>>66890754Etiquette for Gentlemen
In Social Etiquette, I have a secret for you – Women actually WANT to be treated like ladies, even if they aren’t acting like one at the moment. In all things, there are exceptions to the rule. 97% of women will absolutely love being treated in a courteous manner and, while being well-mannered, you may run across one of the 3% of snarlies who will chastise you for being polite. Oh well……..
Business etiquette is a different matter as the social order here is based on power. In this arena, men treat women as their equals, not in a chivalrous manner. Business etiquette is covered below in a separate section.
Social etiquette
Handshake
Look the person in the eye/smile/use a firm grip (not death grip) and a firm wrist (limp is pretty awful) /hold for no more than 2 or 3 seconds
Seating in crowded places
If seating is limited, and you are sitting, offer your seat to a woman who is standing (older woman takes precedence over a young woman)
Note to self – if the young woman is wise, she will offer her seat to the older woman and you may offer your seat to her.
Also appropriate is offering your seat to an older gentleman (before offering it to a younger woman)
Seating in restaurants and parties
Stand until the host/hostess tells you where to sit
Be sure to help the women in the party be seated before you take your own seat
Pull the chair out slightly so they may be seated easily
Help to slide the chair in gently to the table
Opening doors
Open doors for ladies, elders, anyone loaded down with packages
Open car doors for a woman to get into the car and out of the car (you may have to tell the young lady that you will open her door so she doesn’t catapult herself out of the car before you can get around to her side)
Helping with jacket/coat
When you see a lady putting on a coat or jacket, gently hold the coat by the collar/shoulder area and help her put it on (I say gently because women hate their clothes being bunched, scrunched or man-handled – sigh, sad but true)
Offers of help
When you see women doing anything, the following questions are usually always welcome:
May I help you with that?
May I carry that for you?
Coasters (filed under ‘Picky little stuff’)
Before you set a glass/bottle/dish on a table or desk, ask if your host would like you to use a coaster if you don’t see any available
Business Etiquette
Handshake
Look the person in the eye/smile/use a firm grip (not death grip) and a firm wrist (limp is pretty awful)/hold for no more than 2 or 3 seconds
Seating in crowded places
Offer the seat to an individual in a superior position to yours by saying, “Would you like to take this seat?”
Seating in restaurants and parties
Stand until the host/hostess tells you where to sit
Opening doors
Open doors for peers, superiors, clients, or anyone loaded down with items being carried
Coasters
Before you set a glass/bottle/dish on a table or desk, ask if your host would like you to use a coaster if you don’t see any available
