By Cara Beth Lewis
Etiquette. More than likely, you have heard of this at least once in your life. You have also probably been told to “mind your manners,” “be polite,” and “show respect.” In simple terms, etiquette indicates the proper way to behave… but there is much more to etiquette when you dig deeper.
Emily Post is the author of “Etiquette,” and the woman who began what is now a fifth-generation family business that promotes etiquette based on three principles: consideration, respect, and honesty.
Pictured: Emily Post
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Consideration. This can be described as displaying empathy – putting yourself in others shoes and thinking, “How does it make them feel?” Consideration is thoughtful and conscientious.
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Respect. Respect is shown, felt, and demonstrated through both actions and words. Every interaction you have, there is an opportunity to show respect or show disrespect. Like consideration, respect is thoughtful and conscientious.
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Honesty. It is more than just not lying. Honesty is being sincere, genuine, and displaying integrity. However, honesty should not be “brutal.” When being honest, it is important to also be empathetic and find the positive truth, rather than causing embarrassment, offense, or hurt feelings.
Emilypost.com says, “Put these three principles together and act on them in your daily life and you will be the soul of graciousness and have excellent relationships as a result. These three principles will see you through thick and thin, guiding you through differences of opinion or interactions with difficult people who cross your path and helping you to build even better relationships with those close to you.”
“Whenever two people’s lives come together and affect one another. You have etiquette. Etiquette is not some rigid code of manners; it’s simply how people’s lives touch one another.” – Emily Post
Etiquette is used, and needed, in our daily lives. At work, at home, with friends, anywhere. There are different categories of etiquette: social etiquette, meeting etiquette, wedding etiquette, corporate etiquette, bathroom etiquette, business etiquette, telephone etiquette, and eating etiquette.
BladenOnline will cover the many categories of etiquette, how to address certain situations while minding etiquette rules, and more in the upcoming weeks throughout this series of weekly articles on Etiquette.
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