Etiquette Practices We All Should Model

As a mom raising 5 daughters in a time of Covid-19, it is more important than ever that we as parents stay positive.  Staying positive in ways that  teach our children proper image and etiquette behaviors. This include mannerism. personality and behaviors.

In 2014 I received my Certification as a Certified Image & Etiquette Teacher and Trainer for Teens and Adults. Unfortunately by that time, my 5 daughters were at the age to be living out of the house on their own. So this information will apply to etiquette practices we all should model.

I am amazed how much our daily lives coincides with our attitudes and the behaviors of others. Take a moment to think about how all of our lives intertwined with each another. It all comes back to how we treat our fellow servant (the other person), our neighbors, and how they treat us.

Let’s be real can we?  If you asked 100 people this question, most of their answers would be consistent “Yes”!  So, let me ask you, “Do you want to live a happy life?  I think if you asked most people in your circle of friends and acquaintances, they would have the same response. So, we all want the same thing, but have a difficult time knowing how to get it. When we mistreat others (our sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors and acquaintances), we are not living out our true selves. This is why we need Etiquette.

Etiquette is “Acceptable behaviors that is gracious and polite socially, professionally and in family situations”. When it comes to our behavior, etiquette defines it as “Who we are”. It is how we treat other people. It is not how other people treat us”.  We exhibit etiquette when we drive our cars on the highway, we exhibit etiquette when we visit a restaurant. Yes, it is how we sit at the table, and interacts with other guests at the table.

My first etiquette teaching was on “The proper way to answer and talk on the telephone”. You would not normally think that we would need to teach this skill, but we do. I was amazed of how people answered the phone, and wondered why the person on the other end of the line quickly ended the call, and did not call back again. People learn more about our behavior when we are on the telephone than when we are face to face. We have become immuned to bad telephone etiquette practices.

When taking my Certification Course, we defined Etiquette as “How our behavior affect others and how proper etiquette can put others at ease”  Think about that for a moment.  It told me that my behavior can make other people feel comfortable or uncomfortable in their presence. So, I can decide which behavior I portray. We make that decision every time we are around other people.  Yes, that’s correct. We all have that power to put others at ease. So why not make people feel at ease when we are in their presence?

During this Covid 19 Pandemic, and social distancing 24/7, we all spend most of our time at home, indoors with our immediate family. This has been the most difficult time for most of us but, the Etiquette rule still apply. In fact, it applies more in the home than it does outside the home because that is where we began learning how to treat one another. When we respect those living with us in our homes, it will carry over automatically when we are socially connected.

Take a moment and ask yourself, what type of person would I prefer to be around. One that is popular, has status in the community, but their attitude and mannerism is rude and condescending. On the other hand. You have a person that is involved in making a difference in the community, enjoys talking with you about how to improve community issues, and cares about the needs of others. Which behavior are you attracted to?

1. Parents, the earlier we start teaching our children proper etiquette skills are the better.

2. Speak kindly of others, or keep your thoughts to yourself.

3. Arrive on time or early for a meeting or Appointment.

4. Don’t interrupt others when they are speaking.

5. When entering a food line with someone, allow them to go first.

6. Say “Thank You” for a good deed that someone has done for you.