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tips4me.com - social etiquette | SOCIAL ETIQUETTE |  | | ETIQUETTE RULES FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES |  |
Most people are aware of the basic rules of etiquette and courtesy like ‘ladies first’, holding doors open for women and never putting elbows on the table. However, etiquette takes on a whole new meaning when dealing with people from different cultures and countries. Etiquette rules differ from country to country and it is necessary to be aware of these especially in today’s global village where we constantly meet and interact with foreigners online and at work. Read on for some interesting cultural differences you need to know!
| The thumbs up signal is typically used to mean ‘everything’s ok’. While this may be true for most countries, if you’re ever travelling in Latin America, especially Brazil, remember that this can be perceived as a rude sexual signal! | | While laughter can typically be a sign of happiness or amusement, in Japan it may be perceived as a sign of embarrassment or discomfort. | | While a ‘compromise’ can be a positive thing in Commonwealth countries (a consensus between two parties), in North America the word usually has a negative connotation (both parties lose something). | | In Africa, where weight isn’t really an issue, it can be a compliment to tell a woman she has gained weight, indicating she is in better health. As we know, in other countries, this is quite an insult! | | African youngsters would usually avoid eye contact with their elders when talking to them as a sign of respect. In North America and some other nations, this is usually seen as a sign of guilt or shame. | The best way to ensure you don’t inadvertently offend someone of another culture is to not take anything for granted and follow others’ lead! Be sensitive to these differences and you will be a true global citizen.
| | ESSENTIAL GUIDELINES FOR SMOKERS | |
Some people find it disgusting, while for others there’s no better way to unwind or de-stress. Smoking is a habit that most people feel passionately about – they either love it or loathe it – there are no in-betweens. If you’re a smoker, here are some etiquette tips that won’t get you ostracised in your office or friend circle!
| 1) | Walk away: When in a group of people, the non-smokers may not appreciate you lighting up in their faces. Remember, second-hand smoke is more harmful than what you’re inhaling – so spare their health too! Try to step away from the group and establish some distance between yourself and the others. Chances are, the smokers in the group will join you and you can start a group of your own! | | 2) | One-on-one: When having a meal or a chat with one other person, ask if they’re comfortable with you smoking, before you light up. Chances are, even if smoke bothers them, they will appreciate your concern and give you the go ahead. | | 3) | Distance: Remember to hold your cigarette away from others, so the smoke isn’t blowing in their direction. And never, ever exhale right in their faces – always turn your face away. | | 4) | Be stink-free: If you work or live with non-smokers, ask the people sharing your space if they mind the smell of smoke that lingers on you long after you’re done lighting up. If you just can’t desist, use deodorant lavishly! | | 5) | Don’t litter: Never smoke and throw the butt wherever you are. Extinguish the butt on the sole of your shoe to avoid leaving those unseemly black stains on walls and steps. Hang on to the butt until you find a trash can. | | 6) | Bad breath: There’s nothing more putting off for a non-smoker than smoker’s breath! When entering a meeting or date or even just meeting smoke-free friends, rinse your mouth or use a mouth freshening spray when on the go. | | 7) | Well-meaning strangers: Even when you’ve followed all the rules, you might offend one of those militant non-smokers who will make it a point to walk up to you and ask you why you’re indulging in this ‘disgusting’ and ‘dangerous’ habit. Surely, unless you’ve been living on Mars, you know how dangerous smoking is for you. Don’t snap -- be polite, smile and thank them for the concern.
| | | ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT THE SUPERMARKET | |
If you’re seeking a pleasant shopping experience at the Supermarket all you have to do is bear in mind certain basic etiquette tips. Follow these and you’ll create a satisfying shopping experience for yourself and your fellow shoppers.
| 1) | Never abandon your cart to look for items further down the aisle. | | 2) | Keep the cart in front of you at all times. If you are looking for items on the left side of the aisle, you must remain on the left side of the aisle (not the center and not the right side). | | 3) | Never lose your temper at elderly people, disabled people, or children. When dealing with these fellow shoppers maintain the utmost respect and exercise a great deal of patience. | | 4) | Do not bring your children to the store if they do not know how to behave appropriately in public or if you are unable to effectively control their behaviour. | | 5) | Refrain from giving the right-away to shoppers in the main aisle. When you come to the end of aisle three, stop, look both ways, and, if there is no oncoming traffic, proceed in an orderly fashion. | | 6) | When you are through checking out, take your cart with you, and don’t leave it there for the person behind you to push out of the way. | | | | | | IMPORTANT ETIQUETTE GUIDELINES FOR AIR TRAVELERS | | |
If you’re seeking a pleasant experience while flying there are certain guidelines you need to follow. Be mindful of your airport manners and lead by example to enjoy a smooth, hassle free flight.
