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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Let the waiter come to you
- Never yell or wave your hand at a waiter. Be patient, or politely get their attention when they pass by.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Offer up your seat
- If you're in perfectly good health, offer your seat to anyone who is either in poor health or pregnant.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Don't assume gender, sexuality, or relationship status
- Listen to how people introduce themselves and loved ones, and then follow their lead. If you're unsure, it's fine to politely ask.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Respond to personal texts within eight hours
- Proper etiquette doesn't dictate that you answer every text immediately, but you should answer within 24 hours, and within eight hours if it's someone close to you.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Avoid manspreading
- Manspreading is the practice of sitting with the knees so far apart it invades others' personal space. So be conscious of how you're sitting, especially while commuting.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Never ask, "where are you really from?"
- It's ok to ask someone once where they're from, but then accept whatever answer they give. If someone appears to be of a different ethnicity than you or has an accent, it's natural to be curious about their history, but it's impolite to ask outright.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Use a coaster
- If you're having a drink at a friend or acquaintance's house, always put your glass or cup on a coaster to avoid damaging their table or leaving any water rings for your host to clean up.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Walk with the flow
- In most places, it's considered polite to keep to the right on sidewalks and stairs, allowing people to pass you on the left. Be sure you keep moving with the flow, and be careful not to block the sidewalk with a large group.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Say "please" and "thank you"
- Whether you say them to a sales assistant in a store or your significant other, "please" and "thank you" are polite expressions of appreciation, gratitude, and politeness.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Hold the door for the person behind you
- Whoever reaches the door first is the person who should hold it open, regardless of gender. And if someone holds the door for you, always say "thank you."
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Be on time
- Sometimes, being late is just a bad circumstance, but if you're late often, then it's a choice you’re making. Time is precious, so avoid making people wait for you.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Step outside to answer phone calls
- If you have to take a call, step outside to avoid disturbing the people around you.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Let people get off the elevator first before you get on
- The same rule goes for the train and the bus!
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Look at the person speaking to you
- Not looking at the person speaking to you suggests you're uninterested and is considered impolite.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
- Haven't we learned enough from COVID-19? Whether it's the flu or a common cold, make sure you're doing what you can to avoid spreading germs.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Put away your phone when you're with others
- Whether it's at the dinner table at home, in a restaurant with co-workers, or in a movie theater with friends, the people you're with take precedence over your phone, so put it away and be present in the moment.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Clean up your dog's mess
- It's the number one rule of etiquette for dog owners. If your dog poops, you pick it up in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a public garbage can.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Ask before posting
- Not everyone wants to be all over social media. What you think is fun, others may see as embarrassing, or perhaps they just prefer privacy, and respecting that is a modern etiquette.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Wait a day before reacting to a snarky email or text
- While it may be tempting to immediately retaliate to a snarky text message, such responses often backfire. Instead, take a moment to compose yourself and wait a day before replying.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Wait until everyone is seated and served to start eating
- Whether you're dining at home or in a restaurant, proper table etiquette still dictates that you wait to begin eating the meal until everyone is served, and the host begins to eat.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Stay home when you're sick
- Avoid getting other people sick when you're suffering from a contagious illness by staying home until you're better.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Don't text or talk during a movie
- It only takes the glow of one cellphone to light up an entire theater in the most annoying way possible. Resist the temptation to look at your phone until after the movie.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Don't say yes when you mean no
- A common etiquette mistake people make is not being honest and instead saying "yes" or "maybe" when what they really mean is "no." When you say "no," people may be disappointed, but they'll understand.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Be a good dinner guest
- If you have a food allergy, make sure to mention it ahead of time. But if you don't like Brussels sprouts or don't do carbs, don't announce it in front of everyone and expect a new dish to be cooked for you.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Wipe down equipment at the gym
- Anything that you sweat on needs to be wiped down with sanitizing spray or wipes, whether that's a weight bench, bike seat, or treadmill.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Reach out to people who are grieving
- It's common courtesy to reach out to people who are grieving. If you don’t know what to say, simply give your condolences.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Don't send one-word emails
- Replying to a group email with "Got it!" or "Thanks!" is irritating and inefficient. It's also a way to make sure your emails get ignored in the future.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Don't groom yourself in public
- Don't clip your nails, brush your hair, or floss your teeth in public. That's just gross.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Ask before bringing a guest
- Be it your kids, pets, or someone you started dating recently, don't assume they're automatically invited. No matter how well you know your host, ask before bringing a guest.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Never show up empty-handed
- If you're going to dinner at someone's home, don't go empty-handed. Always take something, like a bottle of wine or flowers.
