12 Essential Etiquette Principles to Avoid Being Rude

1. Avoid Talking While Eating

In modern society, mealtime is a time for families to gather, bond, and converse. However, scientists warn that talking or being too engrossed in conversation and the words of others while eating can lead to choking, gagging, and loss of control over food.

Avoid talking while eating. Nobody wants to see you talking with a mouthful of food, especially when they're worried about it ending up on their face.

Make an effort to chew with your mouth closed, avoiding visible food. Eating etiquette dictates chewing with your mouth closed. Nobody wants to hear the sounds you're making with your food. Particularly during meals when talking or listening, pause chewing and swallow food. Additionally, to avoid disrupting eating, limit conversation to short, light-hearted topics; steer clear of heavy or important discussions, such as scolding children for a mistake like poor grades, discussing career changes, buying a house...

2. Respect Personal Space When Boarding Vehicles or Using Elevators

Many people assume they are busier and more important than others, prioritizing their own tasks over those waiting in line, thus feeling entitled to cut in. When a few people cut in line, the rest become irritated, leading to pushing and shoving.

Whether waiting for an elevator or a train to stop, remember to let those inside step out before stepping in yourself. Avoiding cutting in line is the bare minimum of etiquette to remember. Cutting in line only creates chaos.

In advanced countries, queuing is a social norm practiced by everyone. They queue everywhere, all the time, even in mundane activities like buying coffee, shopping... Many of us may remember the scenes of queuing for aid from the Japanese during the 2011 disaster. Even in their most distressing moments, they remained patient and courteous. Why can't we do the same?

3. Avoid Using Your Phone in Elevators

The use of public elevators has now become a habit for many people. However, not everyone using elevators knows the unspoken rules and often engage in behaviors that make others uncomfortable.

Phone calls are unpredictable and you never know when you'll be in an elevator. Therefore, when receiving calls in the elevator, be mindful. Avoid speaking loudly when there are many people in the elevator or complain about poor signal. Instead, keep conversations brief and arrange to call back later.

4. Negotiate Instead of Complaining if a Colleague's Scent is Too Strong

Typically, large companies have strict rules regarding hygiene: strongly scented food and perfume are prohibited.

But if your colleague refuses to adhere to the simplest rules, you should act as a skilled negotiator: Request your colleague to listen to you and let them know that conversations will become uncomfortable if this continues. In other words, the conversation will only continue if the other party agrees to abide by the rules.

5. Avoid Teasing or Using Offensive Language with Service Personnel

Respecting others is demonstrated through gestures, actions, and words. Respecting others is recognizing the value of a person and esteeming that value. Respecting others is not overestimating a person's abilities, nor is it crude flattery, but rather an accurate assessment, not excessive.

Be a polite guest and refrain from teasing those who will serve you. If you treat service personnel well, you will receive deserving service; otherwise, it will be the opposite.

6. Avoid Nose-Blowing Carelessly

Experts recommend that you blow your nose quickly and lightly enough so that others don't notice it. If you find this action noisy, you should leave crowded areas and do it when alone.

Above all, avoid blowing your nose at the dining table, even if you're close with your family or friends. Instead, excuse yourself to the restroom, blow your nose, wash your hands, and return.

True ladies and gentlemen do not use paper tissues; they prefer fabric handkerchiefs. This may not be the most hygienic decision, but in practice, it's one of the longstanding social norms.

7. Avoid Picking Teeth or Using Hands to Remove Food Stuck in Teeth in Front of Others

If you notice food stuck in your teeth, instead of picking your teeth with a toothpick at the table, try rinsing your mouth (and make sure nobody notices). If the food doesn't come out, excuse yourself to the restroom.

If this happens to someone else and they don't notice, you can suggest it to them with a gesture: Look at the person and move your tongue around your teeth (keeping your mouth closed). Perhaps then, someone at the table will repeat this action and understand what you're conveying. However, if they don't understand your hint, don't remain silent. Speak quietly to them about their issue and ensure nobody else hears what you're saying.

8. Selfie Etiquette Rules

When taking selfies, it's essential to follow some social etiquette. Always ask for permission, even when you want to take a photo with your friends. Allow them time to prepare themselves mentally before taking the picture because we all want to look our best in our photos.

Avoid taking selfies in bathrooms, in dangerous situations, or near accident sites. These are signs of poor behavior, recklessness, and even cruelty.

9. Proper Etiquette When Using Public Restrooms

Have you ever engaged in conversation in the restroom or left the toilet with water splashed around, out of toilet paper? Whether using a restroom at home or in public, proper behavior will ensure comfort for you and everyone else.

Some other rules to keep in mind:

• Always close the door, latch the toilet
• Don't try to open a stall door when all stalls are occupied. That door may open with someone inside. Two people will surely feel uncomfortable.
• Men should maintain distance in the restroom (by using alternate urinals).
• If you need to touch up makeup, don't stand in front of the mirror near the hand dryer as you will make others who have washed their hands wait.
• Avoid squatting on the toilet
• Avoid making calls, chatting in the restroom
• Don't treat the restroom like your own private room
• Always flush, dispose of trash properly
• Replace toilet paper, refill soap
• Wash hands

10. Listening

For many of us, the ability to listen has almost disappeared. Nowadays, we live in a society where it seems like everyone wants you to listen to them, but few want to listen to you. We all know that listening to others can be uncomfortable, but it can give you a lot of power because people will feel comfortable trusting you.

The first step in becoming a good listener is to listen to yourself. If you are a good listener, you will become a great spouse, employee, business partner, and an amazing parent.

11. Keep Your Phone Away on the Dining Table

It's common courtesy to keep your phone away from the dining table as it's impolite to those dining with you and even to others at neighboring tables.

If your phone rings and you must take the call, explain to your dining companions that it's an important call. But if it's not urgent, it's best to ignore it and call back later.

Offering a seat to a pregnant woman is an important rule. However, it can be tricky to differentiate between a pregnant woman and an overweight woman. Some signs to help you distinguish are:

• Most pregnant women don't wear high heels, and their ankles are often swollen.
• If a woman uses her hand to support her back and constantly shifts her weight from one foot to another, she may be pregnant, and it's better to offer her the seat.

If you're still unsure, you should silently stand up to allow the woman to decide whether she wants to sit or not.