Etiquette Boss: Mind your manners

BUSINESS PROTOCOL FOR TEENS: There are many who gleefully assert that etiquette went out with the dodo bird, and there is little need for it in the 21^st century.

However, we still teach children to say “thank you” when given a gift, or “please” instead of “I want” when asking for a cookie.

Good manners remain the foundation of any civilized society. The next time CNN covers the arrival of a celebrated international guest, pay close attention to the courtesies that signal our rating as a good host.

Foreign leaders are greeted by others of similar standing. There is no waiting in immigration lines and no seating an ambassador next to a clerical employee at a state dinner. Proper protocol still rules, and the lack of it is sometimes never forgiven or forgotten.

College grads can learn a few simple protocols that can help advance instead of retard their careers. It is still considered good manners to stand when greeting  or saying goodbye to someone who has visited your office, unless the office has a very busy “in” and “out” type of environment.

If  your invited guest has to leave the function before you do, escort the person to the door, should conditions permit. In polite society, this is sometimes taken further and the guest is escorted outdoors to his or her car, and allowed to drive away before the host returns indoors.

In business introductions, the name of the person with the higher rank is always called first. However, in sales, the customer is considered higher in status than the CEO of the company. Therefore when making an introduction, the customer’s name is called first. Example:  “Mr. Jones, this is our CEO, John  Frank.  Mr. Frank, Mr. Jones is here to purchase 100 of our new ventilators.” Courtesy plus some basic protocol knowledge, is a winning combination.

BEAUTY TIPS:   Tone Naso-Labial Folds

It is said that parentheses look good on paper, but not on our faces…..so true. Some people think that nothing can be done about it, but that is not true.

Those folds can be toned if you are willing to put in the work. Sleeping on your side is a major culprit. Get into the habit of sleeping on your back. Secondly, insert clean forefingers into both ends of the mouth and pull slightly outward while pouting in a kissing motion. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat 10 times.

Phillipa Morrish is the president of Etiquette Training International.