Etiquette School of Ohio

Socks - Professional Attire

The color of your socks should coordinate with your slacks. If you are wearing black slacks, wear black socks.  Brown socks are a smart choice to wear with brown slacks.

Do not wear white socks in a professional setting. White socks are only appropriately worn with white slacks or athletic apparel.

Also, make sure your socks are long enough so your skin cannot be seen when sitting or crossing your legs.

Obscene Language in the Office

Obscene language is never appropriate in the office environment or any professional setting.  If you let obscenities fly, you may offend someone or ruin your opportunity for promotion.

Are you obligated to give a gift to a couple who elopes?

If you receive an announcement of an elopement, you are not obligated to send a wedding gift.  If you are close to the wedding couple, you may want to send a wedding gift to share in their celebration.

Recycle Wedding Flowers

Rather than throwing wedding floral arrangements away, consider sending them to a nearby nursing home or hospital after the reception.  The residents or patients would enjoy looking at them.  Receiving flowers always lifts a person’s spirits.

Dress a Step Up - Interview Technique

There is a saying, “Dress for the job you want to be promoted to, not the job you’re interviewing for.”

If the Director of Sales wears a suit and tie or business suit to the office, you should wear a suit and tie or business suit to the interview even though you are interviewing for a salesperson who usually wears slacks and an open collar shirt or a skirt and blouse.

Research the company you are interviewing with before the interview and find out what the dress code is.  Always dress a little sharper than the normal day to day attire of the company.

It doesn’t hurt to follow this rule on a regular basis if you want to be considered for a promotion.  Allow management to visualize you in the new position.

Example of a Condolence Note - Funeral Etiquette

One of the most difficult things to write is a condolence note.  However, it is one of the most appreciative things you can do for a family at a time of loss.

A handwritten note is much better than a pre-printed card.  If you must send a pre-printed card, write a few lines of your own in the card.

Keep the note brief.  Never offer your sympathy in an e-mail.

Try to personalize the note.  We frequently hear or read the words, “With deepest sympathy at this time of loss”, but be more specific.  Use the name of the deceased loved one or refer to them as husband, father, or sister.

Dear Rebecca,

I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death.  There is little anyone can say at a difficult time like this.  Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Sandy Hyde

If you knew the deceased person very well, mention something about your connection.  I was very touched by the following words written at the time of my father’s death.

“Mike was one of the most dependable people I ever worked with.  He was not only my mentor, but a loyal friend.  His dedication to preserve justice in our town will not be forgotten.“

Be cautious of using words that are not factual.  For example: “I know how you feel.”  Do you?  “You were so happy together.”  Were they?  “He’s in a much better place now.”  Is he?

The focus of the letter should be about the deceased not your past experience with death or illness or how you assume the family is dealing with the grief.

Responsibilities of an Usher - Wedding Etiquette

If you are asked to be an usher in a wedding, the groom or couple most likely asked you because they value your relationship, trust you, and respect you.  It is an honor to be involved in the most celebrated ceremony in a couple’s lifetime together.

As an usher, you have the following responsibilities:

1) Dress in specific clothing selected by the wedding couple.  You may have to rent a tuxedo.

2) Attend any pre-wedding parties you are invited to.

3) Seat the wedding guests.

4) Placing the white liner in the aisle for the bride to walk on.

5) Run any last minute errands for the groom or wedding couple.

6) Sit at the bridal table during the reception if there is one.

7) Pose for wedding pictures.

Dance with the bridesmaids.

9) Contribute to an usher’s wedding gift.

10) Make sure everything runs smoothly for the wedding couple.

Tipping the Hotel Bellman

If a bellman helps you with your luggage, he or she should be tipped $1 for each bag.  Never tip less than a total of $2.

For example, if the bellman helps you with only one bag, tip a minimum of $2.

If the bellman helps you with five bags, tip a minimum of $5.

Of course, if the bellman does an outstanding job to help you get settled in your room, do not limit yourself to tipping only $1 per bag.

Wedding Invitations - Inviting a Single Person and Their Guest

If you are inviting a single man or woman to your wedding, it is not mandatory, but quite polite to invite them to bring a guest.  If you know they are in a serious relationship with someone, then you should invite both of them to your wedding.

If you know both of the individuals involved in the relationship, and they live separately, send each of them an invitation addressed specifically to them.

and

If the couple lives together, write their names separately on the same invitation.

If you don’t know the person your guest is dating, send an invitation with their name and guest written on it.

If you receive an invitation that does not include a guest, you should not bring one.  No exceptions.

What Does “A`la carte” Mean?

A`la carte means each item on the menu is priced separately.

For example, if you order a steak and want a salad and twice baked potato as well, you will be charged a separate price for each item ordered.