Etiquette was once the expected way of social behavior. People showed respect, politeness and good manners as they interacted with each other. Nowadays these ethical code has been slowly disappearing.
Today instead of people showing the basics code of politeness like saying; excuse me, please and thank you. They curse, shove and are plain rude. People who behave such ways don't realize that they are not only hurting others but they are hurting themselves. Those of us though that that have a sense of etiquette and show kindness have to deal with such people on a daily basis. So what are we to do?
How to Deal with Rude People:
Don’t take it personally. Perhaps the offender is having a bad day.
Size up your annoyances. Is it worth it to make a fuss over something small, or is it a waste of your emotional time?
Set a good example. Rudeness begets rudeness. If you speak sharply to the bank teller, don’t be surprised if you get the same treatment in return.
Count to ten. When someone’s behavior makes you angry, take a few deep breaths and ask yourself, “Is it really worth blowing my stack over this?”
Laugh it off. If you can’t come up with a friendly joke, just chuckle and change the subject.
Let’s say someone cuts in front of you while you’re in line. Say something like "Excuse me, I was here before you." Some people just like to see how much they can get away with, so if you call them on their behavior, they're likely to retreat. You can also politely ask “Why are you cutting in line?” The person may be embarrassed enough to step away.
You want to ask a question at the doctor’s office, but the nurse keeps giving you the brush-off. We all know how hard nurses work. So sometimes they’re just swamped. You also deserve to have your questions answered. So try this: Figure out the nurse’s name. Then say, “Excuse me Joan – or Bill, or whatever their name is. I know you’re busy, but when you have a moment, I could really use some help.” People are more likely to go the extra mile for folks who call them by name because it creates a bond and makes the person feel closer to you – like you’re friends. Acknowledging the fact that they’re busy shows that you sympathize with their situation – which makes you seem friendly.
A salesclerk won’t help you. If you’ve made several attempts to flag them down, and they STILL won’t talk to you, politely say “If you can’t help me, I would like to speak to a manager.” This’ll usually motivate the clerk, because they don’t want to get the boss involved. Remember to SMILE while you’re talking to them – that lets the salesclerk know that you’re not aggressive or looking for a fight.
by Emily Post & Good Housekeeping
Want to develop your Etiquette and Self- Confidence?
You can visit the Emily Post Institute website:
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