50 little social etiquette rules everyone should follow
Make the world a nicer place with these simple gestures
Say 鈥淧lease鈥� and 鈥淭hank You鈥�
Especially to those closest to you.
Smile!
At the cashier. The bank teller. Your co-worker. Even if he or she doesn鈥檛 smile back.
Hold the Door for the Person Behind You
And if someone holds the door for you, always say "thank you"!
Step Outside to Answer Phone Calls
Sometimes you have to take the call 鈥� but is it always that important? Besides, it鈥檚 not so fun to hear your conversation when we鈥檙e trapped behind you in line.
Give People a Pass
Cranky salesperson? Nasty driver? You have no idea what鈥檚 going on with that person right now: Did her dog die? Did he just get bad health news? You don鈥檛 have to reward ugly behavior with your own nastiness, which only perpetuates the cycle.
Look At the Person Who Is Speaking to You
Seriously. Look up from your smartphone!
Let Someone Go In Front of You In Line
We promise, it'll make his or her day.
Cough or Sneeze Into Your Elbow
Cold and flu season is always brutal 鈥� make sure you're doing what you can to avoid spreading germs.
Learn People's Names
Handwrite Thank-You Notes
He or she took the time to send the gift; take the time to show you care.
Put Your Smartphone Away During Meals
Right. Now.
Be On Time
We鈥檙e all busy, so please stop making people wait for you.
Clean Up After Your Pet
It鈥檚 just plain icky to leave it.
Always RSVP
And do it right away before you forget.
Ask Before Posting
Not everyone wants to be all over social media, and you鈥檙e not a reporter 鈥� so stop spreading the news.
Curb Your Potty Mouth
We know it鈥檚 satisfying like nothing else! But would you want your Grandma to hear? Or your kid?
Keep the Noise Down at Work
Silence the ringer on your smartphone, speak quietly and turn the sound down on your dinging email so it鈥檚 not bugging everyone in the other cubicles.
Shake Hands Firmly
Stand and make eye contact when you do it.
Don't Bring Your Smelly Leftovers to the Office
Or at least eat stinky foods in the break room, not at your desk.
Dress for the Occasion
Know how to rock it for the club or dress modestly for a funeral. And please wear your PJs at home, not to the grocery store!
Use Your Turn Signal
It's not just courteous, it can help avoid an accident.
Wash Your Hands After Using the Bathroom
Because just 鈥� eww!
Park Your Shopping Cart On the Side of the Aisle
Not in the center! The rest of us are shopping, too.
Ask Permission to Use Someone's First Name
Yes, it鈥檚 a super-casual society, but it鈥檚 never wrong to use a title until you know what the person prefers.
Clean Up After Yourself
At home. At work. At a friend鈥檚 house.
Wait a Day Before Reacting to a Snarky Email or Text
We know it鈥檚 tempting to slam the person immediately, but that often backfires.
Push Your Chair In When You Leave a Table
Don't make someone else do it for you.
Ask Before Bringing a Guest
Or your kids. Or your pet. Don鈥檛 assume they鈥檙e automatically invited, no matter how well you know your host or hostess.
Wait Until Everyone Has Been Served to Start Eating
No matter how much you want to dig in ASAP.
Be a Good Dinner Guest
Certainly, if you have a food allergy, you can mention it ahead of time. But if you don't like collard greens or don鈥檛 do carbs, don鈥檛 announce it in front of everyone and expect your host or hostess to make you a special dish.
Sit Like a Royal
The 鈥渄uchess slant,鈥� with your knees and ankles close together and your legs on a slant, keeps things modestly princess-like when you鈥檙e wearing a skirt or dress ( has mastered it!).
Stay Home When You're Sick
Some things, like your cold, should not be shared.
Knock Before You Enter
No one likes to be barged in on.
Remember Your Table Manners
Napkin on your lap. No elbows on the table. Chew with your mouth closed.
Reach Out to People Who Are Grieving
Don鈥檛 pretend nothing happened. If you don鈥檛 know what to do, simply say you鈥檙e sorry.
Let People Get Off the Elevator First Before You Get On
The same rule goes for the train and the bus.
Teach Your Kids Good Manners
And lead by example.
Silence Your Smartphone At the Movies
And stop crinkling that candy wrapper so loudly while you're at it.
