Business Etiquette and Grooming

Etiquette – Origin
A ticket proving that the bearer knew the rules
required for admittance behind closed doors
 Proxemics – Edward T. Hall
A study of:
• the cultural, behavioral, and sociological
aspects of spatial distances between
individuals
• Set measurable distances between people
as they interact
• use of space and how various differences
in that use can make us feel more relaxed
or anxious.
 What is the size of the bubble
• If you are talking to a
stranger
• If you know the person
you're talking to
• When two persons are
talking
• In different cultures
• When having an
argument
• For an extrovert
 The etiquette of personal space
• Standing or sitting too close to people
• Touching people whom you do not know too well
• Brushing against other people
• Talking over people
• Rifling through someone’s desk
• Going through someone’s email, letters or mobile phone
• Others (Speaking loudly on the phone in a public space,
shouting, dragging your feet or chair, playing loud music)
 When is this space violated?
• Hearing another person’s cell phone conversation
• Telemarketing
• Loud sounds (talking, music, traffic, machinery)
• Spam email
• People who hog common facilities
• Toxic fumes (cigarette smoke & car exhaust), strong
perfume
• Tailgaters or slow drivers
• Person too close in your face, backslapping
• Graffiti
 If your personal space is intruded on,
what would you do?
• Accept it
• Lean away from the person or take a step back
• Say you are uncomfortable being so close
• Explain why you need more space
• Excuse yourself and leave…
 Space & sensitivity
• How would you speak to a person who is at
the other end of the room?
• Your room mate’s papers are lying on your
table. What would you do?
• You enter a room and intend to sit next to a
person at the table. How would you sit?
• Your colleague is on leave and your boss asks
for a file which is on her computer. What
would you do?
 Space & sensitivity
• You wish to meet your neighbour whose door is
shut, but not locked. What would you do?
• You go to meet Ciana, who is in a meeting with
another student. What would you do?
• A colleague casually eats from your plate uninvited.
What would you do?
• A colleague pops into your office unannounced.
What would you do?
 Space & sensitivity
• Your colleague is constantly in your cubicle,
reading over your shoulder, or picking up papers
from your desk. What would you do?
• You are seated in the middle seat on an airplane
and the people on either side of you staked out the
armrests. What would you do?
• You are on a group vacation and crave some time
alone. What would you do?
• What do you think
is the first
impression that you
make on others?
• What do you think
comprises
etiquette?
• What is the impact
that you would like
to make?
 What is your etiquette competency?
• Appropriate dress and grooming
• Respecting boundaries of personal space
• Managing your space and sharing common areas
• Meet and greet, building rapport
• Eating with clients, co-workers and management
• Networking with purpose and effect
• Effective communication – speaking with clarity,
listening and responding appropriately
• Telephone and technology courtesy
• Meeting – directing, attending, staying on task, sharing
the floor
 For our next class

• Read the course outline and revert with

your suggestions
• Identify the career role that you have in
mind and look up the job description for
the role