Etiquette School of Ohio

Putting Green Etiquette - Golf Etiquette

Here are a few putting green etiquette guidelines provided by the USGA.

1.  Avoid walking on another player’s line of putt or casting a shadow on that line, and the area extending beyond the hole, while the player is making a stroke.

2.  Do not cause a distraction by standing too close to the ball or hole.

3.  The first player to hole out should position himself/herself to replace the flag stick once play of the hole is completed.

4.  All players should remain on or close to the putting green until every player has holed out.

Your Phone Voice in the Office

When speaking on the phone in an office setting, make an effort to keep the volume of your voice down. This is especially critical in  open office spaces or those with cubicles.

Remember, your co-workers have their own work to focus on - not your telephone conversation.

Maintain Appropriate Subject Headings - E-mail Etiquette

When sending e-mail messages, be sure the subject heading is directly related to the topic of the conversation.

If you are communicating with someone about a topic and change that topic, change the subject heading as well and start a new thread.

If you are starting a new conversation through e-mail, do not open an old e-mail from that person, on a different topic, to send your new message.  Instead, start a new message.  Most e-mail programs will allow you to easily find your recipients address so you don’t need to use an old e-mail.

Receiving Line Order - Wedding Etiquette

There may be variations to receiving lines depending on who the official hosts of the wedding are, if the parents of the bride or groom are divorced, or if the wedding couple is older and/or this is not their first wedding.  All variances should be discussed in advance of the wedding day.

The receiving line order for a traditional ceremony is:

Mother of the bride

Father of the groom

Mother of the groom

Father of the bride

Bride

Groom

Maid or matron of honor

Best man (optional)

Bridesmaids

TV Off When Entertaining

Unless you’re having a party to specifically watch a sporting event, movie, or other show, the television should be turned off when entertaining guests.

Honking the Horn

Only use your vehicle horn if you are in a vehicle and need to alert others you pose a dangerous threat to them.

Sounding your vehicle horn does not remedy a traffic jam.

Sounding your horn to communicate your road rage may create a dangerous situation for others when you cause a distraction.

Do not sound your horn in a hospital zone or during hours when people are typically sleeping unless it is an emergency.

How To Use A Wedge Of Lemon

If you are served a wedge of lemon to flavor tea, iced tea, fish, or other foods, you may want to squeeze the lemon in the drink or on the food.

Gently squeeze the juice of  the lemon on the desired food while shielding it with your other hand to prevent it from squirting elsewhere.  You may then drop the lemon wedge in your cup or glass if you are flavoring a beverage or place it on the edge of your plate.  It is preferable to place it on your bread plate if you have one at your place setting.

Be A Good Sport

No one likes to be around a poor loser or a gloating winner.  It’s important to use good etiquette skills when playing sports.

To be a good loser:

1. Thank the other player or team members for playing a good game.  Remember, you wouldn’t have had a game to play if they weren’t there.

2.  Don’t call the winning team names.

3.  Remain poised and calm after the game rather than stomping off the court or field.

4.  Promise yourself you will practice to play better next time.

To be a good winner:

1. Thank the other player or team members for playing a good game.

2.  Don’t gloat about your win. It’s good to be happy, but save the big celebration for when you’re with friends and family.

3.  Don’t be too confident about the win. Anything can happen the next time around.

Arrive Before the Bride

When attending a wedding ceremony, it is proper etiquette to arrive before the bride walks down the aisle.

I recently attended a ceremony where the wedding coordinator had to lock the church doors as the bride began to take her walk so guests arriving late would not distract from this special moment or be captured in photos and videos.

Try to arrive at the ceremony fifteen to thirty minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Do Not Wander When Dining Out

While on a date or dining with a group, do not leave your table to wander around the restaurant and visit with others. It’s acceptable to excuse yourself from the table to visit the restroom, but make it a direct trip.

I was dining with a group of people this past weekend, and a member of our party left the table and was absent for a significant period of time.  As I gazed around the restaurant out of concern for this person, I saw them at the bar socializing.  Several other people from our table also noticed the reason for the absence.

Such an action communicates a message you would rather socialize with people other than the people you made a commitment to dine with.  In short, it’s rude and reflects a poor image.