Here are 9 essential rules for appropriate behaviour at the airport and during flights.
1. Be prepared to go through security
Don’t wait until you are on top of the conveyer belt to start to get ready. If you have a laptop, take it out of the case and put it in a separate bin. Put some identification on the top of your laptop. Move away as quickly as possibly from the conveyor when your items come off. Allow the people behind you the space and easy access to collect their items. Hopefully they will move along quickly also.
2. Boarding the Plane
Get to your seat and move in. Do not block the aisle, and do not stop to put your luggage above Remember to share. The foot space under your seat in front of you is yours, but the overhead is a shared communal area.
3. Mind your phone manners
Turn your phone off when asked by the flight attendants. Do not scream when you are allowed to use them. Everyone throughout the plane does not need to know the details of your phone conversation. Be considerate of the people around you.
4. Be conscious when using a laptop
Remember they do make noise. It can be annoying if you use your laptop or play noisy games. There is a sound control and laptops do vibrate and could bounce the seat in front of you. Children need games and toys to keep them content during the flight, but do not make them the noisiest ones they own. Nice quiet games and toys work too.
5. If you must recline…
When you hear those announcements that you are free to recline your seats and use your snack trays, just be gentle. You do not want to bounce around the person in front of you by quickly moving those trays up and down. Nor do you need to recline so fast or far that it is a tremendous inconvenience to the person behind you.
6. Be aware of those around you
When you get out of your seat during the flight, use your armrest to push yourself up or to get back into your seat. Do not grab the back of the seat in front of you. When you use the back of their seat, you are pulling them back, possibly waking them up from a nap and even grabbing their hair.
7. Watch Those Bags on Your Shoulder
When you are moving back the aisle getting on the plane, watch those bags you are carrying on your shoulder. They can be painful when you swing or turn and hit the person as you go by. If you duck quickly, you might just miss the flying bag. Stay alert and prepared to move quickly when one is coming your direction.
8. Remember the overhead bins are shared space
You do not have to run up and down the aisles assisting people trying to put their bags in the overhead compartments. But, if you are right there, help them out. It moves things along.
9. Wait Your Turn
When it is time to exit the plane, wait your turn. Do not come rushing and pushing from the back to get a few people ahead. Go seat-by-seat, row-by-row.
| | INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS | | |
First and foremost you must remember that people with disabilities are individuals – they may be your friends, your co-workers, your neighbours. When dealing with people who use wheelchairs you must know that they might have different disabilities and varying abilities. Some can use their arms and hands. Some can get out of their wheelchairs and even walk for short distances.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind when interacting with people who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments -
• Wheelchair users are people, not equipment. Don't lean over someone in a wheelchair to shake another person's hand or ask a wheelchair user to hold coats. Setting your drink on the desktop attached to someone's wheelchair is a definite no-no.
• Don't push or touch a person's wheelchair; it's part of her personal space. If you help someone down a curb without waiting for instructions, you may dump him or her out of the chair. You may detach the chair's parts if you lift it by the handles or the footrest.
• Keep the ramps and wheelchair-accessible doors to your building unlocked and unblocked.
• Be aware of a wheelchair users' reach limits. Place as many items as possible within their grasp. Make sure that there is a clear path of travel to shelves and display racks.
• When talking to a wheelchair user, grab your own chair and sit at his or her level. If that's not possible, stand at a slight distance, so that he/she isn't straining her neck to make eye contact with you.
• If your building has different routes through it, be sure that signs direct wheelchair users to the most accessible ways around the facility. People who walk with a cane or crutches also need to know the easiest was to get around a place, but stairs may be easier for them than a ramp. Ensure that security guards and receptionists at your business can answer questions about the most accessible way around the building.
• People who use canes or crutches need their arms to balance themselves, so never grab them. Mobility-impaired people may lean on a door for support as they open it. Pushing them or quickly opening the door may cause them to fall. Even pulling out or pushing in a chair may present a problem. Always ask before offering help.
• If you offer a seat to a mobility-impaired person, keep in mind that chairs with arms are easier for some people to use.
• Falls are a big problem for people with mobility impairments. Be sure to set out adequate warning signs after washing floors. Also put out mats on rainy or snowy days to keep the floors as dry as possible. (Make sure they don't bunch up and make the floor impassable for wheelchair users.)
• People who are not visibly mobility impaired may have needs related to their mobility. For example, a person with a respiratory or heart condition may have trouble walking long distances or walking quickly.
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