QUEZON City, Philippines (March 29) – Etiquette serves as our guideline in behaving properly within our society. It is another word for politeness and good manners. Imagine how everyone will behave without the existence of etiquette. It would be chaos.
A long time ago, etiquette was used to determine someone’s status and make restrictions for individuals in the society. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, even the act of bowing dictates the rank in the society. Inferior should bow low depending on the other person’s superiority relative to him. This act is etiquette in their time. Even the length of courtship and the grieving period of a widow should be for a year. And widows are required to stay in black.
That is etiquette. It is like a law that dictates what is proper and accepted in the society.
Nowadays, etiquette is simplified. No more bows when meeting superiors. Even courtships have become shorter or, in some cases, non-existent. But even with the simplified etiquette of our time, there are important acts of etiquette that people should always remember.
“Hi, I’m…”- Introducing yourself is the first thing to do when meeting someone for the first time. Remember that first impression last. This is to make a good start in a relationship or even in a business. Introducing who you are and what you do will help others in making conversation with you and vice versa.
What if you’re with two people who don’t know each other? It is your responsibility as their common friend to introduce them to each other. You can relate them to each other by their similarities like hobbies or field of work. For example, “Juan, I want you to meet my friend Julio, he is so into basketball like you, you should play some time.”Also, never forget to make a firm handshake when meeting someone.
On Food– Not knowing what spoon or fork to use in a dish is forgivable. Not able to fold your napkin or to know where it should be place before, during and after meal is considerable. But since technology started to dominate our lives and with most of people were “wired” to their gadgets, it is still not advisable to use it while having your meal especially with someone you just met. It is simply bad manners when you don’t pay attention to the person you are with.
If hosting a dinner, let your guest order first by saying lines like, “My guest would like to order first.”, then gesturing to your company. In taking pictures of food that trend on social media, ask your company for the permission and avoid using flash so that other diners won’t be disturbed.
Saying “Thank you” – Whenever someone did something good to you, always say “thank you”. It is the least you can do. Saying “thank you” in a grateful way means that you appreciate what the person had done for you.Filipinos and other culture practice “utang na loob”, an act of returning the favor in other ways.
Being late- Did you know that making the person wait is a form of violating human rights? Informing the person you are about to meet that you will be late is not an excuse to be not on time. Being on time shows that you are punctual. Punctuality supports your life and career. Being on time is about being organized and respectful to other’s time. So, progress and promote good manners by saying goodbye to Filipino Time.
Etiquette is an unwritten law. It is up to you whether you ignore it or not. But having it is an advantage for it defines, shapes and guides. Enhancing it will not do harm but rather give advantage, not just in your career but in your life as well.
References:
https://www.universalclass.com/articles/self-helpetiquette//the-importance-of-etiquette.htm
http://etiquette.about.com/od/Manners/tp/8-Most-Common-Etiquette-Mistakes.htm
http://etiquette.about.com/od/Professional-Etiquette/a/Be-On-Time.htm
(written by Karen Llacuna, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)
