Your life counts

LAST time we began talking about manners. Good manners is simply behaving in a way that is socially acceptable that reflects and displays respect, care, and consideration for others. 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 must be what we must endeavor to be known and associated with. You can never go wrong with good manners hence its worth aiming and striving for.

When discussing with people or when at a meeting your full attention must be seen to be in the discussion. Make eye contact with the person you are talking with. It is bad manners to be engaged in discussion with someone and you are at the same time looking around. Never interrupt a discussion without permission. In any civilized discussion two people do not talk at the same time. Turns should be taken so each party can properly hear and make appropriate comments, rebuttals or contributions when necessary.  “Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are.” Author Unknown

Never raise your voice even when upset. No temper tantrums or emotional outburst or silent treatment. “Whoever one is, and wherever one is, one is always in the wrong if one is rude.” Maurice Baring

The key to a fruitful discussion and relationship is to always put your best foot forward and to treat people nicely. "Building rapport begins with you. The entire process of building rapport is built on the foundation of concern, caring, compassion, interest, and a desire for the well-being of your customer." Kevin Hogan

Walking out on people is bad manners. Ensure a discussion is obviously concluded before making your exit. Always say thank you for the person’s time and pass a compliment if you can. It is important to respect people’s time and good manners demand that we always meet people with a purpose. We must be purpose oriented people. This means we must do the right thing at the right time in the right place with the right people. It is good manners to avoid private visits to offices and if it has to be done it must be done discreetly and with dispatch.

Your telephone use must always reflect you have good manners. Not returning calls, eating while on the phone, loud talking or shouting are all bad manners. Make sure to keep your phone’s ringer set to quiet or vibrate when in the office. It is bad manners to have your ringtone too loud that it is heard metres way from where you are. Also it is bad manners for your phone to ring loudly for so long before you pick it up either because you are not where your phone is or you are just sluggish in picking it up. Telephone conversations are mainly private conversations so avoid making shouting or talking too loud to disturb people around. If you are in an office that allows you to have private telephone conversations in the office, be considerate to either step outside or go to a quiet area so that your coworkers are not distracted by the conversation. Ideally prolonged private telephone conversation in the office is not right except in emergency situations. 

TO BE CONCLUDED

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