Posts tagged "Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products"
December 11, 2018
Christmas cards are big business. Nearly 2 billion holiday cards will be purchased, addressed and mailed this Christmas season alone. From family, friends, and neighbors to work associates, clients and customers, virtually everyone is caught in the holiday card frenzy whether they celebrate the season or not.
But, like any type of correspondence, there are a few etiquette rules that apply when sending out those winter greetings. Here are a few tips from the experts:
For Friends and Family:
Even if you are using pre-printed holiday cards for both personal and business use, it’s important to always sign your name below the printed version and write a small handwritten note inside to make the recipient feel as if you truly thought of them this holiday season. When signing for the entire family, always begin with the father’s name, followed by the mother’s and finally he children, or simply write “John, Mary and Family.”
When sending a card to a couple or family with two different last names, always address the card to both people: John Smith and Mary Jones, or the entire family as in Mary Jones, John Smith and Family. And, always include the children’s name inside every family card.
For Business Associates:
Always mail cards to business associates to the office unless you have met their spouse and met with them socially at some point during the year. Then the cards may be addressed to both and sent to their home.
When sending a card to a married woman who uses her maiden name at work, always address the card to Mr. and Mrs. (using her married name), if she uses her husband’s name personally. If, however, she only uses her maiden name, it is acceptable to address the card to both using both recipients full names.
Business cards should always be written in a more formal and secular style. Never sign your spouse’s name unless the recipient has met them in a social gathering. And never, under any circumstances send your personal family newsletter to business associates.
Finally, even if you are sending out hundreds of holiday cards to a variety of business associates, never use bulk mail. Always send them first class.
Special Circumstances:
Every time you send out a holiday greeting, you mean well. Unfortunately, sometimes your good intentions may be misunderstood. To avoid any etiquette slips remember these important tips:
-When sending a card to someone with a different ethnic or religious background, choose a more secular card that is free of religious undertones. For those who don’t celebrate the holidays at all, opt for a winter scene card with a basic Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays or message of Peace.
-In the event your recipient’s are grieving the loss of a loved one this year, take special care to find a card that specifically deals with holiday grief. They’ll appreciate your extra thoughtfulness and assure them that their loved one has not been forgotten this holiday season. Also, when sending a card to a recent widow, always address her as “Mrs. So and so to make her feel less alone.
The 8 Rules of Business Greeting Card Etiquette
Buy Quality Cards: Start with a good quality business greeting card to show that you value your clients and colleagues. Skimping on your selection can be interpreted in a number of ways. Your recipients might take it as a sign that business has not been good or that they aren’t worth a little investment.
Update Your List: Make sure your list is up-to-date with correct names and addresses. If you do this on a regular basis, it does not become a dreaded holiday chore. As you gain new contacts throughout the year, take time to add them to your database for your business greeting card group. This way you won’t embarrass yourself by sending the card to the old address.
Sign Cards Personally: Even if you have pre-printed information on the business greeting card such as your name, you need to add your handwritten signature. The most elegant business greeting cards should have your personal signature and a short handwritten message.
Handwrite the Address: If you are ready to throw up your hands at this point and forget the whole project, then have someone else address the envelopes for you. Don’t use computer-generated labels. They are impersonal and make your holiday wishes look like a mass mailing. You may save time and even money, but can lose a client in the process.
Mail to Home Address: Mail your business greeting card to the home if you know the small business owner. Be sure to include the spouse’s name. The card is not sent to both husband and wife at the business address unless they both work there.
Use Titles: Whether you are addressing the envelope to an individual or a couple, titles should always be used. It’s “Mr. John Doe,” not “John Doe,” or “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, rather that “John and Mary Doe.”
Be Sensitive to Traditions: Find out whether your business greeting card recipients observe Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa. Make sure your message is appropriate for each individual. If you decide to go with one card, choose a generic one that will not offend. “Season’s Greetings” and “Happy Holidays” are safe bets.
Avoid the Mail Rush: Mail your business greeting cards in time to arrive for the designated holiday. If you find yourself addressing the envelopes on Super Bowl Sunday, keep the cards until next year and send out a high-quality note thanking people for their business during the previous year instead. To avoid the last minute greeting rush is to have all your envelopes addressed before Thanksgiving. Then during December you can leisurely write a short message – one or two lines are all that is necessary on each card, sign your name and have them in the mail with a minimum of hassle.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Christmas, Etiquette Tips and tagged Christmas, Christmas Cards, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products
July 15, 2011
I live in a community that is known for its beautiful scenery, slow living pace and romance. We are not known for our great customer service, and I can see that we’re really not putting our best foot forward.Every summer my grandson comes to stay with me to take a two-week swimming class at the local pool. Last year I was somewhat surprised when one of the moms offered me her seat. I have to confess that on the one hand I was delighted with her manners, on the other I felt like my middle age was showing.
