Sue Currie

Niceties in the Noughties

Are manners and business etiquette still relevant in the 21st Century?

How relevant are manners in the modern age? Now I'm not just talking about basic table manners such as not eating with your mouth full - but what about some work place consideration?

We spend so much of our time with our colleagues at work, so it pays to get along. We may need to be aware of some of the little things that can get on others nerves and what we perhaps need to take note of. Here are a few business manners tips.

1. Say hello, smile and greet others warmly when you get to work. Take a minute to ask how their weekend was. We spend a lot of time in the workplace, often more than with our families so it makes sense to enjoy each other's company. Significant friendships and relationships begin at work.

2. Respect each other's personal space. Especially in an open plan situation where talking loudly or eating hot smelly food may be off-putting to your work colleagues. How does your desk look? Covered in papers or any kitsch paraphernalia?

3. Speaking of eating (one of my favourite pastimes) do you get to work and then decide to have breakfast at your desk and on the company's time? Why not arrive early and use the kitchen, which is what it's for, or better still breakfast at home.

4. Shared spaces - like the canteen and bathrooms. Do you make an effort to tidy up after yourself?

5. Another occasion when we're eating on the company's time might be at networking event. Do you spend all your time chasing around after the hors d'oeuvres or at the bar? That's not what you're there for. You're there to meet and mingle and build relationships

6. What would we do without our mobile phones? Well I'm sure we'd survive and find other ways of communicating. But what about when we are communicating and sharing time with a client or colleague - do we keep our phones switched off and give that person we're with 100% of our undivided attention? I've seen people at restaurants supposedly sharing time together yet both are talking on their mobile phones!

7. The greeting - do we kiss? Shake hands? Just nod and hope for the best? It is confusing but why not just shake hands with everyone you meet whether you are male or female and if in any doubt - please leave the kiss out.

These are just a few observations, but I think it is important to remember that "good manners means good business".

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