YES! YOU CAN RAISE CHILDREN WITH IMPECCABLE MANNERS

Hello my valued reader, On this post, I will be sharing some nuggets on raising etiquette awareness in children no matter their age.

Children learn more by observations, modelling, guidance, motivation and reinforcement. No child is born with flawless manners, however if nurtured with the right values and attitude, it result in a well bred individual.

Do enjoy some of the shared nuggets for achieving flawless manners in children

•  Teach them how to use these magic words: "Please,  Excuse Me, I'm Sorry, Pardon Me, After You, You are welcome" to mention but not limited to these only.
• Model proper ways of greeting and exchanging pleasantries to elders, peers, adult, and friends
• Guide them to respect boundaries, rules,choices,opinions and diversity of culture
• Teach them delayed gratification and avoid indulging their excesses or excusing their negative behaviour.
• Correction must be age appropriate, timely and well explained to avoid rebellious reaction

I will pause at this point meanwhile please keep checking on my blog for more tips. Many thanks for your valued time. Cheers

HOW EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT ARE YOU IN DEALING WITH RUDENESS?

Emotional intelligence involves being gracious with words, calm with provocative situations, tolerant with chaotic behaviours, patient in times of social, economic, and psychological pressures and undaunted in the face of rudeness. Below are some guides on how to be emotionally intelligent in dealing with rudeness:

• Never mind the rudeness rather uphold your self respect
• Do not revenge or talk back
• Resist the temptation to correct the ill manner
• Remember "silence is golden"
• Model the right conduct by remaining calm and polite in your response if the need arises. 
• Walk away if you can else regulate your response. 

Live up to the stand posited by Dr. Travis Bradberry in his book "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" that "people with high emotional quotients balance good manners, empathy and kindness with the ability to assert themselves and establish boundaries" Thus, it is crucial to grow our emotional skills in order to become transformative in our personal and professional development.

Many thanks for reading.  Please keep checking back for more details on my blog.

HOW GRACIOUS ARE YOUR WORDS?

Words have power! The choice of words, usage and tonality are very influential in building relationships. The Bible enlightens that " life and death are in the power of the tongue" It also informs that "harsh words stir up anger" Proverbs 15:1. Thus, it's so amazing to speak the right thing, at the right moment and place. To be gracious with words, one must use the following words at all times;

• Please
• May I
• Excuse me
• I am sorry
• Thank you
• After you
• You're welcomed
• Hello
• Good to see you

I can go on and on with many golden words. Please drop your comments and more suggestions on " how gracious are your words?" Thanks for reading!

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Business etiquette emphasises the importance of building credibility and high level of integrity in service delivery and other business operations. There are certain qualities that distinguish one from others who are not etiquette aware in their business dealings. Below are few tips!

• Ensure that your dress code sends a professional message
• Be a man/woman of integrity
• Never be overly sensitive to accepting criticism even when negative. 
• Be intentional in being punctual to work, meetings or any other engagements with colleagues and clients
• Be reliable, dependable, and timely in services and products deliveries
• Know  your clients,  be committed to providing and exceeding their expectations and business experience with you
• Be humble and stand up when you're introduced to clients or strategic partners
• Keep away the phone and other electronic device that distracts during business meetings and discussions with colleagues or clients
• Show respect at all times. 

Keeping the above outlined tips will give you an edge over other business competitors,  enhance customers' loyalty and business referrals.

Many thanks for checking in to enjoy my post. Cheers!!!

NETIQUETTE/INTERNET ETIQUETTE

Netiquette is the practice of proper and acceptable behaviour online such as communication through emails, blogs and social networking media.

Importance of Internet Etiquette

• Reduces the misconception of messages, intentions and conduct
• Encourages the use of correct spellings,  grammar, punctuations and choice of words
• Helps to project professionalism in business and career related online communication

Rules of Internet Etiquette

• Do not post copyrighted materials without permission or proper reference
• Avoid the use of slang due to cultural differences
• Do not visit unwholesome sites that project cybercrime, war, sex, pornography
• Do not send junk mails or spams
• Reply and acknowledge emails within 24 hours
• Avoid hate speeches and abuses
• Do not engage in phishing or hacking of sites and emails.