This year it’s a whole new story. Several times this week, tweens (under 14) were sitting in the seats at the pool while other parents stood by. And this morning a man kept his seat while a woman rose to offer me hers. I guess her mother taught her about good manners.
While I am delighted we are known for romance. It would also be wonderful if we were known for our manners and great customer service.
How can you do that? By having awareness and showing courtesy to those around you—no matter how old you are. And a note to the moms: If you don’t see it, we sure can’t expect it from your children.
The fact of the matter is this: Common manners aren’t so common anymore.
What about you? Have you been in situation where you found yourself surprised by someone’s lack of courtesy?
Share in the comments below!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged first impressions, manners, good manners, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products
March 22, 2011
On a flight that took me through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) en route to Canada, my fellow travelers and I were told to pick up our luggage and go through customs.
We made our way to the baggage-claim area and positioned ourselves around the luggage carousel, watching bag after bag tumble down the ramp. As the area filled up with travel-weary folks, people started peering over each others’ shoulders and jostling for position.
Granted, some of this is to be expected. After all, everyone there had just been on a long flight, and everyone was preoccupied with their own agenda.
As I stood there waiting and chatting with a new acquaintance, a late-comer arrived with two small children, a large, bulky backpack and a luggage rack in tow. He stood behind us, waiting to spot his bags, and every few minutes I heard him scold his son. “Stop running around and bumping into people!”
Within moments of saying this, he spotted his bags. Without a word, he pushed himself between my acquaintance and I, smashing his backpack into my arm as he reached for a bag. Turning, smashed into me again as he carried the bag to his cart.
Moments later he was back for the next bag, again pushing his way through without a word… until I heard him snap at the boy, “Stop it! You’re bumping into people left and right, and someone’s going to get hurt.”
Isn’t that the way it goes sometimes? We’re so concerned with the misdeeds of others that we develop a blind eye to our own ways. It’s not hypocrisy so much as a simple lack of awareness.
As I made my way to the next gate, rubbing my shoulder as I went, the wise words of Emily Post came to mind:
“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.”
Do you have an etiquette lesson you’d like to share? Love t0 hear your story below!
image: Theerin
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged air travel etiquette, good manners, common courtesies, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products
March 12, 2011
You walk into a room and a friend approaches you and says, “Wow, you look fantastic! Love that color on you!” Or you’ve just given a presentation—one that you were probably sweating over for weeks—and your boss catches up to you after your big debut and says “Great job on the presentation. You really nailed it.”
What’s your first response? Do you immediately look away or start mumbling something about the weather?
Sound familiar?
When given a compliment most people brush it off, talk over it, or even argue the compliment by saying something like “Really? I’ve had this dress forever” or “I didn’t think so. I stuttered the whole time.”
Receiving a compliment, graciously, is one of the most difficult things for many people to do. Some will even deflect the compliment by making a joke of it, and that can be uncomfortable for the person giving the compliment.
So, the next time you receive a compliment, I want you to follow these 5 steps. If you do, I promise it will get easier and easier to accept a compliment – and it will make the compliment giver feel more inclined to “share the love” with other well-deserving friends who could use a pick-me-up from time to time.
When receiving a compliment, do the following:
- Stop thinking and listen to what the person is saying to you. Don’t disregard or shoo away the words before he is finished. Let the compliment “giver” say what he wants to say.
- Do not, for any reason, respond with negativity. Not even with a negative tone. By doing this, you are inadvertently disrespecting an act of kindness from that person.
- The first thing you should say when you are given a compliment is: Thank you. Then, follow up with something that reflects the compliment the individual has given you. If your friend compliments you on how you look, say something like “Thank you. I just got this dress.” This will show not only that you are listening, but that you appreciate (and accept) the compliment.
- When someone is giving you a compliment, look them in the eye when you respond. This shows engagement and true appreciation.
- Don’t counter-compliment. It will come off as insincere. “You look great, too” doesn’t have the same effect when you’ve just received a compliment. Think about it. Tuck the counter-compliment away for another time.
- Pass on the kindness. Every time you receive a compliment (I mean, REALLY receive it), think about how good it felt. How much it brightened your day. Think about how much you can impact another person’s day with a few simple words. Implement the “bounce back” mentality and make someone’s day – every day.
Although accepting a compliment can be tough, it can really make your day. Think about a time when you truly accepted a compliment. Didn’t your day seem lighter? Didn’t you walk just a little taller? Give yourself permission to feel good about yourself. And then, pass it on.
What’s the first thing you do when you receive a compliment? I’d love to know your thoughts. Share with us in the comments below!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged gratitude, good manners, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products
