It only takes one moment to lift a mood or make a positive impression. Here are a few tips to encourage you to continue to review your daily habits and make small adjustments. The list below includes a handful of common etiquette pet peeves which may have confused you or slipped through the cracks of your daily life.
1. Wearing Sunglasses Indoors
Keeping your specs on indoors looks “shady” as if you have something to hide. Without eye contact, people can’t read your facial expressions or process your responses or reactions. Store your sunglasses in a thin, protective case as you put them out of sight.
2. Delaying an RSVP
Have you forgotten, or are you just putting off the inevitable because you don’t want to hurt someone else’s feelings? You’ve only got 48 hours before someone thinks you are shopping other options first. If you know you cannot attend an event, simply let your host know. There are seldom hurt feelings when you follow up quickly. Issues arise when they have to call you to double-check whether or not you received the invitation.
3. Leaving Your Hat on Indoors
Women’s hats may remain on at a luncheon or during a church service as a fashion statement. When it comes to baseball caps, for example, during the national anthem, both men and women should remove theirs as a sign of respect.
4. Sending a Text Rather Than Making a Return Phone Call
When someone calls you on the phone, responding by text looks like you are trying to avoid a conversation. It is always best to respond in the same manner you were contacted. If you cannot reach them, and the message is important, email or text to let them know you were trying to get in touch with them.
5. Pushing the “Door Close” Button When You See Someone Approaching the Elevator
We’ve all seen someone push the button while someone else in the distance is walking up to the door. Give people time to get to the door before trying to “shut them out.” You are only saving a few extra seconds, and you will feel better by extending a courtesy.
6. Ignoring the Pedestrian Crosswalks at the Grocery Store
If someone is waiting, allow them to walk in front of your car. Remember what it’s like to feel stuck with your hands full of groceries as cars speed by. If you are the person crossing, don’t forget to smile and wave your hand to show your appreciation.
7. Not Saying Thank You
When someone yields to let you in on the road, always acknowledge the gesture by waving “thank you.” Do the same when someone allows you to cross in front of them in line or steps out of the way so you can walk through. I was recently in a very tight line at the airport, and a young woman was trying to get through. She physically ran over the person standing in front of me with her bag and then rolled her eyes as she passed. She made a spectacle of herself and unfortunately ended up sitting next to the person she inadvertently ran over a few minutes earlier. It was uncomfortable. Fast forward a few minutes as many of us witnessed the other woman calling her out on her rude behavior. While I would not suggest starting an altercation, I’m certain the young woman will think twice before bulldozing through a line the next time without regard for boundaries and public space.
8. Asking Invasive Questions
“When are you going to have another child?” or, “Are you planning to get married?”
These questions are often fillers for a lull in conversation. Feel free to let the other person know the topic is not up for discussion. Smile, keep your tone of voice in check and say, “We will keep you in the loop when and if we have news.”
9. Not Leaving a Tip
You may think you already pay an exorbitant amount of money for a haircut, or overpay at your favorite, expensive restaurant, but if you choose to visit a certain establishment, you also must tip accordingly.
10. Sharing Too Much Information
No matter how much of a connection you think you have with someone, unless you know them well, don’t overshare. The feeling may not be mutual, and you will have scared a potential friend away by your lack of self control.
For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
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