Curious About Social Etiquette? Discover Timeless Do's and Don'ts for Gentlemen and Ladies

M.Peer Mohamed Sardhar
Etiquette is something everyone needs to know.

For everyone:
When friends come to call on you, don't look at your watch, lest they think you desire them to leave.
NEVER pick the teeth, scratch the head, blow the nose, or clean your nails in company.
Never correct a person publicly.
Do not laugh at funny things being said until the climax is reached.
Do not go into public smelling of onions or garlic.
"It is not polite at a wedding to congratulate the bride. She should receive wishes for her future happiness. The bridegroom is the one who is to be congratulated; he is the fortunate one."
A husband and wife should not play cards together, nor should two persons be partners in every game.
Always be on time.
"Do not laugh at your own wit, allow others to do it."

Gentlemen:
Do not place your arm on the back of a chair occupied by a woman.
During a walk in the country, climbing a hill, or walking along a stream, if the lady is tired and sits upon the ground, do not seat yourself next to her. Remain standing until she is rested.
"A gentleman never swaggers along the street, shouting or laughing with his companions, his hat on one side, a cigar between his fingers, or switching a cane to the danger or discomfort of passers-by."
If he's smoking and a lady passes by, he removes the cigar from his mouth.
When escorting a woman in the daytime, he does not offer her his arm unless she is old or ill unless for the purpose of protecting her in a large crowd.
He should not monopolize the umbrella when with two ladies in the rain. He should take the outside, holding it over them.
If attending a lady in the evening, he should offer his arm. If he has the care of two ladies, he should give his arm to one, and the ladies should walk on the same side of him.
When entering a room with ladies, he removes his hat. When he meets a lady friend, he should raise his hat gracefully.
A gentleman holds the door open for a lady. He precedes the lady in ascending the stairs and allows her to precede in descending them.
"When a gentleman meets a lady friend with whom he wishes to converse, he does not make her stand on the street, but walks with her a short distance until he has said what he desired to, and then leaves her with a courteous bow."
When on the street, the gentleman should always carry the packages....and the husband should always carry the baby.
He should never smoke where ladies are present under any circumstances.
Do not shake a lady's hand in a manner that would annoy her or hurt her fingers.
Accompany your wife to the church of her choice.

For the Ladies:
A lady should always walk in an easy, unassuming manner, neither looking left nor right. If anything in a store window attracts her attention, she may stop and examine it, and then continue her walk.
A lady does not giggle or whisper in public. Talking loudly is "inexcusable" at all times.
Never "cut" a person in public. If there are reasons you wish to discontinue the acquaintance, turn your head before meeting.
When bowing on the street, the lady should merely incline her head gracefully, never her body, and should smile pleasantly.
She must never let a male talk to her in a slangy manner, touch her on the shoulder, or call her by her first name in front of strangers.
"A lady at a ball should not burden a gentleman with her gloves, fan, and bouquet to hold while she dances unless he is her husband or brother."
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M.Peer Mohamed Sardhar
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aish.chandra
Hi, thank you for submitting your text for review. Here are the corrections for the provided content:

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Will you help me to tell how to write an appointment letter, interview letter, and charge sheet (domestic inquiry)?

Etiquette is something everyone needs to know.

For everyone:
- When friends come to call on you, don't look at your watch, lest they think you desire them to leave.
- NEVER pick the teeth, scratch the head, blow the nose, or clean your nails in company.
- Never correct a person publicly.
- Do not laugh at funny things being said until the climax is reached.
- Do not go into public smelling of onions or garlic.
- "It is not polite at a wedding to congratulate the bride. She should receive wishes for her future happiness. The bridegroom is the one who is to be congratulated; he is the fortunate one."
- A husband and wife should not play cards together, nor should two persons be partners in every game.
- Always be on time.
- "Do not laugh at your own wit, allow others to do it."

