Your life counts

We have been talking about manners in the last few weeks. We have seen that bad manners will result in one being rebuffed and consequently the doors that should normally open will be shut. Bad manners have a way of negatively affecting one’s reputation. A person with good manners is more likely to be respected, accepted and offered easier access to opportunities than a person that has no manners or exhibits bad manners. “Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.” Clarence Thomas

We have also seen the way good manners should be exhibited in visiting someone’s office and we have looked at good manners in telephone use. There is a way to comport yourself that can reflect whether you have manners or not. The way you dress speaks volumes about you. Some kinds of dressing can be equated to you not having manners. There are particular dresses that fit particular occasions and you cannot afford to get it wrong. “Wearing the correct dress for any occasion is a matter of good manners.” Loretta Young

Sloppy appearance, unclean clothing, revealing clothes are a no go area. You cannot wear casual clothes to an office except that is the norm in that office. You need to understand that the first way you will be assessed is by your appearance. The second basis of your assessment is what you say. If your appearance is bad then you have set yourself up for a tough ride with the person you are meeting. Do not make life difficult for yourself by having “great stuff upstairs” but having a sloppy, careless and unbefitting appearance.

Most of us spend the bulk of our waking hours in the office. In an office environment office decorum must be maintained. Good manners means we should not engage in inappropriate behavior no matter how popular it might be. Lateness to work, taking telephone calls when attending to a customer, gossiping, bad-mouthing the management, checking private emails, spending time in your facebook page, being rude to people, using inappropriate language, yawning or coughing with mouth uncovered, walking in the office barefooted (because your high heel shoes are uncomfortable to wear for a prolonged time) are among many bad habits that reflect bad manners.

Interrupting people at work, snooping, reading others faxes, email, computer screen, or mail are all bad manners to be avoided. Not keeping to deadlines and being sloppy in appearance and at work are bad habits and manners to avoid. If you are a staff dealing with and having contact with clients and customers good manners dictate you serve them with courtesy, smiles and visible appreciation for their custom. Good manners is a vital key to helping customers and clients advertise the business. “Civility costs nothing and buys everything.” Mary Wortley Montague

Good manners does not mean we cannot disagree with people or have contrary views and opinion but good manners means when we do we are graceful about it.

“We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.” Voltaire

If your life will count you must strive to improve on your manners. “I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted.” Og Mandino

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