IF ONLY YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR POSTURE SAYS ABOUT YOU

Body Posture Awareness/Deportment

Body posture awareness/deportment focuses on the way a person stands, sit, walk and present oneself especially in terms of etiquette. Trisha Mary Telford posited that "deportment is the pride you take in yourself,  the way you present yourself as a person, your character,  attitude,  your confidence,  self belief, language,  your personal grooming and clothing choice"

Body Posture:Correct Sitting Posture

• Sit down gracefully and avoid slouching
• Ladies sit with the legs closed and leaned at an angle to one side
• Ladies should not sit squarely on both feet as it is too manly
• Get up gracefully and avoid rising up suddenly from the seat

Correct Standing Posture

• Ensure that the back(spine) is straight and aligns with the head while the chin is not too high or low
•  The feet must be apart
• The stomach must be tucked in 

•  The shoulder should be held back and down

•  Arms should be kept to the side

Correct Walking Posture

• Gait should be graceful and unique
• Do not be too fast, hurried, directionless, sluggish but rather maintain a sensible graceful stride
• The upper torso should remain as strong as possible and shouldn't sway back and forth
• The back should not be  over arched; the heads while relaxed should be slightly lifted
• Do not waddle as that suggest boring and obese personality
• Nevertheless, do not walk like a fashion model on the runway

WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID THESE QUESTIONS IN A CONVERSATION

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE

Professional etiquette encompasses proper conduct, written, spoken and non verbal communication(body language) expected from professional such as doctors, teachers, lawyers, club members etc.

Rules of Professional Etiquette

• Dress appropriately for desired impact and impression
• Do not wear heavy make up and flashy jewellery to the office
• Tattoos and body piercing should be covered up
• Be mindful of personal hygiene and grooming
• Always arrive on time as it is a sign of professional ethic
• Use your indoor voice, avoid yelling, take criticism calmly
• Keep office correspondence brief, reply emails within 24 hours and calls within four hours
• Be discreet in socialising with colleagues
• Never take credit for others achievement

Please I need your comment on the question ↴
Thought showers: Is it professional to connect with your boss on Facebook, Instagram or Snap chat?

ELEVATOR(LIFT) ETIQUETTE

Hello my cherished readers/viewers,  hope you're all doing fine. I will be sharing some expected elevator manners. Enjoy!

Elevator  Etiquette

• Always stand away from the door while waiting to board
• Be helpful by pressing or pushing the ground button for someone who is not within its reach
• Break the silence by saying 'hello or hi"
• Hold the door if you notice someone coming in a hurry
• Respect people's space
• Do not smoke in the elevator

INTRODUCTION ETIQUETTE

Introduction is  done when people meet for the first time in events like wedding party, baby shower, training summit, boot campetc. There is need to connect with others when one is in a social settings mentioned so that one doesn't appear unfriendly or self centered. Thus, introduction etiquette is a must to connect seamlessly with people. The following tips for introduction will ensure that:

• Approach people with a smiley face
• Maintain an eye contact as you get closer
• Identify yourself (name) and ask for others name
• Always call people by the name they first introduce themselves. For instance, if a person introduces herself as Favour, don't call her Fay unless she permits you to do so.
• Make every effort to pronounce peoples' names correctly.
• Offer a firm handshake if such gesture is made if not just smile and say a simple " how do you do?" or say hello!

EVERY GENTLEMAN SHOULD DO THESE

Hello Cherished Readers, nice to share the rules of gentleman's etiquette. Enjoy!

ETIQUETTE FOR GENTLEMEN

• Say please, I'm sorry, excuse me, after you, and thank you as situations evolve
• Don't be dependent on a lady for life luxury
• Be respectful and humble
• Don't take advantage of any lady's naivety
• Be genuine
• Do not reveal conquest, private engagement with a lady or private deals to the Public
• Have a decent sense of humour
• Pay attention to personal hygiene
• Be kind, offer your seat to the elderly, hold the door and say after you!
• Be posture aware; stand straight, walk tall!
• Always keep to time
• Make eye contact and offer a firm handshake but never extend your hands to a lady first for a handshake.
• Mind your language, speak right

Keep checking back for more update. Thank you.

NUGGETS LADIES SHOULDN'T IGNORE

Hello! my cherished blog readers, it's nice to know you check on my blog. This time I will share some insights on " Lady's Etiquettes" Enjoy your reading...

Lady's Etiquettes 
A lady in the context of this write up is any female who is confident of her self worth, class, image, reputation and dispositions etc. Kristen Dalton Wolfe said "Acting like a lady is carrying yourself with dignity, which also empowers a man to be a gentleman". Thus a dignified lady must do the under listed:

• Stay classy
• Treat herself with dignity
• Dress decently and elegantly appropriate for all occasion
• Keep her head, shoulder, heels and standard high
• Wear confidence always as her indispensable accessory
• Always arrive on time at events
• Never attend events if not invited
• Speak impeccable grammar
• Does not engage in gossips and idle talk
• Chew gracefully with her mouth close
• Never allow her mood affect her manners
• Always mindful of the tone and volume of her voice because " Ladies are seen not heard"
• Do not retouch her makeup in public
• Never a busy body
• Maintains her integrity

Well, there are many more tips but I have to pause at the moment. Meanwhile, keep checking on my blog for more engaging etiquette matters. Cheers!