Help Someone Who's Clearly Struggling
The next time you see someone straining to reach something on the highest shelf at the grocery store, help her out!
Thank a Veteran for His or Her Service.
Here are .
Bring Food
Take cookies, soup or a casserole to a new neighbor, someone who just lost a family member or a friend who鈥檚 had a serious health diagnosis.
Wipe Down the Exercise Machine After You Use It
Your fellow gym-goers will appreciate it.
Take Your Shopping Cart to the Corral
Or back to the store entrance.
Don't Groom Yourself In Public
Don鈥檛 clip your nails, brush your hair or floss your teeth in public. Because it's just gross.
Skip Controversial or Nosy Topics at Parties
No politics, religion, asking when they're getting pregnant or how much weight she lost. We鈥檙e all here to have fun not start a debate, remember?
Learn to Say You're Sorry
Be the bigger person.
When You Enter a Room, Greet Everyone
No one likes to be ignored.
Return Calls
If someone takes the time to leave you a voicemail, take the time to call him or her back.
Never Show Up Empty-Handed
Whether it's an invitation for dinner or just a night in to binge-watch your favorite show, never turn up with nothing.
Be a Pleasant House Guest
Make your bed. Don鈥檛 monopolize the bathroom. Take your hostess out to dinner or send a gift later. You want to be invited back, right?
Say 鈥淧lease鈥� and 鈥淭hank You鈥�
Especially to those closest to you.
Smile!
At the cashier. The bank teller. Your co-worker. Even if he or she doesn鈥檛 smile back.
Hold the Door for the Person Behind You
And if someone holds the door for you, always say "thank you"!
Step Outside to Answer Phone Calls
Sometimes you have to take the call 鈥� but is it always that important? Besides, it鈥檚 not so fun to hear your conversation when we鈥檙e trapped behind you in line.
Give People a Pass
Cranky salesperson? Nasty driver? You have no idea what鈥檚 going on with that person right now: Did her dog die? Did he just get bad health news? You don鈥檛 have to reward ugly behavior with your own nastiness, which only perpetuates the cycle.
Look At the Person Who Is Speaking to You
Seriously. Look up from your smartphone!
Let Someone Go In Front of You In Line
We promise, it'll make his or her day.
Cough or Sneeze Into Your Elbow
Cold and flu season is always brutal 鈥� make sure you're doing what you can to avoid spreading germs.
Learn People's Names
Handwrite Thank-You Notes
He or she took the time to send the gift; take the time to show you care.
Put Your Smartphone Away During Meals
Right. Now.
Be On Time
We鈥檙e all busy, so please stop making people wait for you.
Clean Up After Your Pet
It鈥檚 just plain icky to leave it.
Always RSVP
And do it right away before you forget.
Ask Before Posting
Not everyone wants to be all over social media, and you鈥檙e not a reporter 鈥� so stop spreading the news.
Curb Your Potty Mouth
We know it鈥檚 satisfying like nothing else! But would you want your Grandma to hear? Or your kid?
Keep the Noise Down at Work
Silence the ringer on your smartphone, speak quietly and turn the sound down on your dinging email so it鈥檚 not bugging everyone in the other cubicles.
Shake Hands Firmly
Stand and make eye contact when you do it.
Don't Bring Your Smelly Leftovers to the Office
Or at least eat stinky foods in the break room, not at your desk.
Dress for the Occasion
Know how to rock it for the club or dress modestly for a funeral. And please wear your PJs at home, not to the grocery store!
Use Your Turn Signal
It's not just courteous, it can help avoid an accident.
Wash Your Hands After Using the Bathroom
Because just 鈥� eww!
Park Your Shopping Cart On the Side of the Aisle
Not in the center! The rest of us are shopping, too.
Ask Permission to Use Someone's First Name
Yes, it鈥檚 a super-casual society, but it鈥檚 never wrong to use a title until you know what the person prefers.
Clean Up After Yourself
At home. At work. At a friend鈥檚 house.
Wait a Day Before Reacting to a Snarky Email or Text
We know it鈥檚 tempting to slam the person immediately, but that often backfires.
Push Your Chair In When You Leave a Table
Don't make someone else do it for you.
