Even those of us with the best intentions occasionally commit inadvertent acts of bad manners, making it important to stay on our toes and set a good example.
Soup Scoop
When eating soup, either in a public setting or while seated at the family dinner table, the rule is to scoop the soup into the spoon away from you; yes, it’s a small thing, but one that betrays less-than-stellar manners. Another dining faux pas that isn’t well-known but is easy to avoid is neglecting to fold and place your napkin on the left side of the plate at the completion of the meal.Be Social
Whether attending a company function or a backyard barbeque, when people you know come over to say hello and you’re with a person they don’t know, make a point of quickly introducing them to each other. Not doing so and then launching into an animated conversation with the newly arrived person is incredibly rude. Also, make eye contact with those around you to bolster the connection.Be Equitable
If you and your friends or co-workers have a custom of taking turns picking up the check for lunch or evenings out, make sure to grab the check when it’s your turn to do so. Stepping away from the table to use the restroom just before the check arrives, or making no effort to reach for it in the hopes someone else will, sends the quite-possibly correct signal that you’re a cheapskate.Let Them Speak
Allow others to complete what they’re saying without interrupting them. Hold your thoughts until the other person has finished talking. However, be careful to not blurt out your comments the moment the other person pauses. Instead, when they’ve made their statement, begin by first addressing what they just said or asked. Resist the urge to constantly correct or downplay what others may say. Even if you’re right, that’s rude behavior.Hold That Thought
Taking or making a call in a restaurant, an elevator, or in an office setting where doing so can disturb others shows a complete lack of respect for those around you. The same can be said for those who feel the need to continue talking when a waiter or retail clerk approaches to provide service. This rule also applies in a work setting when another co-worker sticks their head into your office to ask a question.
