SOCIAL GRACES/ ETIQUETTE

At the end of the topic you shall be able to:

•Apply rules of proper behavior including the proper
courtesies of life that many of us have forgotten or may not
have learned
•To be able to develop your own style
SOCIAL GRACES

• Social graces are skills used to interact politely

in social situations.
• They include manners, etiquette, deportment and fashion.
• These skills were once taught to young women at a
finishing school or charm school.
• It is society's rules for acceptable kindness.
• Social graces include our manners practice in our daily
life. Manners-are the way of doing things, accepted by
society. It is a human behavior developed from the way you
were brought up. Practicing Good manners gives you
increased self-confidence, poise, self-respect, and makes
people react to you in an unusual way.
 WHY IS SOCIAL GRACES
IMPORTANT?
• Learning social graces can help learners establish
connections to their classmates, potential mentors, and
business partners in the future.
 ETIQUETTE

• The rules indicating the proper way to behave.

• Word “etiquette” comes from Old French,
and means “ticket” or “label”
• Originally meant the ticket of entrance to
France’s court ceremonies-upon this ticket
were written the rules of court behavior.
 BASIC SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

• ALWAYS SAY PLEASE, THANK YOU, YOU’RE

WELCOME, and I’M SORRY
• It’s as old as life itself, but still appropriate. It’s never
offensive, often expected, and easy to do.
• With each request – SAY PLEASE
With each completion – SAY THANK YOU
• With each gratitude received – SAY YOU’RE WELCOME
• With each error - APOLOGIZE
SOCIAL GRACES AT WORK:

• Meeting and introducing:

Five S’s of meeting:
Stand, Smile, See their eyes, Shake Hands, Say “Hello”.
• Failing to introduce people in a business situation makes you
look downright unprofessional.
• Always rise as a mark of respect.
• Look into the eyes and smile
• Give a firm handshake
INTRODUCTION PROTOCOL

• Junior is introduced to senior

• The rule is to say important person’s name first. Add a few words
about
• that person
• If you forget someone’s name during an introduction, don’t panic.
Look the person directly in the eye and with a sincere smile, say
“I’m sorry, but your name just slipped my mind. Could you remind
me?”
• Stay around till both the parties start speaking.
HANDSHAKE

• Handshake is a gesture of acceptance and welcome

• Extend your right hand
• Web to web, finger to finger

• Give slight pressure

• Grasp the other person’s hand firmly and completely
• Look into the eyes and smile
• Release the hand in three seconds
• But no matter what, never, ever refuse to accept someone’s hand
ON THE TELEPHONE

• The telephone is the most important tool used in our business

activities.
• It is our link to the outside world. That is why it is critical for us to
• understand why professionalism matters the most on the phone.
• Whether you're on the phone or talking to a colleague, avoid being
loud.
• If you have a received a call on your cell phone, it's a good idea to
take a walk down to the corridor or find another room.
ON THE TELEPHONE

• Use your mobile’s vibrating/silent feature if you need to leave it on.

• Avoid making personal calls at your workstation.
• Be especially quiet in areas where coworkers are on business calls or
in conversations with other coworkers.
• Avoid phone calls while driving.
• When you are with your friends, keep the call short.
• Switch off or put on vibrate mode your mobiles during meeting,
workshop, seminars, etc.
EMAIL ETIQUETTE:

• Be concise and to the point

• Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation

• Make it personal. Avoid using Bcc and Ccc unnecessarily

• Use templates for frequently used responses
• Answer swiftly
• Use a meaningful subject
• Read the email before you send it
EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Keep attachments to a Minimum and mention your

attachment in the
• content
• Take care with abbreviations and emotions
• Take care with rich text and HTML messages
• Use active voice instead of passive voice
 MANNERS IN DINNING
ETIQUETTE
• Be on time
• Wait to sit until host/hostess indicated the seating arrangement
• Stand on the right side of your chair and enter from your left
• Put your napkin in your lap
• Don’t eat with your mouth full
• Keep one hand in your lap unless you are eating European style
 MANNERS IN DINNING
ETIQUETTE
• Remove anything from your mouth with the same implement that it
went in with (except bones)
• Eat at a moderate speed
• Try to maintain some polite dinner conversation
• Never medicate yourself at the table
• If you must leave the table, place your napkin in your chair
OFFICE ETIQUETTE

• Those who follow good office etiquette are promoted and

given choice assignments.
• Those who are seen as crass are passed over or have their
employment terminated.
• Be self-aware-use common sense
• Mind your own business
OFFICE ETIQUETTE

• Never go over your supervisor’s head

• Obey your company’s business dress code
• Treat every employee with the same respect
• Do not post things of an offensive nature
MEETING ETIQUETTE

• Avoid swear words and vulgar references

Poor communicating skill is not professional Avoid
personal questions during first meeting
• Whoever gets to the door first should open it and hold for
others who are following
• Turn off your cell phone ringer ,accept voicemail and text
messaging only
DRESS ETIQUETTE

• The Professional looks

• Simple but Classy
• Grooming(dressing well)
• Hair clean and styled appropriately
• Clean nails, skin and teeth
• Many professionals wear make-up (depends on field)
• Check fragrance and clothing care
DEVELOPING AN
EMPOWERED
PERSON
POWER DRESSING
 POWER DRESSING