THE BIBLE AND ETIQUETTE

The Bible and Etiquette

It is very important to be mindful of the fact that some etiquette rules in different categories may not be globally accepted. There are bound to be diversities in faith or religion, organisational culture, family values, and country/regional orientation.

Some disparities in dining Etiquette which are contradictory to some religion include:

• All guest should stand when a lady/the hostess enters the room
• All men must stand whenever a lady enters or leaves the room (and may I ask even when they have started enjoying their meals?)
• The ladies sit first before the men sit.

The Bible only recommends standing up before the hoary head in Leviticus 19:32 and not for the host/hostess, ladies or women. 

Even Mordecai in Esther 5:9 did not stand up or move in recognition of the status or authority of Haman.

Controversy on Handshake

One of the rules of Handshake in introduction is that "Royalty should never be offered a hand to shake, they should either be bowed or curtsied to". This is true for the British Royalty.

However, this may not be acceptable globally example to the Jews since they do not bow to any man. Recall the story of Mordecai and Haman in Esther 3:5 which reported that "Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence"

I do hope you enjoy the post meanwhile I look forward to your views and comments. 

Hope to share more engaging insights on "The Bible and Etiquette". Please keep on checking on my blog. Thank you for your time. Cheers!

LEARN ABOUT DINING ETIQUETTE

image credit:Dreamstime.com

1. Wait for host/hostess to seat before you do
2. Wait for the host to tell where to sit-if no indicator
3. The woman sits to the right of the man
4. Place napkin on your lap and when done place on table, not on plate or chair. 
    But place on chair when leaving.
5. Don’t start eating until others are seated and served
6. Don’t touch items that dropped on floors
7. Keep personal items off the table
8. Set phones on silence/vibration ,and  finish meal before checking SMS and calls
9. Don’t use cutlery like shovel or stab your food
10. Don’t chew aloud or scrape your plate 

11. Avoid eating noisily for instance burping and gulping is wrong 12. Don’t clean spills with your napkin
13. Chew with your mouth closed
14. Don’t pick your teeth at the table
15.  Don’t retouch make-up at the table
16. Don’t reach across for any item, rather ask for it to be passed over to you
17. Don’t place your elbow on the table while eating. You can do so while   
      conversing between courses
18. Say ‘excuse me, please; I will be back’ when leaving for restroom. 
      Don’t say '
19. Don’t blow your nose at the table
20. When you cough cover your mouth with your napkin

21. It is impolite to answer phone during dinner. If you must then excuse yourself 
      and leave the table
22. Don’t use toothpick while at table
23. Don’t push dishes away from you  after eating, rather leave them where they are

                                                  More About Eating
 1. Don’t talk with food in your mouth
2. Taste your meal before seasoning it on table
3. Don’t blow on your food to cool it off- simply wait.
4. Eat bit by bit-not more than your mouthful
5. Don’t make an issue if you are unsatisfied- keep quiet and complain discretely
6. Always rest forks, knives and spoons on the side of your plate or on saucer or 
    bowl
7. Don’t request food other than that served. If any dietary restraint let your host 
    know ahead
8. Don’t play with food or cutlery
9. Don’t hold food on fork or spoon while talking
10. Don’t use cutleries to point or signal
11. Try to slow down the pace of eating to finish up about same time with others
12. Don’t continue to eat long after others are done

ON A FINAL NOTE

Arrive at least 10 minutes early unless otherwise specified. 
NEVER ARRIVE LATE!
It is proper to go along with a hostess gift e.g flowers, candy, wine, desert. Never expect your gift to be served at dinner
Send a thank you note to your host after a dinner party. 
A call might be an alternative channel.

ESSENTIAL OF ETIQUETTE

    image credit:Dreamstime.com

Etiquette is an age long practice that dated back to the time of King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. Etiquette is a necessity in a civilised society, group or profession. Thus etiquette is a code of conduct that guides behaviour in a society, group or profession.

The merits of etiquette include gaining credibility, greater earning opportunities, achievement of job promotion, winning of client's loyalty and relationship, increase in business referrals, acceptance in social circles, improved self worth,  among many others not mentioned.

Different categories of etiquette are Dining etiquette, netiquette, telephone etiquette, kidiquette (children etiquette), family etiquette, conversation etiquette, business etiquette, International etiquette, deportment and posture awareness, dress code and social etiquette.

The essence of etiquette awareness is informed by Thomas Clarence "Good manners will open doors the best education cannot". I enjoin you to keep checking on my blog for more engaging tips  on etiquette. Cheers!!!