What Is Your Perception Of Etiquette?

As an etiquette expert, I do get many questions and comments about etiquette.
One of the basic comments I often hear people give is that etiquette is for the ultra affluent people.
Most of the time my response has been jokingly and yet seriously: 'then they must know something valuable that needs to be learned in order to succeed like them.'
So my question is this: What is your perception of etiquette? How important or useless do you believe etiquette is especially for your business success?

Tags: affluent., business, etiquette, ultra

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Neelakantan Sadasivan on June 20, 2009 at 7:16am: Hi ,dear friend!
Absolutely right you are!Good manners are basic to social existence.Etiquette goes one bold step farther in relationship management by winning over the customer/client/business partner.The customer is a passive partner today in any business growth.

Sadaboy (Dr Sadasivan); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vince Puleo - REALTOR on June 20, 2009 at 11:11am: I like Lisa's 1 Corinthians 9:22.

Etiquette, to me, is the norm. It is behavior. From the dinner table, to dress, to timing,to social interactions in a business or informal setting.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 7:41am: Yes Paulyih, etiquette as you rightly summed it is all about making people feel comfortable in your company and that includes knowing how things are done at particular places and time.
The thing is etiquette is ever changing and therefore the need for serious professionals to always find means to update and improve their professional etiquette.
Certainly like you said, addressing people is one big issue that has still not been taken seriously or is being acted in ignorance by some professionals.
This is another factor to know some level of inter cultural communication to help you know how to get along well with people of different cultures.
Thank you for your contribution.

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 7:47am: That is it Jim!
Many find the word etiquette 'stuffy' as you rightly said yet it is a fact of life that makes you get along well with others in order to succeed in life.
Surely, etiquette entails all you mentioned, professionalism, diplomacy tact, humor (when done right), intelligence, integrity and yes a lot more.
Yet these, without calling them etiquette, are all that people are overlooking and act unprofessional in many way which eventually affects their bottom line.
It has been very nice reading from you Jim, thank you!

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 7:50am: Beautifully said Dr Goodstone!
It is all about being politely authentic and creating an indelible, positive image and reputation.
Thank you!

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:04am: To me, Robert, etiquette must be seen as a way of life.
It is no use seeing them as just some set of rules,and I will repeat it as many times as I can.
Your ability to make people feel comfortable in your company is what is more important than just following rules blindly.
That does not mean that you have the license to misbehave, it does not also mean causing people to feel embarrassed or intimidated with your knowledge of the right thing.
With reference to addressing someone, different places have different was of addressing people that is why it is always a must to mention a title before a person's name when meeting for the first time and then you can further find out how the person would rather like you to call him or her.
As for good old spam, little said is better. However I will also agree and repeat here that spam is NEVER an accepted way of behavior be it spreading the good news or other!
I love your argument Robert!
Thanks for your contribution.

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:22am: Dear William,
I would like to refer to Ian McLauchlan's comment below because I also believe the same.
Etiquette certainly comes in two parts, the inherent and the rules.
Unfortunately some people just act in ignorance and others are just selfish and think only about themselves(my observation).
For the later, I sometimes feel it is a way of protection for themselves and their pride, thinking they can do whatever they want whenever they want because they have the power and the freedom to do so.
However they do not realize the ramifications of their actions.
Unfortunately, the technology age has also caused manners and etiquette to deteriorate dramatically and it is in our own interest to improve our manners and etiquette as adults and professionals whether we got the inherent etiquette or not, in order to achieve success in our lives.
Thank you and I appreciate your contribution.

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:33am: I agree so much with you Ian!
Having been brought up to parents who served in the diplomatic service for Ghana around the world, manners and etiquette was no choice for me but a MUST.
As a teenager and in my early adult life, I tried as much as possible to rebel but now I appreciate all the effort my parents put into not giving up on me and bringing me up the way the knew I will benefit from later in my matured life.
So just as you rightly said, I also do not see etiquette as just some set of rules (although I did in those rebellious years), they are our ability to yes, perceive any given situation and approach it with the appropriate etiquette.
However, etiquette is ever changing and it is the more reason why professionals need to constantly improve their etiquette in order to know how to administer it in any situation.
Thank you for your wisdom and clear explanation.

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:41am: You know what Dr Sadasivan, that was one correction I make to people who mistakenly assume etiquette is just for the rich and affluent because I know some rich people who have absolutely no idea what etiquette is all about.
I love the way you put it in the beginning, etiquette is what differentiates us--mankind--from the quadrupeds. That is so true!
Thank you for your contribution and I am humbled by your praise.

Regards
Marjorie
PS: By the way, Grace happened to be the name of my mother too, so how perfect.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:45am: Thank you for the quote Renee.
I really pray that some apostles and evangelists will rediscover this verse and abide by it because sometimes they make the word of God come across as desperate!
And I don't think we can win souls like that.
Thank you for your contribution Renee.

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:51am: Dear James,
I totally agree with you and that is why we, as responsible professional adults must gradually awaken the awareness of etiquette and manners in society again with how we behave individually.
As Ghandhi said and I paraphrase, we must be the change we want to see!
If not for our bottom line, then at least for generation to come.
It is about time we think about the kind of legacy we want to leave behind.

Thank you for your concise and honest contribution, James!

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marjorie Janczak on June 22, 2009 at 8:59am: Very true Laila!
There certainly are rich and affluent people who have no idea what etiquette is about and I find that most of those who do not pay attention to their etiquette are just selfish and proud.
However, the true savvy, seasoned and professional rich people know what it means to use the right etiquette at the right time.
Thank you very much for your contribution and for taking the time to come by and invite me.

Regards
Marjorie; ▶ Reply to This