Sources: (Country Living) (Reader's Digest) (Parade)
See also: Netiquette rules everyone should follow for smooth online interactions
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Let the waiter come to you
- Never yell or wave your hand at a waiter. Be patient, or politely get their attention when they pass by.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Offer up your seat
- If you're in perfectly good health, offer your seat to anyone who is either in poor health or pregnant.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Don't assume gender, sexuality, or relationship status
- Listen to how people introduce themselves and loved ones, and then follow their lead. If you're unsure, it's fine to politely ask.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Respond to personal texts within eight hours
- Proper etiquette doesn't dictate that you answer every text immediately, but you should answer within 24 hours, and within eight hours if it's someone close to you.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Avoid manspreading
- Manspreading is the practice of sitting with the knees so far apart it invades others' personal space. So be conscious of how you're sitting, especially while commuting.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Never ask, "where are you really from?"
- It's ok to ask someone once where they're from, but then accept whatever answer they give. If someone appears to be of a different ethnicity than you or has an accent, it's natural to be curious about their history, but it's impolite to ask outright.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Use a coaster
- If you're having a drink at a friend or acquaintance's house, always put your glass or cup on a coaster to avoid damaging their table or leaving any water rings for your host to clean up.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Walk with the flow
- In most places, it's considered polite to keep to the right on sidewalks and stairs, allowing people to pass you on the left. Be sure you keep moving with the flow, and be careful not to block the sidewalk with a large group.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Say "please" and "thank you"
- Whether you say them to a sales assistant in a store or your significant other, "please" and "thank you" are polite expressions of appreciation, gratitude, and politeness.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Hold the door for the person behind you
- Whoever reaches the door first is the person who should hold it open, regardless of gender. And if someone holds the door for you, always say "thank you."
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Be on time
- Sometimes, being late is just a bad circumstance, but if you're late often, then it's a choice you’re making. Time is precious, so avoid making people wait for you.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Step outside to answer phone calls
- If you have to take a call, step outside to avoid disturbing the people around you.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Let people get off the elevator first before you get on
- The same rule goes for the train and the bus!
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Look at the person speaking to you
- Not looking at the person speaking to you suggests you're uninterested and is considered impolite.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
- Haven't we learned enough from COVID-19? Whether it's the flu or a common cold, make sure you're doing what you can to avoid spreading germs.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Put away your phone when you're with others
- Whether it's at the dinner table at home, in a restaurant with co-workers, or in a movie theater with friends, the people you're with take precedence over your phone, so put it away and be present in the moment.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Clean up your dog's mess
- It's the number one rule of etiquette for dog owners. If your dog poops, you pick it up in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a public garbage can.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Ask before posting
- Not everyone wants to be all over social media. What you think is fun, others may see as embarrassing, or perhaps they just prefer privacy, and respecting that is a modern etiquette.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Wait a day before reacting to a snarky email or text
- While it may be tempting to immediately retaliate to a snarky text message, such responses often backfire. Instead, take a moment to compose yourself and wait a day before replying.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Wait until everyone is seated and served to start eating
- Whether you're dining at home or in a restaurant, proper table etiquette still dictates that you wait to begin eating the meal until everyone is served, and the host begins to eat.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Stay home when you're sick
- Avoid getting other people sick when you're suffering from a contagious illness by staying home until you're better.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Don't text or talk during a movie
- It only takes the glow of one cellphone to light up an entire theater in the most annoying way possible. Resist the temptation to look at your phone until after the movie.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Don't say yes when you mean no
- A common etiquette mistake people make is not being honest and instead saying "yes" or "maybe" when what they really mean is "no." When you say "no," people may be disappointed, but they'll understand.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Be a good dinner guest
- If you have a food allergy, make sure to mention it ahead of time. But if you don't like Brussels sprouts or don't do carbs, don't announce it in front of everyone and expect a new dish to be cooked for you.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Wipe down equipment at the gym
- Anything that you sweat on needs to be wiped down with sanitizing spray or wipes, whether that's a weight bench, bike seat, or treadmill.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Reach out to people who are grieving
- It's common courtesy to reach out to people who are grieving. If you don’t know what to say, simply give your condolences.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Don't send one-word emails
- Replying to a group email with "Got it!" or "Thanks!" is irritating and inefficient. It's also a way to make sure your emails get ignored in the future.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Don't groom yourself in public
- Don't clip your nails, brush your hair, or floss your teeth in public. That's just gross.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Ask before bringing a guest
- Be it your kids, pets, or someone you started dating recently, don't assume they're automatically invited. No matter how well you know your host, ask before bringing a guest.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Never show up empty-handed
- If you're going to dinner at someone's home, don't go empty-handed. Always take something, like a bottle of wine or flowers.
Sources: (Country Living) (Reader's Digest) (Parade)
See also: Netiquette rules everyone should follow for smooth online interactions
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
Etiquette rules you should always follow
Make the world a nicer place with these simple gestures
© Shutterstock
Etiquette isn't about old-fashioned politeness or outdated rules about which fork to use. At its core, good etiquette is about being kind, making people comfortable, and behaving in a socially acceptable way. As the art of good etiquette changes with the times, it's important to pay attention to modern manners. While you probably do the "right" things naturally, there's also a good chance you're accidentally making some serious etiquette mistakes, too.
So click on for everyday etiquette tips that will help you navigate any situation smoothly.
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