Etiquette in the 21st Century

One of my favourite resource books on the shelf in my office is the Emily Post Etiquette book, which I refer to occasionally to ensure I am suggesting the appropriate wording on event invitations and offering insight for appropriate plans for clients on their up-coming events. It is an interesting resource book with very current information on how to communicate and behave appropriately with guests, friends, family and the general public, but it sounds so formal. So it makes me wonder if there is a place in the 21st Century for Emily Post Etiquette Guide.

YOU BET!

The book is cleverly named Etiquette, The Definitive Guide to Manners, which actually makes me giggle when I pick it up to refer my clients to the content, as it seems to be somewhat a book of common sense. But as I look more closely, open the cover and review the content, this book covers topics not only from Everyday Etiquette, Dining, and Celebrations but to Relationships, Being Thoughtful, Communication and Protocol, Teenagers, and You and Your Job. It is a book of helpful hints for us to hone our Emotional Intelligence – how to relate and deal with people appropriately, which I think, is one of the most valuable skills to have.

This book, although commonly used as a resource to assist our clients in wording invitations so to ask for no gifts at their wedding or anniversary, is actually a resource guide on how to behave. How beneficial is a resource book like this when you find yourself in life’s situations? ~ What to do when you forget a person’s name at a dinner party or social function? How to treat the elderly when they get on the bus? How do you talk on your cell phone while respecting those around you and their space? ~

In 2008, I attended an international Event Planners Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the guest speakers at the conference was Sarah Post, Emily Post’s Granddaughter, who is now part of this Etiquette Empire. During her presentation, it was stunning to hear the questions from the crowd in regards to etiquette around cell phone usage, inter-office emailing, properly wording invitations, creating guest lists for events and parties, communicating negative messages, wearing shoes in the office, etc, etc, etc. Common Sense? You might think so, but these were industry professionals obviously wondering about experiences that had affected them, curious to find the answer from an etiquette guru!

Listening to the eloquence of Sarah’s responses still reminds me that we have to continually work on our personal and professional etiquette. Appropriate social behaviour, or the lack thereof, should be carefully studied and practiced. What a better way to understand one another, show empathy, respect and create caring environments in our workplace, at our events and in our everyday lives.

Etiquette in the 21st Century?? You Bet!!

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

—Emily Post