When I hear clack-clack clack-clack — the telltale sign of longboarders approaching from behind me — I tense up, waiting for them to hit me. It’s worse when a silent bicyclist passes me, mere inches away, and I start to consider what would have happened if I had leaned over just a little, if I had stepped around something, if I had made a theatrical [click here to read the rest of the post]

Here are a few more rules to text by:

• Short and sweet.

• Text when you need me.

• Be clear. Text full words.

• Be careful of what you say about third parties. Texts may be passed on or read or posted by others.

• Be responsive but not rude. Texting should be done when you have the private time and space, not in meetings or while others are talking (like you do).

• Be mannerly. If you want to respond to a text, and you’re in a conversation with others, ask for permission. Join the revolution. As a nation, less than 75 percent are actively texting. But that’s a misleading number. More than 90 percent of kids text, while only 20 percent of people over 45 text.  [read the entire text]

Women wearing trousers? All right, if they have to. Men giving up ties? It had to come, perhaps. But abandoning the knife and fork as eating utensils? Is nothing sacred?  [Read More]

Do they take their smart phones with them when they get up from the table to go to the restroom — and do they take an awful lot of trips there?

Do you receive messages from them while you know they are driving (increasingly being banned in state after state), or at midnight on Saturday night?

Do they come up with excuses in the middle of a conversation to pull out their smart phone — something like “let me jot something you said down so I don’t forget it,” and then sneak a look at all their messages?

Are they suffering from sprained or elongated thumbs?

Do they openly use their smart phones in inappropriate places, such as first dates, at Rosh Hashanah or Christmas dinner, in hospital delivery rooms, or on job interviews?

If your “friend” fits four out of five of these, then he or she is a Smartphoniac. If he fits only two or three of them, he is just another typical user who stays connected on the street, in meetings and at the movies. (read the rest of this article here)

Etiquette Avenue is the address for the “operating rules” for today’s workplace and your business-related social events. On Etiquette Avenue, you will acquire the skills that you need in a competitive world. Whether it is correct introductions, how to hold a wine glass, or chair a meeting, we have you covered!

To the Editor:

I am an executive coach who is working with professionals who are trying to either keep their jobs or find new jobs in this difficult economy. You made some interesting observations in “At Meetings, It’s Mind Your BlackBerry or Mind Your Manners” (front page, June 22).

The practice of using a BlackBerry or other electronic device in business meetings is part of a larger issue — the loss of politeness and manners in a 24/7 business environment.

I was told by a client, who is a former board member of a large cosmetics company and now a venture capitalist, that she had decided to refuse to help fellow alumni from her prestigious university. When I asked why, she explained how over an 18-month period, she had gone out of her way to help six alumni network into new jobs. In response to all her efforts, not a single one took the time to thank her.

This is a glaring example of how politeness and manners seem to have gone the way of the dinosaurs.

American businesspeople who forget common rules of courtesy and politeness can completely destroy a business relationship overseas. For instance, Japanese and Italian business cultures will not tolerate the rudeness that is unfortunately pervading the American workplace.

Paul Bernard
New York, June 24, 2009

1. Greet people, especially lift men, security guards, canteen boys,
cleaners. A namaste or a Hi is necessary. A little small talk won’t do
any harm. A former colleague, raised in the U.S., never failed to do
small talk with lift and elevator operators. 

2. Greet colleagues in corridors, near the coffee machine, near the
photo-copier with a smile and a quick Hi. A “How are you doing” can be
added.

3. Men: let ladies get out and into lifts and doors first. This is
important no matter what positon you are in the company. Hold doors
open. For an explanation of why, read the comments on the slide-show on
Obama. Men and ladies both: don’t get into lifts till all passengers
are out, even if you are in a great rush. 

4. Desk mates, don’t creep into each other’s space. If your chairs
are close to each other, manoeuvre yours while getting up or sitting
down to avoid hitting your neighbour’s chair.

5. Don’t stare at colleagues’ computer screens or try to peek into their mail. It is intrusive.

6. Discussing the movie you watched yesterday while your desk mate is trying to beat a deadline is irritating. 

7. My best interviews were those where editors walked me to the
office door, stepping outside their cabin to do so. It sends a very
strong message of sheer friendliness after a nerve-racking process.

With the current recession, folks are learning a little bit about money manners - including how to give money to friends and family who are in need.

Giving money to friends and family in need can put a strain on the relationship. Here’s a great way to avoid that stress…