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St. Patrick’s Day Etiquette

14 Mar 2013 By: Diane Gottsman

Is there such a thing? Of course there is – there is an etiquette to everything, and a big part of it is simply behaving in a manner that allows others to be comfortable around you. Many of us look for opportunities to celebrate special holidays any day of the year. This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday (March 17th); for some, this is still a work day, and the show must go on. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to St. Patrick’s Day Etiquette and celebrating in a festive manner while conducting business as usual in the workplace:

  • Do wear a little green. Just make sure it’s in a visible area so you don’t have to keep taking off your sweater to prove that the inside tag of your sweater is green. It’s a distracting and passive aggressive way to show your Irish spirit.
  • Don’t even think about pinching someone who decided to skip the green tradition. Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day may be fun for some, but others may look sickly in the color, and prefer a vibrant pink dress or conservative blue suit. Adding green to a business wardrobe can be tricky at best – skip the green shoes!
  • Do have a special office luncheon. It would make me very happy if someone in my office offered to cook corned beef and cabbage and bring it in for all of us to enjoy.  Hint, hint, hint. But, a potluck lunch with a variety of Irish dishes would be a fun way to celebrate the day and a good team building exercise.
  • Don’t over decorate. One small item in your office or on your body is ample.
  • Do take your client, neighbor, or friends some of your famous shamrock sugar cookies. Who has time to bake? Call ahead and order some cookies from your local bakery and let your best clients know you are appreciative of their support. Do the same for the neighbors who bring your paper in and tolerate your barking dog while you leave extra early to yoga class before work. Deliver the treats on Friday if you or your clients won’t be working on Sunday.
  • Don’t wear green nails to work. By all means, go all out on Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, but on Friday you are still meeting and greeting clients and vendors. Keep your nails groomed spectacularly but don’t make them a focal point of conversation.
  • Don’t assume you will make a positive impression if you show up to a meeting wearing a leprechaun hat or crazy green glasses. Remember that you are conducting business and at all times representing your company. I plan to wear a skirt I just bought (not for St. Patrick’s Day) that will be perfect and still look polished. Here it is:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day,

Signature

Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.