Is Etiquette a Must?

You grow up and suddenly realize that you probably missed all the etiquette lessons that were ever taught in school, on top of that misery, did someone just say that children are taught etiquette by their parents?

So that proves that you now fall in to that clan that is oblivious to the existence of etiquette. Can you or should you continue to live your life the same way or is it time to change your ways?

Well, if you plan to live the rest of your life as a hermit, atop a Tibetan mountain where the only one who will mind your manners is the old yeti, you could probably choose to bat on as you have all this time. Let’s say you want to live in a community, get a job, have a family, play tennis on your off days and raise children, you should probably start learning etiquette pretty darn fast.

Reason Number 01: To Stop Being a Nuisance

In simple terms, etiquette refers to being polite, accommodative and disciplined in social groups or in society at large. If you are clueless and walk in when you should be waiting, play music on your earphones so that the people in the next building can hear it (am not even talking about the radio – more on that another time), stand too close to the person in front of you at the ticket counter or take ten minutes to decide what you want after you reach the cashier at KFC, you should know that you can and will be labeled a ‘nuisance’.

Reason Number 02 : To Share Public Places and Facilities Amiably

Are you the one standing in the middle of the escalator so that no one behind you can pass by? Are you the one elbowing in to the train and making others lose balance? Are you the one throwing the plastics in to the food waste bin? Or are you the one having a long and loud conversation while traveling in the bus? Well, that does mean that you are not the best person to share public spaces with.

Reason Number 03 : To Not be Overlooked at Interviews/ Promotions

Did you just break down your boss’s door trying to get his attention to enter his office? Did you hit ‘Reply All’ to a company wide email sent by HR? Were you the one who was towed away from the office party after drinking too much? Are you the one who knows everything about everybody in office and can’t stop talking about it? Well, if HR, your colleagues and your boss don’t take too kindly to you, don’t be surprised.

Reason Number 04 : To Not be Bullied or Ignored for Being the Outcast

No one wants to know what a fish bone looks like when it is stuck between your jaws and no one enjoys listening to a twenty minute ramble about your ‘oh – so wonderful’ self. They may not tell you and if they are full of etiquette, you may not be bullied, but they sure will not be friends with you for long.

Reason Number 05 : To Raise a Generation Better than You

If you know nothing, your offspring will no next to nothing too – or maybe they will pay more attention to the teacher. Rather than live with the hope of your kids figuring things out, you should know the golden principles of etiquette and groom them from their small days. It is much more difficult to form habits as adults. Let them thank you for the rest of their lives and let the legacy carry on to all future generations. You will be the most revered grandpa/ grandma around.