Etiquette School of Ohio

Travel Etiquette - Airport Check-in

Since 911, traveling by air has changed dramatically. Airport security has done an outstanding job of publicizing the new security rules and updating us with changes to help us arrive to the airport well prepared. However, I am amazed at the number of people who hold up check-in lines because they’re not prepared.

When you check in with the airline you are flying, they will request a photo ID. Please have your ID out and readily available. When you have to search through every pocket and compartment of your luggage or carry-on, you are delaying everyone in line behind you. Personally, I am not interested in a review of all the items you packed as you pull them out of your luggage and put them back in.

It would be most polite if you retrieve your identification before stepping in line or while you are waiting in line. When you approach the ticket counter, you should be well prepared just as you would be for a professional meeting.

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, everyone can make the new security guidelines run efficiently and with little stress.

Business Notes - E-mail Messages

In today’s fast paced world, communication through e-mail has become a way of life. I find this especially true among college students.

Even though an e-mail is less formal than the handwritten note, it should still contain the same format of the handwritten note. One should also evaluate the appropriateness of the e-mail versus a phone call or a meeting face to face. Remember, the original intention or emotion of an e-mail can easily be misinterpreted.

Here are a few basic rules for sending business e-mails:

1. Every e-mail should have a greeting, body - broken into short, appropriate paragraphs, a salutation, and a signature with all of your contact information. I find receiving an e-mail in one large block paragraph difficult to read.

2. Proper punctuation and grammar is a necessity. I frequently receive e-mails containing no capital letters.

3. Use your spell check. Words spelled incorrectly do not reflect a good professional image of yourself.

4. Keep the message brief.

5. Use the subject line. Stay with one topic for each e-mail message.

6. If you change the subject, change the subject line.

7. Do not write it if you wouldn’t want it on the front page of the “New York Times”. E-mails are not a means for gossiping or venting about co-workers. Pressing the wrong send button can have devastating outcomes. You never know who your e-mail will be forwarded to.

8. Use Bcc and Cc appropriately. At times, it is appropriate to let the recipient know who the other e-mail recipients are. If you’re sending a mass e-mail, I do not want my e-mail address posted for everyone to see and/or forward.

9. Avoid using emoticons or abbreviations such as FYI and BTW.

10. Re-read your message before sending it. If you wrote the e-mail when you had strong emotions, wait until you’ve cooled down before sending it. You may even decide not to send it at all.

Telephone Etiquette - Personal Announcements

I spend a great deal of time preparing graduates for their job search. One subject we discuss in depth is the personal announcement on their phone. What may have been fun while attending school is not going to make the grade if a potential employer listens to it.

Here is an actual example of a college student’s voice message announcement. A perfect example of what not to say when searching for a job. Please note, the message has not been altered in any way.

“Yo, yo, Buffalo, you’ve reached Joe, but had to go,

Guess that means I’m a - no sho.

Leave your message in - slo mo,

I’ll get back to ya,

yo, ho, ho!”

Oh no! This is not appropriate. However, I do give the author an “A” for significant use of the “o” sound.

Another poor example:

“Hey, it’s me. Obviously I’m nowhere to be found. Leave a message loser. I might call you back.”

A more appropriate message would be:

“Hello, you’ve reached the voice mail of Joe ________. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave a brief message and I’ll get back to you before the end of the day. Thanks for calling and have a good day.”

The newly renovated voice announcement might be the ticket to an interview or a job offer.

Etiquette at the Hair Salon

Practicing good etiquette is more than knowing where your fork is or how to make introductions. It is a part of everything we do and say everyday. Etiquette shows respect for others as well as for yourself.

Today, I told my hair stylist about this site and he asked if I would deliver a message on behalf of all salons and stylists. Of course I politely agreed to help him in this area.

Salons schedule appointments in order to accomodate and pamper their customers to the best of their ability. An individual customer is paying for that particular block of time and services to be rendered.

If you should arrive to your appointment early, please wait in the reception area until you are invited to come back to the stylist’s station. Do not plop yourself down next to the stylist while he or she is finishing with their customer and strike up a conversation. This is distracting to the stylist as well as rude to the customer before you. I trust you would never do this at your doctor’s office.

Rumor has it, a hair stylist knows more personal secrets than any other friend or family member. Would you want a stranger dropping in on your most intimate conversations?

Tattoos in the Workplace

Tattoos are becoming very fashionable.  However, your employer may not agree and your chances of getting a job or getting promoted could be jeopardized.

Employers have the right to hire individuals who will best represent the image of their company.  If that image does not include tattoos, you should think twice about the placement of the tattoo.

