Top 3 Political Etiquette Rules for 2016

No other event in recent history has brought about such an outpouring of powerful, opposing opinions as the 2016 Presidential Election. There is a frantic spewing of self serving attacks from both sides of the ticket. Passionate, political candidate supporters and condemners are more vocal than ever before. Scroll through social media feeds and you encounter post after post representing some of the worst political behaviors and communications we have seen in United States history.

We are blessed to live in a country that allows us to speak freely, however, we seem to have forgotten basic kindness, manners, and the appropriate behaviors of a civilized society. Don't allow the political climate to bring out the worst in you. In the  words of Michelle Obama, "When they go low, we go high."

Etiquette is all about how we make others feel in our presence; it's about behaving as expected in a given situation and using appropriate language so that others are comfortable. As a reminder to us all, here is a list of the Top 3 Political Etiquette Rules for 2016.

1. Express your positive opinion for your candidate of choice. To influence others, site examples that support what you like about your candidate. The rules of influence and sales are closely related, so if you want to 'sell' your candidate to others, share the benefits and value your candidate brings to the Office. There is no need to slam who you oppose. Remember what you learned in kindergarten? If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!
2. Respect the opinions of others. You don't have to agree with what others are saying or posting, however, respecting their right to free speech is necessary. Be open to what others have to say and you just might be surprised at what you learn and how your own opinions are altered.  If you find certain opinions too upsetting, simply avoid listening to or reading them. 
3. Hold your tongue. One of the problems with social media is that we can react immediately without stopping to think first and we can do this while hiding behind a screen. Ask yourself: Would I say this face to face? In front of my mother or children? In my place of worship? How will my words affect others? Once you hit post, your words are forever out there, never to be forgotten. 

©Professional Etiquette Consulting LLC

Top 10 Business Etiquette Essentials

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What is Ruder than Not Responding to a RSVP?

R.S.V.P. stands for "répondez, s'il vous plaît," a French phrase, meaning "please reply." This acronym is commonly found on invitations to any number of formal and informal gatherings. It is a simple request from the host/hostess to aid them in planning the event for the comfort and enjoyment of their guests.

There are a few common variations of this request: ‘RSVP’, ‘Regrets Only’, and ‘Please Reply with Number of Guests’. Usually a date, or deadline, is associated with the need for a response. Additionally, the invitation will tell guests how to respond: email, phone, text, social media, etcetera. Regardless of how a request for a response is worded, it is expected that the recipient will reply on time and in the manner which was requested.

Also keep in mind who the invitation was extended to; in other words, only those specifically addressed on the invitation are invited. The recipient should not assume they can bring a date, friend, or children unless the invite specifically says so!

Do all invitations require a response? Certainly not. However, if you are asked to R.S.V.P., it is common courtesy to let the host/hostess know if you will attend the event or not.

Imagine you are the party or event planner. You need to make arrangements for the proper number of seats, the appropriate amount of food and beverages. These things must be ordered or shopped for in advance. If you are using a caterer, they likely require a final head count a week in advance. If you are preparing the food yourself, it takes time to plan the menu, make a shopping list, purchase all necessary ingredients, prepare the food, and make a seating chart. Therefore, it is important to know how many guests to expect.

Now, imagine it is one week before your event, the R.S.V.P. due date, and you have only heard back from four out of 25 invited guests. What do you do? Prepare food for four guests? Prepare food for 25 guests? Set the table for four? Arrange for seating for 25? Purchase two bottles of wine or a case of wine? Use your china because you own eight place settings? Rent table ware for 25?

As you can see, there are a number of important reasons to respond to an invitation when asked. So, what is ruder than NOT replying? Asking the host/hostess after the RSVP deadline if you can still attend the event is ruder. They have already assumed you are not attending because of your lack of a timely response and have planned accordingly. Now there may be a need to rearrange plans to accommodate extra people.

So, what is ruder than NOT replying or replying late with the expectation you are still welcome? Showing up unexpected is ruder and derails all the planning. The host/hostess must take the attention off of those who were expected (because they replied) to find seating, food, beverages, plates, and glasses for the extra, unexpected guest.

Do not ever assume that one more person doesn’t matter. If five people show up with that attitude, it just may be the host/hostess that have to go without in order to make the unexpected guests feel welcome. Rude behavior will be remembered and the offender’s image and reputation will be affected.

Be polite, graciously accept or decline invitations by the date requested, and in the manner requested.

©Professional Etiquette Consulting LLC

3 Places Your Name Tag Does NOT Belong

The wearing of name tags is a necessary, business etiquette requirement in many situations such as, networking events, seminars, large business meetings, and training workshops. Few people recognize the importance of a properly placed name tag which cause a number of uncomfortable predicaments.

1. Your name tag does not belong on a strap around your neck. Multi-day business conferences are   probably the most likely occasion for this faux pas. I know, the event coordinators believe they are providing relief from the cheap stick-on name tags that fall off and seem to make their way to the floor or someone else’s shoe. Or perhaps attendees are being saved from the pin-on varieties that almost always snag and ruin several outfits.

So what is left? A necklace of questionable quality from which a 5X7, plastic encased card hangs. Perhaps it could serve as a souvenir from the event. I digress. The point is; this type of name tag invariably gets twisted around so that the name is no longer visible to the person standing in front of you – purpose lost! Or, the tag sits directly in the middle of your chest; this is not a preferred location to stare at a woman while trying to read her name. Please mind your manners.

2. A name tag does not belong on your belt or the band of your pants/trousers. It’s just uncomfortable staring at a man’s middle section trying to read his name. This location is also further from your eyes, so if you are already having a hard time seeing the font size, now you need to stare longer. Again, manners should prevail.

3. Finally, a name tag does not belong on your left shoulder. This will cause your eyes to shift back and forth across the body and could be misinterpreted as ‘checking out’ the other person.

Where does your name tag belong? Proper business etiquette says your right side, slightly below your shoulder is the correct location. The reason for this is because everyone, even lefties, shake hands with their right hand. It is a natural flow for eyes to travel from the extended right hand, up to the right shoulder, and continue on to meet the eyes of the other person.

Save yourself from the etiquette misstep of improper name tag placement, locate your name tag on your right side, it’s the right way!

©Professional Etiquette Consulting LLC