Importance of Etiquette
Etiquette is what elevates a typical day to one that is of beauty.
Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot”
– Clarence Thomas
It doesn’t need to be overwhelming or confusing because to put it simply, etiquette is a way to make the world a better place. They are silent (and not so silent) rules put in place to make others more comfortable and at ease, not to mention make yourself feel better as well.
What is the first requirement of good etiquette?
Having good manners and proper etiquette needs nothing more than mere common courtesy. The first requirement is to put others ahead of yourself. Elegance isn’t dead!
You can do this by being respectful and considerate. The idea is to make sure others are comfortable around you. Making the world better is a benefit of etiquette.
There is of course the more recognizable social rules that you might be more familiar with, such as saying please and thank you, holding the door open, and not yawning in someone’s face.
What are the rules of etiquette?
The rules of etiquette are a fluid set of rules that dictate what is considered normal in a social setting.
They are forever changing and evolving.
Social etiquette that was considered polite, is now seen as rude. Just imagine now a man ordering for a woman? Before it was almost mandatory. Now, a woman could be offended by the gesture.
Some Rules of Etiquette that are used daily…
- Be genuine.
Even if you are an amazing actress, your fake attitude can be spotted a mile away. It’s best to be who you are with everyone, regardless of who they are, try to never be rude.
- Be honest.
This is similar to being genuine, because if you lie too much not only will you soon forget who you lied to and what you lied about, but your reputation will forever be a liar. No one’s memory is that good, just be honest and be proud of who you are.
- Be empathetic
Always try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. This is a huge help, especially when dealing with strangers that are being less than nice with you. Having empathy forces you to look at the bigger picture and see that perhaps they are having a rough day. This helps you not feed into their anger but instead disperse it.
Is Etiquette the Same as Manners?
Although they are used together frequently, they aren’t the same thing.
Etiquette is your overall demeanor in social settings. How you handle different situations.
Manners are the simply how you react to other people.
For example, when you hold the door open for a stranger – that is considered manners. However, the way you welcome guests in your home is etiquette.
Types of Etiquette
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Basic Etiquette
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Common Courtesy
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Email Etiquette
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Funeral Etiquette
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Gym Etiquette
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Dining Etiquette
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Social Media Etiquette
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Airplane Etiquette
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Sick Etiquette
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Bar Etiquette
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Wedding Etiquette
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Office Etiquette
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Texting Etiquette
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Restaurant Etiquette
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Dating Etiquette
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Baby Shower Etiquette
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Uber Etiquette
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Tipping Etiquette
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Bridal Shower Etiquette
What is Universal Etiquette?
The most wonderful thing about etiquette is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” rule. In some countries, what is considered rude in North America is perfectly acceptable in China.
For example, slurping.
Slurping your soup or noodles is bad taste in the States, but in China it is normal and even polite!
What is General Etiquette?
The best rule of thumb for following etiquette, no matter where you are, is to be tuned in to the people around you. Remember the Golden rule when you were a child? This goes into play now!
When you treat others how you want to be treated, then you are practicing etiquette. If you consider how others will feel, then you are perfecting your etiquette.
General etiquette is basic etiquette that can be used at any time in your life. Imagine common courtesy and being polite had a baby, etiquette would be its name!