Ask Before Bringing a Guest
Or your kids. Or your pet. Don鈥檛 assume they鈥檙e automatically invited, no matter how well you know your host or hostess.
Wait Until Everyone Has Been Served to Start Eating
No matter how much you want to dig in ASAP.
Be a Good Dinner Guest
Certainly, if you have a food allergy, you can mention it ahead of time. But if you don't like collard greens or don鈥檛 do carbs, don鈥檛 announce it in front of everyone and expect your host or hostess to make you a special dish.
Sit Like a Royal
The 鈥渄uchess slant,鈥� with your knees and ankles close together and your legs on a slant, keeps things modestly princess-like when you鈥檙e wearing a skirt or dress ( has mastered it!).
Stay Home When You're Sick
Some things, like your cold, should not be shared.
Knock Before You Enter
No one likes to be barged in on.
Remember Your Table Manners
Napkin on your lap. No elbows on the table. Chew with your mouth closed.
Reach Out to People Who Are Grieving
Don鈥檛 pretend nothing happened. If you don鈥檛 know what to do, simply say you鈥檙e sorry.
Let People Get Off the Elevator First Before You Get On
The same rule goes for the train and the bus.
Teach Your Kids Good Manners
And lead by example.
Silence Your Smartphone At the Movies
And stop crinkling that candy wrapper so loudly while you're at it.
Help Someone Who's Clearly Struggling
The next time you see someone straining to reach something on the highest shelf at the grocery store, help her out!
Thank a Veteran for His or Her Service.
Here are .
Bring Food
Take cookies, soup or a casserole to a new neighbor, someone who just lost a family member or a friend who鈥檚 had a serious health diagnosis.
Wipe Down the Exercise Machine After You Use It
Your fellow gym-goers will appreciate it.
Take Your Shopping Cart to the Corral
Or back to the store entrance.
Don't Groom Yourself In Public
Don鈥檛 clip your nails, brush your hair or floss your teeth in public. Because it's just gross.
Skip Controversial or Nosy Topics at Parties
No politics, religion, asking when they're getting pregnant or how much weight she lost. We鈥檙e all here to have fun not start a debate, remember?
Learn to Say You're Sorry
Be the bigger person.
When You Enter a Room, Greet Everyone
No one likes to be ignored.
Return Calls
If someone takes the time to leave you a voicemail, take the time to call him or her back.
Never Show Up Empty-Handed
Whether it's an invitation for dinner or just a night in to binge-watch your favorite show, never turn up with nothing.
Be a Pleasant House Guest
Make your bed. Don鈥檛 monopolize the bathroom. Take your hostess out to dinner or send a gift later. You want to be invited back, right?
Say 鈥淧lease鈥� and 鈥淭hank You鈥�
Especially to those closest to you.
Smile!
At the cashier. The bank teller. Your co-worker. Even if he or she doesn鈥檛 smile back.
Hold the Door for the Person Behind You
And if someone holds the door for you, always say "thank you"!
Step Outside to Answer Phone Calls
Sometimes you have to take the call 鈥� but is it always that important? Besides, it鈥檚 not so fun to hear your conversation when we鈥檙e trapped behind you in line.
Give People a Pass
Cranky salesperson? Nasty driver? You have no idea what鈥檚 going on with that person right now: Did her dog die? Did he just get bad health news? You don鈥檛 have to reward ugly behavior with your own nastiness, which only perpetuates the cycle.
Look At the Person Who Is Speaking to You
Seriously. Look up from your smartphone!
Let Someone Go In Front of You In Line
We promise, it'll make his or her day.
Cough or Sneeze Into Your Elbow
Cold and flu season is always brutal 鈥� make sure you're doing what you can to avoid spreading germs.
Learn People's Names
Handwrite Thank-You Notes
He or she took the time to send the gift; take the time to show you care.
Put Your Smartphone Away During Meals
Right. Now.
Be On Time
We鈥檙e all busy, so please stop making people wait for you.
Clean Up After Your Pet
It鈥檚 just plain icky to leave it.
Always RSVP
And do it right away before you forget.
Ask Before Posting
Not everyone wants to be all over social media, and you鈥檙e not a reporter 鈥� so stop spreading the news.
Curb Your Potty Mouth
We know it鈥檚 satisfying like nothing else! But would you want your Grandma to hear? Or your kid?
