SOCIAL GRACES PD 1 Personality Development and Public

SOCIAL GRACES PD 1: Personality Development and Public Relations Jona Victoriano, M. A.

Social graces are skills used to interact politely in social situations. They include manners, etiquette, deportment, fashion and refinement (also known as sophistication). WHAT IS SOCIAL GRACE?

• Etiquette is a set of rigid rules of behavior in a society. While, • Manners express how much we care about other people, their feelings, and their needs. It is a human behavior developed from the way you were brought up. MANNERS vs ETIQUETTE

COURTESY and RESPECT

• Socially correct behavior is all about observing The Golden Rule you learned in childhood -- treating others the way you want to be treated. This means acknowledging their presence with a pleasant greeting, always remembering to say "please" and "thank you, " respecting their privacy, opinions and possessions, and being a thoughtful and considerate guest, whether it is for a dinner or a weekend stay. Opening doors, giving up your seat on public transportation or simply lending a helpful hand to someone in need without anyone asking are all demonstrations of proper manners. To this etiquette list is added the necessity of giving others your undivided attention by not texting, taking or making cell phone calls, or reading a book while they're trying to interact with you.

THE ART OF CONVERSATION

1. Learn to be a good listener. 2. Offer compliments and always accept one graciously. 3. Avoid asking personal questions concerning marriage and divorce, death and disease, or questions concerning the cost of one’s things, personal income, and expenditures. 4. Do speak the truth. 5. Make an effort to look at each person during the conversation. 6. You should never “steal the show”, by always being the most witty or by topping the stories told by others. Do’s and Don’t’s

GRATITUDE

• Everyone likes to know they are appreciated for kindnesses they have performed. Whether it's a card, a present or a favor, there's no excuse for not taking the time to express what it meant to you. In an earlier era, this was by way of a handwritten note. The advent of technology, however, has reduced this simple courtesy to emails, voice mails, text messages or, sadly, no "thank you" at all. No matter how busy you are, keep in mind it will probably take you less time to compose a thoughtful response than it took your recipient to do the kind deed initially. Another important tradition that has fallen by the wayside is the gracious acknowledgment of social invitations. Never leave your host hanging by failing to RSVP or, worse, bringing along uninvited guests.

TABLE MANNERS

1. Observe your host.

2. Wait for the host to invite you to the table.

3. Emulate your host.

4. Use the appropriate cutlery.

Proper Arrangement of Table Cutlery

5. Be polite.

6. Learn to pass items.

7. Do not fill your plate with too much food.

8. Place your napkin next to your plate on the table when you wish to leave.

PUBLIC BEHAVIOR

• Social graces dictate your being mindful of how others perceive both you and your actions. Talking or yelling loudly, engaging in inappropriate displays of affection, spitting on sidewalks, littering, playing loud music, swearing or cutting ahead of others in lines are all discourteous behaviors. If you travel abroad, you must also follow the codes of conduct observed by other cultures. Consider your physical appearance as well. Dressing inappropriately and/or smelling badly are not the trademarks of a well-bred person.

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