Good manners are an important thing to have as they show that you are courteous towards others. Good social etiquette can help you develop better relationships and make it more enjoyable to be in your presence. In case you are going to eat with other people, be careful to use good manners when eating to show that you are respectful. Also, you should maintain etiquette when you are online so that you do not offend or share too much information with others.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Have Good Conversation Etiquette
Step 1. Say "please" and "thank you" when asking for something
Every time you make a request or need to ask for something, you must say "please" to start. This will make it not sound like you are demanding that the other person do something for you. When someone finishes the task you have asked them to do, respond by saying "thank you" so that they know that you are grateful for what they just did.
- For example, you could say "Can you pass me that book, please?" When the person has handed you the book, say "thank you."
- Say "thank you" every time someone helps you in some small way (for example, when someone passes your products through the register at a store or takes your order at a restaurant).
- In case someone says "thank you", reply "you're welcome" so as not to stop being polite.
Step 2. Introduce yourself by name when you first meet someone
In case you're meeting someone and they haven't met before, introduce yourself by name and ask them what theirs is. When he tells you, repeat it so that you have a better chance of remembering it later. Offer your hand to shake and do so with a firm grip, although not so firm that you hurt the other person.
- For example, you can say "Hi, my name is Juan. What is yours?"
- In different cultures and countries there are different manners when it comes to introductions and therefore you should be careful to be familiar with the etiquette of the place where you are.
- In case you are with someone else and you meet someone you know, be sure to introduce them if they haven't met before. For example, you could say "Hi Juan, this is Melissa. Melissa, this is Juan."
Step 3. Listen to others without interrupting them
If a person starts talking, make eye contact with them and pay attention to what they are saying so that you can start a conversation. Don't try to interrupt her or speak over her, as this will come across as rude. When the person has finished speaking, respond to what they just said so that they know you were listening to what they said.
If you and someone else start talking at the same time, stop and tell them to continue to show that you care about what they say
Step 4. Don't use bad language
Inappropriate language can be perceived as rude, especially when used in public conversation. You should do your best to eliminate bad words from your vocabulary when speaking with others. Don't say those words but instead try to find a replacement or just pause during the conversation to collect your thoughts and plan what to say.
- For example, you could say "wow" or "heck" instead of more severe swear words.
- You can also find more descriptive adjectives to replace bad words. For example, don't say something like "f * cking great" but instead say it was "great".
Tip:
Wear an elastic band or bracelet around your wrist and slap it against your skin whenever you find yourself saying bad words or thinking of saying them. This will make you associate the bad language with the pain and you will do it less frequently.
Method 2 of 4: Show Respect to Others
Step 1. Offer to help others to show that you are a courteous and respectful person
In case you see someone who needs help, ask if you can do something for them. If it's a reasonable request and you can do it easily, take the time to help the other person. This could be as simple as holding the door open for someone or helping someone carry a heavy item.
- For example, you can approach the person and say "Can I help you carry that?"
- Sometimes you may not need to ask if you can help someone. For example, you can keep the door open for someone coming up behind you or offer your seat on a bus to someone who needs to sit down.
Step 2. Respect the personal space of others
People do not usually like to be touched when they are not expecting it and it can make them feel uncomfortable. Take into account how close you are to others standing or sitting and observe their face and body language to determine what they think. In case they don't seem comfortable in your presence, give them more space and apologize.
In case you bump into someone by accident, you can say "Excuse me, I'm sorry."
Step 3. Congratulate people on their achievements for sportsmanship
By having sportsmanship, you show that you are respectful and know how to recognize the success of a person. In case any of your friends win something or get a promotion, you can say "Congratulations!" or "Good!" so I know you care.
Don't make someone else's success related to you. For example, in case someone beat you in a game, don't say "It was just because I made some bad plays." Instead you can say something like "You did a great job. You had a very good strategy."
Step 4. Write thank you notes when someone gives you something
In case someone gives you a gift or does something special for you, other than saying "thank you" in person, reach out within a few days with a thank you note. In the note, tell him how much you appreciate what he did and convey how it affects you. End the note with a goodbye like "Best regards" or "Regards" before signing your name.
For example, you could write "Dear Julia: Thank you for the diary you gave me for my birthday. I can't wait to write in it and have it with me every day. I appreciate it very much! Greetings, Juan."
Method 3 of 4: Practice Table Manners
Step 1. Keep the devices off the table so you don't get distracted
Don't put your cell phone or tablet on the table when eating with other people, as this distracts you from the conversation. Put your phone on silent or vibrate mode and put it in a pocket or bag during meals, without answering it unless there is an emergency.
In case you must respond to a text message or a call, apologize first to get up from the table saying something like "Excuse me, I must answer. Now I'll be back."
Step 2. Wait until everyone has been served before starting to eat
You should not start eating immediately after sitting down, as it is rude to start if others do not have food. Instead, you should wait patiently in your seat while others are served or served before taking the first bite. This will allow everyone to enjoy their food at the same time and experience food together.