Keep the Noise Down at Work
Silence the ringer on your smartphone, speak quietly and turn the sound down on your dinging email so it鈥檚 not bugging everyone in the other cubicles.
Shake Hands Firmly
Stand and make eye contact when you do it.
Don't Bring Your Smelly Leftovers to the Office
Or at least eat stinky foods in the break room, not at your desk.
Dress for the Occasion
Know how to rock it for the club or dress modestly for a funeral. And please wear your PJs at home, not to the grocery store!
Use Your Turn Signal
It's not just courteous, it can help avoid an accident.
Wash Your Hands After Using the Bathroom
Because just 鈥� eww!
Park Your Shopping Cart On the Side of the Aisle
Not in the center! The rest of us are shopping, too.
Ask Permission to Use Someone's First Name
Yes, it鈥檚 a super-casual society, but it鈥檚 never wrong to use a title until you know what the person prefers.
Clean Up After Yourself
At home. At work. At a friend鈥檚 house.
Wait a Day Before Reacting to a Snarky Email or Text
We know it鈥檚 tempting to slam the person immediately, but that often backfires.
Push Your Chair In When You Leave a Table
Don't make someone else do it for you.
Ask Before Bringing a Guest
Or your kids. Or your pet. Don鈥檛 assume they鈥檙e automatically invited, no matter how well you know your host or hostess.
Wait Until Everyone Has Been Served to Start Eating
No matter how much you want to dig in ASAP.
Be a Good Dinner Guest
Certainly, if you have a food allergy, you can mention it ahead of time. But if you don't like collard greens or don鈥檛 do carbs, don鈥檛 announce it in front of everyone and expect your host or hostess to make you a special dish.
Sit Like a Royal
The 鈥渄uchess slant,鈥� with your knees and ankles close together and your legs on a slant, keeps things modestly princess-like when you鈥檙e wearing a skirt or dress ( has mastered it!).
Stay Home When You're Sick
Some things, like your cold, should not be shared.
Knock Before You Enter
No one likes to be barged in on.
Remember Your Table Manners
Napkin on your lap. No elbows on the table. Chew with your mouth closed.
Reach Out to People Who Are Grieving
Don鈥檛 pretend nothing happened. If you don鈥檛 know what to do, simply say you鈥檙e sorry.
Let People Get Off the Elevator First Before You Get On
The same rule goes for the train and the bus.
Teach Your Kids Good Manners
And lead by example.
Silence Your Smartphone At the Movies
And stop crinkling that candy wrapper so loudly while you're at it.
Help Someone Who's Clearly Struggling
The next time you see someone straining to reach something on the highest shelf at the grocery store, help her out!
Thank a Veteran for His or Her Service.
Here are .
Bring Food
Take cookies, soup or a casserole to a new neighbor, someone who just lost a family member or a friend who鈥檚 had a serious health diagnosis.
Wipe Down the Exercise Machine After You Use It
Your fellow gym-goers will appreciate it.
Take Your Shopping Cart to the Corral
Or back to the store entrance.
Don't Groom Yourself In Public
Don鈥檛 clip your nails, brush your hair or floss your teeth in public. Because it's just gross.
Skip Controversial or Nosy Topics at Parties
No politics, religion, asking when they're getting pregnant or how much weight she lost. We鈥檙e all here to have fun not start a debate, remember?
Learn to Say You're Sorry
Be the bigger person.
When You Enter a Room, Greet Everyone
No one likes to be ignored.
Return Calls
If someone takes the time to leave you a voicemail, take the time to call him or her back.
Never Show Up Empty-Handed
Whether it's an invitation for dinner or just a night in to binge-watch your favorite show, never turn up with nothing.
Be a Pleasant House Guest
Make your bed. Don鈥檛 monopolize the bathroom. Take your hostess out to dinner or send a gift later. You want to be invited back, right?
Make the world a nicer place with these simple gestures
It鈥檚 showing respect for yourself and everyone else in your little corner of the planet. In a world where rudeness often reigns, why not stand out for being polite and thoughtful? You don鈥檛 even have to go to charm school or binge-watch "The Crown" to learn the rules! Here are 50 easy ways to share more kindness and less saltiness.