Gentlemen:
- Do not place your arm on the back of a chair occupied by a woman.
- During a walk in the country, climbing a hill, or walking along a stream, if the lady is tired and sits upon the ground, do not seat yourself next to her. Remain standing until she is rested.
- "A gentleman never swaggers along the street, shouting or laughing with his companions, his hat on one side, a cigar between his fingers, or switching a cane to the danger or discomfort of passers-by."
- If he's smoking and a lady passes by, he removes the cigar from his mouth.
- When escorting a woman in the daytime, he does not offer her his arm unless she is old or ill unless for the purpose of protecting her in a large crowd.
- He should not monopolize the umbrella when with two ladies in the rain. He should take the outside, holding it over them.
- If attending a lady in the evening, he should offer his arm. If he has the care of two ladies, he should give his arm to one, and the ladies should walk on the same side of him.
- When entering a room with ladies, he removes his hat. When he meets a lady friend, he should raise his hat gracefully.
- A gentleman holds the door open for a lady. He precedes the lady in ascending the stairs and allows her to precede in descending them.
- "When a gentleman meets a lady friend with whom he wishes to converse, he does not make her stand on the street but walks with her a short distance until he has said what he desired to, and then leaves her with a courteous bow."
- When on the street, the gentleman should always carry the packages...and the husband should always carry the baby.
- He should never smoke where ladies are present under any circumstances.
- Do not shake a lady's hand in a manner that would annoy her or hurt her fingers.
- Accompany your wife to the church of her choice.

For the Ladies:
- A lady should always walk in an easy, unassuming manner, neither looking left nor right. If anything in a store window attracts her attention, she may stop and examine it and then continue her walk.
- A lady does not giggle or whisper in public. Talking loudly is "inexcusable" at all times.
- Never "cut" a person in public. If there are reasons you wish to discontinue the acquaintance, turn your head before meeting.
- When bowing on the street, the lady should merely incline her head gracefully, never her body, and should smile pleasantly.
- She must never let a male talk to her in a slangy manner, touch her on the shoulder, or call her by her first name in front of strangers.
- "A lady at a ball should not burden a gentleman with her gloves, fan, and bouquet to hold while she dances unless he is her husband or brother."

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I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and formatting of the text. Let me know if you need any more assistance!
Franklyne
Mr. Sardhar,

Good compilation! However, I personally feel that it is more westernized! Maybe people need to know how to behave when they go abroad. Some simple manners need to be taught right at home to our children. The learning process never ends, anyway.

Great work.

Thanks,
Franklyne
HR Deepak
Dear M. Peer Mohamed,

I am very happy after getting your postings on etiquettes. Please tell me, Peer, what motivates you for posting on Cite HR. I am an HR student and conducting research on that.

With regards,
Deepak
HR Management Trainee
+91-9343516801

Etiquette is something everyone needs to know.

For everyone:
- When friends come to call on you, don't look at your watch, lest they think you desire them to leave.
- NEVER pick the teeth, scratch the head, blow the nose, or clean your nails in company.
- Never correct a person publicly.
- Do not laugh at funny things being said until the climax is reached.
- Do not go into public smelling of onions or garlic.
- "It is not polite at a wedding to congratulate the bride. She should receive wishes for her future happiness. The bridegroom is the one who is to be congratulated; he is the fortunate one."
- A husband and wife should not play cards together, nor should two persons be partners in every game.
- Always be on time.
- "Do not laugh at your own wit, allow others to do it."

Gentlemen:
- Do not place your arm on the back of a chair occupied by a woman.
- During a walk in the country, climbing a hill, or walking along a stream, if the lady is tired and sits upon the ground, do not seat yourself next to her. Remain standing until she is rested.
- "A gentleman never swaggers along the street, shouting or laughing with his companions, his hat on one side, a cigar between his fingers, or switching a cane to the danger or discomfort of passers-by."
- If he's smoking and a lady passes by, he removes the cigar from his mouth.
- When escorting a woman in the daytime, he does not offer her his arm unless she is old or ill unless for the purpose of protecting her in a large crowd.
- He should not monopolize the umbrella when with two ladies in the rain. He should take the outside, holding it over them.
- If attending a lady in the evening, he should offer his arm. If he has the care of two ladies, he should give his arm to one and the ladies should walk on the same side of him.
- When entering a room with ladies, he removes his hat. When he meets a lady friend, he should raise his hat gracefully.
- A gentleman holds the door open for a lady. He precedes the lady in ascending the stairs and allows her to precede in descending them.
- "When a gentleman meets a lady friend with whom he wishes to converse, he does not make her stand on the street, but walks with her a short distance until he has said what he desired to, and then leaves her with a courteous bow."
- When on the street, the gentleman should always carry the packages... and the husband should always carry the baby.
- He should never smoke where ladies are present under any circumstances.
- Do not shake a lady's hand in a manner that would annoy her or hurt her fingers.
- Accompany your wife to the church of her choice.

