expecting other participants to relocate for you.

Which of these annoys you the most and why? Let us know in the comments section below!