Being polite is an indispensable skill when socializing to build good relationships, achieve career success, and show respect for others. Maybe you already know how to be polite, but want to learn more about it to be ready for dinner parties, events at work, or just to get on with your day. This article explains how to be polite when interacting with other people, such as when you greet someone, talk, and behave in everyday life.
Step
Method 1 of 3: When Giving Greetings
Step 1. Smile when greeting others
When you've just met or greeted someone, give them a genuine smile to show that you're ready to accept them and that it's a pleasure to meet them. This will help you show friendliness from the start of the meeting.
Step 2. Say “hello” or “hi”
Instead of standing still when you meet someone you know or ignoring the person you want to meet, take the initiative to greet them by saying "hello." Don't wait until he greets you first.
For example: You could say, “Hello, Mr. Samson. Nice to meet you! I'm Kayla. I work in finance.”
Step 3. Shake hands with a firm, assertive grip
When meeting someone, hold the palm of his right hand with your right hand and move it up and down one time steadily. If you both know each other and are fellow women, you can hug her. Practice shaking hands so you don't squeeze the other person's hand too strongly or too weakly.
Residents of other countries greet each other in a different way and don't always shake hands with each other. Learn how to shake hands is considered polite according to the tradition in the country where you live. Look for information on the internet
Step 4. Make eye contact when communicating verbally
During the conversation, make eye contact for more than half the time you are talking. Maintaining eye contact is a way of being polite and showing that you are listening. However, if you keep staring at the person you are talking to, you will be considered scary and disrespectful.
Turn your gaze elsewhere from time to time so you don't keep staring at him
Method 2 of 3: Through Speech
Step 1. Get in the habit of using the words “please” and “thank you”
When asking someone to do something, don't forget to say "please". After the other person has provided a favor, make it a habit to say "thank you" to let them know you appreciate their kindness. For example:
- "Honey, can you pick up my clothes at the laundry after work if you don't mind."
- "Thank you for directly conveying the task-sharing memo for me."
Step 2. Time for small talk
Before discussing business matters or discussing serious issues, start with small talk. Conversation that goes straight to the point is considered rude. Ask how he is, his children, or his favorite food. To lighten the mood, invite him to talk about a movie that's playing at the cinema, a hot TV show, or a book you're reading.
- You can say, “Hi, Rikardo! How are you?" After he answers, continue with, “Looks like you just finished lunch. What's your favorite menu?"
- Try to remember details about the person you are talking to, such as: spouse's name, child's name, date of birth, or date of marriage. Don't discuss unpleasant issues or events.
- Listen carefully and pay attention to what he says during the conversation. Don't interrupt the person who is talking. Show interest by asking questions.
- Do not use jargon and vocabulary that is not necessarily understood by the interlocutor. If you are discussing a topic that is difficult to understand, do not speak in an arrogant manner.
Step 3. Respect older people
In some communities, addressing an older person by name is considered rude. Instead, address them as “father” or “mother” before saying their name.
- If the person in question asks you to say hello by name, fulfill the request.
- Address people who are older than you with “father” or “mother”.
Step 4. Say congratulations
Give credit for someone's success. Congratulations if you meet someone who just graduated, married, or was promoted. You will be considered rude if you ignore the habit.
Say condolences. If you hear the news that someone has recently lost a family member, express your condolences
Step 5. Take control of your speech
Maybe you have verbally abused a friend or when you were at home. However, speak politely if you're at church, school, work, or when you're hanging out with people you don't know well.
Step 6. Don't gossip
If you are invited to gossip about other people, do not be provoked. Polite people don't want to spread negative information about other people, regardless of whether the information is true or not. If your friend starts gossiping, change the subject or don't continue.
Step 7. Apologize if you did something wrong
Polite people always avoid trouble with other people, but no one is perfect. If you make a mistake, immediately apologize sincerely. Say that you are sorry and will not make the mistake again.
For example: You thwart plans for a party with friends that you've been preparing for a few weeks. Say to a friend, “I'm sorry we canceled last Friday's party. After work, I was very tired and wanted to go straight to sleep. I'm sorry for letting you down. How about we go out this weekend?”
Method 3 of 3: Through Action
Step 1. Arrive early
If you make a promise to someone, appreciate the time they give you. Try to come 5 minutes earlier. Leave home early because no one knows what the traffic conditions will be like during the trip.
Step 2. Wear the right clothes
When you receive an invitation, don't forget to read the rules on dress style. If you don't understand the terms a host uses, search the internet for what they mean and see what the appropriate outfit looks like.
- For example: if you are going to an informal business event, wear a shirt with trousers or skirt and a blazer or cardigan.
- Make sure you wear neat and clean clothes.
Step 3. Get used to maintaining body hygiene
In addition to choosing the right clothes, make sure you maintain body hygiene by showering every day, using deodorant, and lotion. Take care of your hair so that it is always clean, neat, and does not cover your face.
Step 4. Observe others if you are in doubt
Pay attention to how other people greet each other and interact. What kind of clothes do they wear? What topics are they talking about? Different situations require different standards of formality and are usually defined by what is considered polite and impolite. If you don't know the standards yet, pay attention to the host or other guests.
Step 5. Learn the etiquette for a dinner party
If silver cutlery is provided, use a pair of cutlery starting from the outermost to the middle. Put the napkin on your lap and don't put anything that wasn't on the table before (cell phones, glasses, jewelry). Place the handbag under the chair between the legs. Don't dress up after sitting down for dinner. If you want to do your make-up or check your teeth, do it in the restroom.
- Do not start eating until all guests have been served.
- Chew food with your mouth closed and do not speak if there is still food in your mouth.
- Do not eat food that smells strong because the smell will be spread through the breath.
- Don't sip the soup.
- Don't put your elbows on the table and don't reach out in front of other people to pick up food. Instead, ask him to help move the plates of food.
- Do not continue to hold and play with the hair.
- Don't bite your fingers or nails.
- Do not put your fingers in your ears or nose.
Tips
- Don't interrupt when someone is talking to another person or in the middle of a conversation.
- Treat everyone well regardless of background, race, appearance, etc.
- Take off your hat when you greet someone, enter a room, and when the national anthem is played or sung.