Equals confidence and allows you to express the position you

have through the clothes that you wear. 
POWER DRESSING TIPS

1. Dress like you care – always display professionalism

It is important to always dress appropriately and create a
positive representation of yourself
POWER DRESSING TIPS

2. Dress suitably – consider 3 things in planning what to wear

at work :your industry, company and work

People who work in banks or law need to dress more

traditional than individuals who work for creative industry
such as artists or writers.
POWER DRESSING TIPS

• 3. Know what are your clothes meant for

What’s the purpose of your clothes?
• Beach outfits must be worn on the beach.
• Formal outfits must be worn at weddings or formal gatherings

• NEVER wear them to work or make them work clothes

substitute
POWER DRESSING TIPS

• 4. Avoid showing of too much skin

• Some studies show that showing too much skin in the office
has a psychological impact on colleagues.
• Women who are dressed in revealing outfits are perceived to be less
competent.
• Females who are more competently dresses would much likely get a
promotion compared to those not dresses conservatively.
POWER DRESSING TIPS

5. Always be well groomed

•Keep your hair neat and nails clean.
•Do not wear wrinkled clothes.
•Clothing with inappropriate or offensive terms or words is
not suitable for work.
POWER DRESSING TIPS

6. Understand the importance of FIT

•It’s the first rule in buying any kind of clothing
•Perfectly fit clothes should flatter your body
•Draw attention to portions of your body you would highlight
POWER DRESSING TIPS

7. Maintain your style

• Its important to feel comfortable with your own style and
not to try to dress like any other person.
POWER DRESSING
POWER DRESSING
POWER DRESSING
POWER DRESSING
TIPS FOR DRESSING WITH
POWER AND STYLE
• Wear a suit with a classic cut of lightweight fabric
• Choose a neutral color that suits you well (with minimal
pattern)
• It must fit you perfectly
- skirts must be just above the knees
- pants must be above the ankle
TIPS FOR DRESSING WITH
POWER AND STYLE
• Wear a great shirt that fits snugly
-don’t show cleavage
-if you don’t plan to wear accessories, wear printed blouses
• Closed shoes must be comfortable but with a bit of height
-sandals are a no-nos
TIPS FOR DRESSING WITH
POWER AND STYLE
• Add color to enhance the air of power
-RED-authoritative color
-RED LIPSTICK
• Wear jewels that are placed strategically
-pearl necklace and earrings
-brooch
- too much bling is a no-no
TIPS FOR DRESSING WITH
POWER AND STYLE

• Bags could come in handy

- neutral colors
- not too big or too small
• Be groomed
- sport a clean and sleek hairstyle
- wear minimal make-up
THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES
TIPS FOR DRESSING WITH
POWER AND STYLE
- have a manicure
- no flashy or playful nail colors

“POWER DRESSING IS ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT ATTITUDE”

GOOD GROOMING

Grooming is about presenting yourself in the best possible

way. It tells people what you think of yourself.

ESSENTIALS:
1. Aim for a fresh, healthy appearance
-learn to do your make-up elegantly (even and free of
smudges)
GOOD GROOMING

2. Wash hair regularly

- never scratch your head, comb or tie hair in public
3. Find a hairstyle that suits the shape of your face
- consider your lifestyle
(low maintenance hairstyle)
GOOD GROOMING

4. Exercise gives good posture

-builds self-esteem and confidence because you feel good
about yourself
5. Nails should be polished
THE IDEAL WARDROBE

KEY- understand your lifestyle

• Having a large quantity of clothes is not a must
• Planning, editing and maintaining are crucial steps
• Acquiring the basics
• Mixing and matching elegantly
THE IDEAL WARDROBE

• THE BASICS
A pair of dark colored pants
A skirt (long or short)
A white shirt
A matching blazer
A little black dress
Neutral colored pumps
An office bag
DO’S AND DONT’S

• DON’T PAIR PRINTED UPS AND DOWNS

• IF HORIZONTALLY-CHALLENGED
do wear vertical patterns
do wear dark shades
do wear flowing fabrics
don’t wear frills and ruffles
don’t wear heavy materials
THE IDEAL WARDROBE

• IF VERTICALLY-CHALLENGED
do wear clothes with one shade
do wear clothes with one pattern
do wear skirts above the knees
don’t wear large belts
THE IDEAL WARDROBE

• IF SLIM
do wear prints and large patterns
do wear heavy fabrics
don’t wear vertical designs
• IF TALL
do wear horizontal patterns
don’t wear empire waist cuts
THE IDEAL WARDROBE

ACQUIRE CLOTHES THAT WILL LAST THROUGH ANY FASHION

SEASON.

WEAR CLOTHES FOR COMFORT.

Treat your wardrobe as you would your cash.
If your work or school has uniform, lucky you, but if you
have make choices for your daily needs, then you have
to make wise choices to consider your money value and
look smart.

In our current society, clothes are important and

revealing part of life, beyond basic protection against
the elements, they are a statement of individuality,
status and creativity.

Clothing is for protection, comfort, modesty, and

enhancement of beauty.