For the Ladies:
- A lady should always walk in an easy, unassuming manner, neither looking left nor right. If anything in a store window attracts her attention, she may stop and examine it, and then continue her walk.
- A lady does not giggle or whisper in public. Talking loudly is "inexcusable" at all times.
- Never "cut" a person in public. If there are reasons you wish to discontinue the acquaintance, turn your head before meeting.
- When bowing on the street, the lady should merely incline her head gracefully, never her body, and should smile pleasantly.
- She must never let a male talk to her in a slangy manner, touch her on the shoulder, or call her by her first name in front of strangers.
- "A lady at a ball should not burden a gentleman with her gloves, fan, and bouquet to hold while she dances unless he is her husband or brother."
krishd169
Dear Mr. Sardhar,

I want to know that if a company asks you to formulate and implement a new HR policy and gives a time frame to implement it, what should be done? I would be grateful if you could help me with this.

Best regards,
Krishna
shweta bakhshi
Adding to it, Etiquettes when sharing public facilities:

ELEVATOR ETIQUETTE

Etiquette tips for those waiting to enter the elevator:

1. If you or someone has already pushed the button, do not press the button again. Re-pushing the button does not bring the lift to your floor faster.

2. While most people know that you press the 'UP' button to go up and the 'DOWN' button to go down, you'd be surprised to see how many people do the opposite! Do not press both the buttons.

3. Please take your place if a queue is already formed. It is rude to push ahead.

4. Do not form a queue in front of the doors, and do not stand in front of the buttons.

5. Please allow those exiting the elevator to get out first. If you accidentally get in the way of an exiting user, step back and apologize at once.

6. Enter the elevator in an orderly manner, as per your position in the queue.

7. If you have pushed the button to stop the elevator on your floor, be ready to get inside as soon as it arrives. It is rude to make those inside wait until you conclude your conversation with someone who is not going to board the lift.

8. Help and allow those who are disabled, or may be in a wheelchair, or carrying a large packet in their arms or someone with a stroller to board before you.

Etiquette tips for those inside the elevator:

1. In a crowded lift, if you are unable to reach the button panel, it is okay to ask (request) someone else to press a button for you. Don't forget to thank them.

2. If you happen to be standing close to the panel, graciously take the responsibility of pressing the buttons for those who are unable to reach the panel.

3. When you enter, move to the back if your floor is one of the last, and of course, if it is possible to do so.

4. If a crowded elevator stops at a floor before yours, and you happen to be near the doors, shuffle to one side of the elevator for an easy exit of others who are getting off. If it becomes necessary to step out, stand near the door, hand stretched out to ensure that the door doesn't close before you can quickly step in.

5. Some elevator doors close quickly. If you are inside and see the door closing even as people are entering, hold the door so that it does not shut on their faces.

6. If the lift is not crowded, do not stand close to others.

7. If you have children with you, ensure that they do not play with the floor buttons or create a racket in the confined space of the lift.

8. It is discourteous to hold the 'Door Close' button at the same time you press your floor button. You will reach your floor non-stop, but it is inconsiderate for those wishing to get off or on at intermediate floors.

9. If you are inside and see someone running towards the lift, do your best to hold the door for them.

Etiquette tips for those exiting the elevator:

1. Get off quickly when your floor arrives.

2. If you are too far back and your floor arrives, do not push your way out. Merely say, "Excuse me, please." People will shuffle towards the lift walls and give way.

3. Do not make others in the lift wait while you complete your conversation with someone who is not getting off at the same floor as you.

As said, Good Manners in all situations are important as they help in improving interpersonal relationships and creating a pleasant environment. Hope we all try to follow what has been shared by our senior member.

