Have you ever heard the old phrase, mind your manners? Basic Etiquette rules are for everyone!
In the post, we review the ten most basic etiquette tips. So that you know, this is specific to the United States; some tips may transfer and be acceptable for Europe.
List of Basic Etiquette Rules
- Always say please and thank you
- Mind your conversations
- Properly Greet People
- Dress Appropriately
- Basic Dining Knowledge
- Hosting Basics
- Practice Communication
- Party Guest
- Tipping
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Keeping your word
1. Always say please and thank you
Whenever you request something from anyone, ask nicely and say please, especially if you are out on a date or in front of elders. No one has to do anything for you. When you get what you are asking for, say thank you. As women, we are made to receive, and by practicing the art of receiving, it is just as important to be thankful and forthcoming with gratitude.
2. Mind your conversations
Your conversational skills will be tested outside of the first impression and appearance. People will decide what box to put you in depending on what you talk about and put on. Conversations should be respectful and in an appropriate tone. Back in the day, my coach would always say, “Ladies should be seen and not heard.” I used to cringe at the saying. Being from the South, I now understand what she meant by that. Always use your voice, but you should only be heard after you are seen. Screaming and being loud in public places that do not call for rowdiness can show disrespect and immaturity.
3. Properly greet people
While greeting in the US, it is customary to shake someone’s hand and look them in the eye; if you meet someone in an informal setting, you may hug them. Since Covid, some of these practices have changed, but generally, that is the culture. Regarding the greeting order, if you are attending an event, the celebrant should be first, and the elders should follow.
4. Dress appropriately
Dress for how you want to be addressed but also dress for where you are going. Ive been pretty open on my podcast about my struggle with this. As a 20 something who resided in Atlanta, GA, my style was nothing short of mostly athletic wear and club clothing on the weekends. It was not until moving to the Nations capitol that I began to realize how important it is to invest in pieces that are timeless.
5. Basic Dining knowledge
I can write an entire post on dining etiquette alone because there are many aspects. In life you will experience three main types of dining when eating outside of the home. First, dining restaurants that are casual do not have table cloths nor linen napkins. You will typically have one set of silverware with plastic cups on the table.
Fine dining restaurants have linen napkins and usually change the colors throughout the day depending on the hour. You will often see wine glasses preset on the table along with water glassware. Silverware comes in sets and without diving tool deep in this post, you goals should be to use them from the outside in towards your plate as the courses switch.
6. Hosting Basics
When hosting an event it is customer to send invitations 2 weeks in advance for birthdays and regular celebrations. For more milestone celebrations like weddings, showers or celebrations where guest are traveling 6-12 weeks is standard.
After sending invitations, follow up with reminds and collect information regarding dietary restrictions and allergies. Food should be served if there is alcohol provided. Make sure to provide a description of what the event is for, the proper address, and any dress code restrictions.
While hosting events, it is customary to make sure guest are entertain and converse with all who are invited.
7. Practice Communication
Practice your communication skills by working on both intrapersonal communication and interpersonal skills. The ability to officially communicate with others will be help with business, relationships, and family. Communication is a lost art in this era and in order to be successful in almost any area, it is needed.
Communication starts with self. How you treat and communicate with yourself will translate to how you interact with other people.
8. Being a plus one
As a guest at a party, you have a responsibility to be mannerable and follow unspoken rules. As a guest, show up on time or most importantly with the person who got the original invitation. As a plus one it is not your place to ask to bring additional guest, show up tardy, not greet the celebrate/host.
Follow the event dress code and if it is in someones house, please stay where the event in located and only venture to the restrooms.
9. Tipping Appropriately
Whenever you receive a service, it is customary in the US to tip at least 18%. With the new inflation rates and added on charges since Covid there are grey areas.
Lately in 2023/2024 tipping options have been added to the POS systems of jobs who are not service based jobs. As a woman who has worked as a waitress and bartender all throughout college, it is okay to not tip at Starbucks. Restaurant employees in the US are typically paid around 2.15-4.00 usd per hour. The rely on tips to get paid and that is where you are suppose to tip 18-20%, if you receive bad service is is okay to leave 10%.
After covid, I have noticed places that have salary or hourly employees that are paid above or at minimum wage including tip options. For the employees this is great, but if you do not have it to give that is okay they are paid more than 2 dollars an hour.
Do not ever not tip
When it comes to hairstylist, nail techs, lash techs and any other service providers make sure to tip them.
10. Keeping your word
In this life we own nothing but our word. Keeping your word is the fastest way to gain respect ,trust and loyalty with others. In business, relationships and family being someone who has integrity and honor will never go out of style.
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