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Is Good Etiquette Really Necessary?
The Foundation of Etiquette
Dining Etiquette - It's More Than Using the Correct Fork
Multi-cultural Etiquette
Oops: Recovery, Don't Worry, It's Not That Serious
Finishing School
Frequently Asked Questions About Etiquette
The Least You Need To Know About Etiquette & Manners
Related Links
References

Is Good Etiquette Really Necessary?
I hesitate to say that good etiquette is necessary in our society, but it sure makes things more pleasant! I appreciate the act of kindness and respect, do you not? I don't particularly care for someone burping loudly at the table without so much as a "pardon me" or "excuse me." Etiquette goes farther than a simple "Thank you," "Please" and "May I?" The root of etiquette lies within. How do you wish to treated? How do you wish to be regarded as a person? Do you like when people are rude to you and treat you as if you were nothing? If you do not then you should realize that most others feel the same way. Live by the Golden Rule, 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you', and with a few learned rules of etiquette you'll go far.

We will discuss basic kindness and respect as well as dining, business and traveling etiquette. We will also brush the surface of multicultural etiquette. not every culture and country has such rules- - some even more rules. In some areas belching is considered disgusting, as is finishing your entire plate quickly. In others these things are considered a compliment. We will only scratch the surface of multicultural manners (the very basics of courtesy and beliefs) as America is more apt to accept things as they are without much of an argument. Regardless of a person's background, culture or race -- surely no one appreciates being disregarded as a human being and treated like dirt.

I will tell you the basics and then throw you a few not-so-common rules of etiquette. Most people never get the opportunity to practice or use what they learn at a Finishing School. Actually I don't know many people who have attended a finishing school, but both of my best friends have. Besides, you don't need to attend one of these schools to learn good etiquette. Today's generations and even yesteryear's generations can learn ettiquette and manners via books, manuals, college courses and the internet.

The Foundation of Etiquette
There are three general rules that are of the most importance and should be regarded. Unfortunately, human beings feel as if they do not have to listen to anyone or do what another tells them to do, alas -- discourtesy.

These three "rules" are:

Be kind to others
Treat others with respect
Be appreciative of another's kindness & respect

If you can appreciate another's kindness and appreciate being treated with respect -- why not return the favor? It is like a catch 22 (a vicious circle) -- you treat someone with total disregard and you will be awarded the same. These basics are usually taught within the home. I once thought that humankind was predominantly good. I now know that this is NOT true. It is sad but so very true. People tend to worry about their own or themselves and care not what happens to others outside of their circle. I am not telling you to go out and start giving your money away to every person who asks for it or holds a sign up stating "I will work for food." I am talking about holding a door open for another, saying "thank you," "please", "you're welcome" or "excuse me" if you bump into another or make a rude noise. A rude person can affect another's entire day. Although some may argue, like Marc, that if someone is rude to you, don't worry about it --- be rude back or ignore them. I don't believe that being rude to another in return helps matters although I do not ignore it some of the time. Not even I can hold my tongue sometimes. These types of beliefs are personal issues and don't need to be followed whatsoever. You're not obligated to be nice to anyone. It just makes life a little more pleasant for others and for yourself.

Dining Etiquette - It's More Than Using the Correct Fork
Goodness. Where to start? First off, don't worry so much. If you look and feel tense not you will not enjoy your dinner. It is very important that you enjoy your dinner. What is the point of joining others to celebrate if you are going to stress over what they are thinking of you. Besides a gracious and proper host/hostess would never point out a person's faults or their lacking in education or manners either publicly or in private. Let's begin in the sequence of having been invited to a dinner party or dinner date.

You are invited to a personal dinner say at a very nice restaurant -- the piano in the bar is playing "Moonlight Sonata" and it seductively drifts throughout the dining hall. Y ou approach the table...

Male: allow the female(s) of the group to sit first and help them into their seat(s). I don't care if it is a new Millennium--manners are still nice. Always enter your seat from the left, if you can. Left hip to the chair. Exit via the left hip out (right hip nearest the chair)
- Although, you are usually not expected to help a female seat herself if it is a business lunch or dinner -- in fact it is frowned upon as being "sexist" in a business atmosphere. But you may stand at her entrance and exit, to and from the table.
Female: you choose your chair and seat yourself if you must -- if a male does not help you into your seat if the host does not give you entrance, ignore it and make no comment. Always enter your chair from the left. Always ride from the right.
All: Normally you allow the guest of honor or elder of the group to choose their chair first, and then follow suit.
All: It is best to let the guest of honor or elder initiate the signal of opening their napkin.
All: Note the table setting.

Multi-cultural Etiquette

Oops: Recovery, Don't Worry, It's Not That Serious

Finishing School

Frequently Asked Questions About Etiquette

The Least You Need To Know About Etiquette & Manners

References

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