Whether you call it manners, etiquette or common consideration for your fellow human beings, it appears it needs to be reinforced in today’s business environment. We hear so much about how to conduct ourselves in business and yet we don’t realize that our actions are speaking louder than our words when it comes to how we conduct ourselves with others. We have become so tied to our cell phones, tablets and computers that they have literally become the focal point of our world—at times appearing more important than the people we are physically with or around.
Technology has become a necessity. We need cell phones, tablets, and computers to communicate in this increasingly busy world we live in. But to have your cell phone on when you are having lunch with friends, business colleagues or clients is not appropriate. This sends a message that the phone call you have just answered is more important than the person or persons you are presently with. Feeling you have to call someone when you are on the subway or in an elevator etc. is just unacceptable. My real pet peeve is someone texting while I am trying to have a conversation with them. The only word to describe that is “rude”.
Have we really become so self-consumed that we no longer take the feelings of others into account? Why should others have to listen to your cell phone conversation while they are trying to have lunch or ride home on the subway? How about being so engrossed in your texting that you don’t even look up to order your meal? Or how about the people who bump into you while they are walking and talking on the phone or texting and act like you are the idiot for being in their way? Excuse me but you should look where you are walking so that you do not walk into someone else. One should not have to play a game of dodge it every time they step out onto the sidewalk.
What happened to the common courtesy of holding the door open for the next person coming through? Is it really that hard to do? It makes a world of difference in how you are perceived. How about letting people off the elevator before you try to step in? While I’m on the subject of common courtesies, why do people feel they can brush their hair, clip their finger nails, floss their teeth or use a tooth pick in public? I don’t want to see that and I am sure I’m not alone. There is a time and place for personal hygiene and it is not out in the open for all to see. This type of thing should be taken to the ladies’ or men’s room. Speaking of the ladies’ room, it may be true for the men’s as well, if you make a mess, clean it up. Don’t expect a stranger to have to clean off the toilet seat or the sink from your prior use. It is rude, inconsiderate and quite frankly offensive.
People show us their true colors every day if we just pay attention. We see their true character, not in the canned speech they deliver to us but rather in the little courtesies they extend or choose not to extend to us. We are all responsible for our choices and actions. We teach people how to treat us so don’t let people get away with this kind of behavior while they are with you. Believe me if you allow it once it will escalate. If we all try to put ourselves into the shoes of the people we come in contact with and try to live by the Golden Rule of do unto others as you would have them do unto you, we will find a much happier world to live in. Like I said, whether you call it manners or etiquette, a little common courtesy goes a long, long way.
Debbie Darling, ©2014 The Presentation Pros
Read more of The Presentation Pros blog HERE.
Have we really become so self-consumed that we no longer take the feelings of others into account? Why should others have to listen to your cell phone conversation while they are trying to have lunch or ride home on the subway? How about being so engrossed in your texting that you don’t even look up to order your meal? Or how about the people who bump into you while they are walking and talking on the phone or texting and act like you are the idiot for being in their way? Excuse me but you should look where you are walking so that you do not walk into someone else. One should not have to play a game of dodge it every time they step out onto the sidewalk.
What happened to the common courtesy of holding the door open for the next person coming through? Is it really that hard to do? It makes a world of difference in how you are perceived. How about letting people off the elevator before you try to step in? While I’m on the subject of common courtesies, why do people feel they can brush their hair, clip their finger nails, floss their teeth or use a tooth pick in public? I don’t want to see that and I am sure I’m not alone. There is a time and place for personal hygiene and it is not out in the open for all to see. This type of thing should be taken to the ladies’ or men’s room. Speaking of the ladies’ room, it may be true for the men’s as well, if you make a mess, clean it up. Don’t expect a stranger to have to clean off the toilet seat or the sink from your prior use. It is rude, inconsiderate and quite frankly offensive.
People show us their true colors every day if we just pay attention. We see their true character, not in the canned speech they deliver to us but rather in the little courtesies they extend or choose not to extend to us. We are all responsible for our choices and actions. We teach people how to treat us so don’t let people get away with this kind of behavior while they are with you. Believe me if you allow it once it will escalate. If we all try to put ourselves into the shoes of the people we come in contact with and try to live by the Golden Rule of do unto others as you would have them do unto you, we will find a much happier world to live in. Like I said, whether you call it manners or etiquette, a little common courtesy goes a long, long way.
Debbie Darling, ©2014 The Presentation Pros
Read more of The Presentation Pros blog HERE.