Also, your current employer may not mind seeing tattoos on their employees, but what if you want to change careers in the future?  Tattoos are permanent.  They can be removed but never completely go away.

When making the decision about getting a tattoo, try to place it where it will not be seen while you’re on the job.  How you want to display it on your own time is up to you.

Dining Etiquette - Dropped Utensils

Should you drop a utensil on the floor, do not pick it up and place it back on the table.  You do not want to place germs or dirt from the floor on your dining surface.

Simply ask the waiter to bring you another one and direct his or her attention to the dropped utensil so they may pick it up.

If the waiter fails to pick up the dropped utensil, try to discreetly push it under your chair or table with your foot so someone does not trip on it.

Class Schedule

Childrens Etiquette Class - 2007 Early Fall Schedule

1st through 5th Grades - Tuesdays, Sept. 4 - Oct. 9, 3:15 - 4:15 Class Full

6th through 9th Grades - Wednesdays, Sept. 5 - Oct. 10, 3:30 - 4:40 Class Full

10th - 12th Grades - Thursdays, Sept. 6 - Oct. 11, 3:30 - 4:30 Class Full

1st - 5th Grades - Saturdays, Sept. 8 - Oct. 13, 11:00 - 12:00 Class Full

If the class you wish to enroll in is full, please contact the Etiquette School of Ohio to be placed on a priority list for the late fall schedule. If there is substantial interest in a particular class, age, and time, a class may be added to the late fall schedule to accommodate your needs.

Business Etiquette classes and seminars may be scheduled at any time. Please contact Sandy Hyde for more information.

sandy@etiquetteschoolofohio.com

937-469-4800

Dining Etiquette - How to Eat French Fries

I am frequently asked, “How do I eat french fries? With a fork or with my fingers?” This question is very common among my college students who consider french fries a staple vegetable item.

If you are dining in a casual atmosphere and the fries are served with a sandwich or hamburger, you may eat the fries with your fingers. Never, never, never lick your fingers. Use your napkin.

If you are using a fork and knife to eat your entree, cut the french fries into smaller pieces and eat them with your fork.

In either situation, do not pour ketchup directly on the fries. Place the ketchup on your plate and dip the fries in the ketchup.

Etiquette for Escalators and Moving Sidewalks

Escalators and moving sidewalks are wonderful people movers.  Because they never stop, we rarely have to wait in line to get on and they get us to where we’re going with much ease and greater speed.

Just as we must follow the rules of the road when driving, there are similar rules we must follow when using one of these people movers.

1.  Slower traffic stay to the right. Try to avoid planting yourself in the middle of a step or sidewalk. Others may need to get around you to pass.

2.  If you need to get past someone who is standing in the middle,simply say, “Excuse me, please”, before attempting to get around them.  Don’t nudge the person you’re trying to get around and then excuse yourself.  You may catch them off guard or knock them off balance.  Most of all, it’s impolite.

3.  Standers on the right, walkers on the left.

4.  Be aware of your backpack or briefcase so you don’t hit anyone with it.  If you accidently bump someone, say, “I’m sorry”, or “Excuse me”.

3. Remember, we can all work together on these transporters.  Dirty looks and stubborness do nothing but raise our blood pressure.

USPS Customer Service - Or Not

In today’s market, quality customer service can make or break your business. It’s imperative to listen to the customer and determine how you can best help them solve their problem.

Unfortunately, some businesses have an attitude they have their market cornered and don’t have to meet the customer’s needs in a polite and professional manner.

For example, consider the United States Postal Service. When was the last time they took a close look at their customer service policies? They continue to raise the cost of a stamp, but do nothing to enhance the value of the price increase in their services.

Just today, I contacted my local postmaster, Steven E. Stapleton in Xenia, OH, about a delivery problem. The carrier was driving over lawns and sprinkler heads in the neighborhood. I was told by the postmaster the carrier had the right, according to postal guidelines, to drive over private property in order to deliver the mail. He also told me the location of the sprinkler heads was stupid. Lookout lawncare professionals, USPS employees are now embarking on your territory!

When I mentioned previous carriers and paper delivery persons have not driven over the lawns, he said, “… some drivers are more experienced than others.” I would hope anyone with a drivers license is experienced enough to safely manuever their vehicle without damaging private propery!

It does not surpise me the United States Postal Service is hurting. Perhaps we should bring back the Pony Express. At least the horses would be friendly and appreciate an increase in carrots or sugar cubes.

Please feel free to share your postal concerns.