WHY SOCIAL ETIQUETTE?

Social etiquette practices will teach you how to confidently navigate all kinds of social situations. How to carry yourself as well as your sense of mannerism which plays a big role in the first impression you make in any social setting.

Humans as social animals are expected to follow certain norms that facilitate interpersonal relationships and the ability to coexist in harmony.

What is Social Etiquette?

 Social Etiquette simply refers to the behaviours you resort to in social situations - interactions with your family, friends, coworkers  or strangers. Social etiquette helps form how you are perceived by others. It does not only help create a long lasting impression but could also help build lifelong relationships and create lucrative opportunities for you.

Think about saying "sorry" or "excuse me" immediately after sneezing, holding the door for someone in front of or behind you, or even simply remembering people's names and apologizing to them to be reminded if you forget, these make people feel good right?

Why social etiquette?

While social etiquette might seem like an endless list of unnecessary rules that they are, it's good to follow them as they eventually will benefit you and everyone around you. Some of the reasons for social etiquette are that: 

1) It helps you to look kind and approachable, which encourages others to want to interact with you.

2) Makes interactions easy. Social etiquette fosters easy interactions between people and lessen unnecessary drama and confrontation which may arise from misunderstandings.

3) It makes a good impression, especially in professional settings and work places. This, even more, create the chances of people coming back to establish a level of rapport and possibly easily introduce beneficial opportunities to you, eventually.

4) Manifesting social etiquette shows people how to behave. Sometimes people wouldn't know how to behave in certain situations within or outside social circle and so when they arrive at a point where they have to question their behavior, etiquette previously learned acts as a good reference.

Here are a list of general social etiquette necessary for you to know:

1) Do introduce people. You are with a friend and you randomly run into someone you know and they don't, do introduce them to each other.

2) Offer to clean up when someone else cooks. It is always polite to at least ask to help when someone does the cooking for you or both of you.

3) Endeavour to make eye contact when you are having a conversation with someone. It shows that you have confidence and that you respect the other person.

4) Do not invite extra guests to events without asking.

5) When you listen to something on your phone, do so with your headphones in. Everyone shouldn't be forced to listen to it. 

6) Be punctual. Being late on a regular basis doesn't speak well.

7) Avoid pointing at people. It signals that you are gossiping about the person which they will find offensive.

8) Learn to say "please", " thank you" and "excuse me" when the situation calls for it.

10) Stop texting while talking to someone. It shows disrespect to the other person, and if you have to answer a call or text, excuse yourself to do it.