by Ginger Philbrick
A sweet friend who knows my penchant for anything about etiquette sent me an article, “21 Classy Etiquette Rules That Most People Forget.” Compiled by Mindspire, a private education and tutoring company in Durham, NC, it is perfectly in line with the writings of today’s etiquette professionals.
I must admit that it encourages me to polish my manners a bit. I have chosen 10 rules which I think are most often broken. They are:
• Rise when a guest or an elderly person enters the room.
• Maintain eye contact during handshakes.
• Ask about others before talking about yourself.
• Let others exit before you walk in.
• Send handwritten thank-you notes.
• Listen fully before speaking.
• Keep your phone off of the meal table.
• Wait until everyone is served before eating. That is, unless your hostess invites you to begin.
• Compliment someone’s character—or behavior—not just their looks.
• Remember names and actually use them.
There is one more point of etiquette that I would like to touch on. Say “my pleasure” instead of “no problem.” With immense respect for the popular chicken business that has brought the level of good manners up considerably by requiring its youthful staff to respond to a “thank you” by saying “my pleasure,” I want to suggest that we not forget the good old response, “you’re welcome.” It’s a favorite of mine.
Ginger Philbrick is the owner of Because You Are Polite LLC. You are invited to email your manners questions to her and she will respond as time and space allow. You may contact her at youarepolite1@gmail.com.