This applies to eating at home or in a restaurant
Step 3. Hold the utensils in the correct way
Hold the fork and knife as if you were holding a pencil and not making a fist. When you need to cut something, hold the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left hand. After cutting the food, you can either use the fork in your left hand or drop the knife so that you can use the fork in your right hand.
Be careful to use the correct cutlery for your food. If you have multiple knives and forks, use the ones on the outer edges first before using the others for additional plates
Step 4. Avoid chewing with your mouth open
Chewing with your mouth open or talking with your mouth full is often considered rude, as no one wants to see the food in your mouth. Eat small bites and chew them completely with your mouth closed before swallowing or speaking. If someone is talking to you while you eat, wait until you have swallowed the food before responding.
Cut the food into smaller pieces so that your mouth is not too full and you can chew more easily
Step 5. Ask someone else at the table to pass things on to you
Don't reach across the table as you could be in the way of other people and it would be considered rude. Go to the person who is closest to what you want at the table and ask them to pass it to you. When you have received the item you want, be careful to thank the person to show that you are polite.
- For example, you could say "Julia, can I have the butter, please?"
- If there is no room in front of you at the table to put the item down, ask the person if they could put it back in place for you. For example, you could say, "Can you put the bowl back on the table for me, please? Thank you."
Step 6. Don't put your elbows on the table while eating
You can keep your elbows on the table before and after your meal, as well as between dishes while you talk. When you have your food, keep your hand on your lap when not in use so that you do not rest your elbows or arms on the edge of the table.
Tip:
Different cultures may have different labels when it comes to keeping your elbows on the table. Research the manners in the place where you are to review well what is considered appropriate.
Step 7. Cover your mouth in case you need to remove something from your teeth
In case something gets stuck in your teeth, you should cover your mouth with either your napkin or your hand so that others cannot see it. Try to be discreet when removing something from your teeth so that you don't draw attention to yourself. When you have removed the food from your teeth, place it on the side of your plate or wrap it in your napkin.
In case you can't get the food off your teeth in the space of a few seconds, apologize and get up from the table so you can go to the bathroom
Step 8. Apologize in case you have to get up from the table
In case you need to go to the bathroom, check your cell phone, or leave sometime during your meal, say "Excuse me" before you stand up so others know that you need to go somewhere. You don't need to say why you're leaving as long as you sit back down again.
For example, you could say "Excuse me, I'm coming back now" when you get up from the table
Method 4 of 4: Be respectful online
Step 1. Avoid saying negative or offensive things on social media
Before posting something online, you should take a few minutes to consider whether it is something you would say in person or what you would say to someone's face. In case it is not something you would share, you should not post it on your profile, as other people who see it could perceive it as negative or offensive.
- Try to write negative or angry posts on another document and not on social media websites. This will allow you to come back to them later and determine if it is something that really needs to be published.
- Talk directly to people instead of posting angry or offensive status updates about them. This will allow them to resolve the issue privately so that you don't disclose anything publicly.
Tip:
Many jobs and schools review social media accounts when considering potential hires and students. Therefore, you should not post anything that could have an effect on their decisions.
Step 2. Do not post or tag other people's images without their consent
While it might seem comical to post an unflattering photo of a friend and tag him in it, it could hurt your feelings if he appears on your profile at all. Talk to the person directly before posting anything to make sure they agree. Send her the photo you want to publish so she can know what to expect. In case he asks you not to publish it, you must respect his decision and not share it.
- Tagged photos typically appear prominently on someone's social media account, so other people might see the photo and judge the person you've tagged for it.
- Consider whether you would like your friend to post a photograph of you in a similar situation. In case you don't want your photo published online, your friend probably doesn't want their photo published either.
Step 3. Avoid sharing too much personal information on your social media accounts
Sharing too much information can include posting private information or just posting too much in the course of the day. Before doing so, consider whether you want the information you are going to share online to be publicly available.
- On social media websites like Twitter, it is more acceptable to post multiple times a day, compared to websites like Facebook or LinkedIn.
- You should never post personal information (such as addresses, phone numbers, or passwords) online, as someone could scam or hack you.
Step 4. Write your posts using the correct upper and lower case instead of capitalizing them
Capitalizing online is often perceived as yelling at people who read your posts. When posting, you should use capital letters only at the beginning of a sentence, when including a proper noun, or when abbreviating a phrase. This will allow people to read your posts in a regular tone of voice.
For example, "PLEASE READ MY NEW POST!" it reads much more aggressively than "Please read my new post!"
Step 5. Avoid sending unsolicited messages or images to someone
While you may be tempted to send messages or pictures to people you don't know, this can make them uncomfortable if they don't want them. You should use the same conversational manners that you would use if you were speaking in real life so that you don't come across as rude. In case you don't know the person, introduce yourself and wait for a response. If they don't respond, avoid sending them more messages in bulk, as they may just not want to talk.
In case you are concerned about receiving unsolicited messages, check your social media settings so that you limit who can send you things
Advice
- Treat others the way you want to be treated in order to remain respectful and friendly.
- Read etiquette guides or books to learn more about how to behave appropriately in various social settings.
Warnings
- You should never post personal information online.
- Different countries have different manners and labels. Therefore, you should be careful to review what is rude or acceptable where you live.