Thanks & Regards

Shweta
AANIYAAN
Dear Mr. Peer Mohammad,

I have gone through your write-up on etiquette. Highly informative and useful. Thank you very much for posting the same. With best wishes,
Aniyan T.R.

"Etiquette is something everyone needs to know"

For everyone:
When friends come to call on you, don't look at your watch, lest they think you desire them to leave.
NEVER pick the teeth, scratch the head, blow the nose, or clean your nails in company.
Never correct a person publicly.
Do not laugh at funny things being said until the climax is reached.
Do not go into public smelling of onions or garlic.
"It is not polite at a wedding to congratulate the bride. She should receive wishes for her future happiness. The bridegroom is the one who is to be congratulated; he is the fortunate one."
A husband and wife should not play cards together, nor should two persons be partners in every game.
Always be on time.
"Do not laugh at your own wit, allow others to do it."

Gentlemen:
Do not place your arm on the back of a chair occupied by a woman.
During a walk in the country, climbing a hill, or walking along a stream, if the lady is tired and sits upon the ground, do not seat yourself next to her. Remain standing until she is rested.
"A gentleman never swaggers along the street, shouting or laughing with his companions, his hat on one side, a cigar between his fingers, or switching a cane to the danger or discomfort of passers-by."
If he's smoking and a lady passes by, he removes the cigar from his mouth.
When escorting a woman in the daytime, he does not offer her his arm unless she is old or ill unless for the purpose of protecting her in a large crowd.
He should not monopolize the umbrella when with two ladies in the rain. He should take the outside, holding it over them.
If attending a lady in the evening, he should offer his arm. If he has the care of two ladies, he should give his arm to one, and the ladies should walk on the same side of him.
When entering a room with ladies, he removes his hat. When he meets a lady friend, he should raise his hat gracefully.
A gentleman holds the door open for a lady. He precedes the lady in ascending the stairs and allows her to precede in descending them.
"When a gentleman meets a lady friend with whom he wishes to converse, he does not make her stand on the street but walks with her a short distance until he has said what he desired to, and then leaves her with a courteous bow."
When on the street, the gentleman should always carry the packages... and the husband should always carry the baby.
He should never smoke where ladies are present under any circumstances.
Do not shake a lady's hand in a manner that would annoy her or hurt her fingers.
Accompany your wife to the church of her choice.

For the Ladies:
A lady should always walk in an easy, unassuming manner, neither looking left nor right. If anything in a store window attracts her attention, she may stop and examine it, and then continue her walk.
A lady does not giggle or whisper in public. Talking loudly is "inexcusable" at all times.
Never "cut" a person in public. If there are reasons you wish to discontinue the acquaintance, turn your head before meeting.
When bowing on the street, the lady should merely incline her head gracefully, never her body, and should smile pleasantly.
She must never let a male talk to her in a slangy manner, touch her on the shoulder, or call her by her first name in front of strangers.
"A lady at a ball should not burden a gentleman with her gloves, fan, and bouquet to hold while she dances unless he is her husband or brother."
fascinus
Hi!

Thanks a lot for your effort, Sir.

It's good and very useful in today's world. People are taking everything for granted, and I think this will prove very helpful.

Thanks again.
pallavishri
Hi Peer,

The Telephone Etiquette presentation (1.13 MB) that you have uploaded here is not opening. Is there any other way to access it?

Regards,
Pallavi
pallavishri
Hi Peer,

You know so much about the "Etiquettes" piece. Would you be able to share some exercises that can be given to the participants in an "E-Mail Etiquettes" Training? Or if you could suggest any website/link where I can get some good exercises on Email Etiquettes?

Regards,
Pallavi
RANG
Dear Peer Mohamed Sardhar,

It's really interesting. Everyone knows how to behave with people, but no one is trying to follow. I think it will help for that one.

I really appreciate you.

Keep posting.
surens
I need to train Customer Support representatives on do's and don'ts on online chat. Please provide PowerPoint presentations and documents with examples that will be helpful to train them easily.
rani-pothireddy
Can someone please share email etiquette dos and don'ts with examples?

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I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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