How to Show Etiquette in Business

In the business world, it's crucial to be polite and follow etiquette rules. You may not realize it, but there are many ways you can show your good manners in the workplace. Here are some tips:

Respect the tipping culture

Many people in the United States have a negative view of tipping. As early as 1916, William Scott published a book about it that condemned it as a deeply unequal society and restricted self-respect to the ruling class. The abolition of tipping laws was limited to six states. Today, tipping is still common practice, although it is not compulsory. In most cases, customers will tip only if they feel that they deserve a high-quality service.

Although tipping is widespread in the United States, the culture is different elsewhere. In Europe, the practice is largely ignored. Service industry employees are exempt from minimum wage because they assume they will earn at least that much in tips. In other countries, however, tipping is considered a disrespectful and unnecessary practice. It is not necessary to impose the same custom in your business, but a little bit of extra money can go a long way.

While tipping has become an American habit, Europeans started the practice in the late nineteenth century. They started by offering gratuities to unskilled laborers, including immigrants and former slaves. This practice spread to employers in the early 1900s. The Pullman Company, for example, was notorious for employing African-American porters who were reportedly underpaid. In the United States, however, tipping has returned as a common practice in restaurants.

Women are also negatively affected by tipping. Those working in tipped industries report higher rates of sexual harassment than their counterparts. Moreover, women server's wages and appearances are more likely to be affected. This culture exposes the industry as one of the most affected industries outside of Hollywood. In addition to these factors, it is not surprising that a growing number of women have begun to question their own worth.

Handshake

Historically, a handshake can reveal a lot about a person. A weak handshake can indicate a weak person, while a strong, aggressive handshake is a sign of overconfidence. However, the origins of the handshake are still up for debate, but some researchers believe that the first purpose of the handshake was to check for knives. These days, a handshake is not nearly as important, but it still conveys a lot about a person.

Most cultures practice the handshake as a greeting, but there are cultural differences. In Japan, the handshake is the standard greeting, while other cultures use a bow and other methods. Handshakes in France are a light grip with a single pump, while Japanese prefer a firm, extended grip. It's important to follow the conventions of the country you are visiting to avoid appearing unprofessional.

While a handshake conveys a message, the right way to do it can make all the difference in a business meeting. If you give someone your hand too soon or too late, you will appear unfriendly and nervous. A firm, but not overly tight, handshake will send the message that you're a confident, professional person. While two or three pumps of the hand are generally acceptable in most situations, longer handshakes may be too long for some people.

If you're visiting someone in their office, you'll need to stand. This is especially true if you're a frequent visitor. It is also customary to stop working when greeting a senior executive. While a handshake makes a lasting impression, it's the only physical contact appropriate in this case. If you're in an office with other senior executives, however, it's customary to bow to them as well.

Complaining

How to show etiquette when you're complaining in business can be a tricky task. You should remain calm, think about the other person's reaction, and make sure to write down any notes you may have made during the conversation. Complaints can be made by phone, in person, or by email. No matter how you choose to make a complaint, it's important to remain calm and focused on your goal.

Most effective complainers know what they want. They are specific about what they want, whether they want a refund or a sincere apology. This makes the whole process easier to manage and increases the chances of success. Complaints with clear goals are more effective and have a greater chance of resolution. The How to Complain booklet also includes a sample complaint letter and a list of complaint-handling agencies.

Remember that not all complaints are genuine. Some professional complainers make money out of compensations. Similarly, your silence may not be golden when handling complaints. It could indicate that you agree, which can only aggravate the situation later. It's better to disagree tactfully and state your reasons for disagreeing. If a complaint has valid grounds, make sure to state them. This will help them understand why you disagree and avoid escalating the situation.

Email etiquette

While you should use polite language when writing business emails, there are certain ways to make your messages come across more professionally. First, you should consider the overall tone of your email. Be polite and professional, but avoid using too many exclamation points. Also, avoid overusing punctuation and use bold and italics. You can also make emails more entertaining by using emoticons or bolded words. Lastly, make sure to spell-check and proofread your message before sending it out to avoid spam filters.

As a rule, keep your message short and to the point. Avoid using jargon in your messages, and keep the content relevant to the topic. Emails with a call-to-action are more effective than ones with lots of unnecessary content. However, there are some exceptions to the rules. To avoid misunderstandings and damaging your company's image, follow these tips when writing business emails. Remember: proper email etiquette can make the difference between success and failure. It can also keep your company safe from costly lawsuits.

As a general rule, email etiquette in business emails should be clear and professional. Always remember that the person you are communicating with may not be familiar with your company or industry. For this reason, you should refrain from using emojis or emoticons. These are not only distracting, but they may also make you appear unprofessional. Additionally, it is a bad idea to use exclamation marks in business emails. They may end up in the spam folder or junk mail, so using them sparingly in your emails can be detrimental.

As a final tip, be sure to proofread your emails. Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors will make your emails look unprofessional and will likely be forwarded. You can also employ the services of a writing assistant like Zoho's Zia, which will check spelling and contextual corrections for you. So, follow these tips for better email etiquette in business. You will thank yourself later!