Sue Fox

Practicing proper etiquette means knowing the mechanics of dining, the correct amount to tip for a service, giving a gift graciously, and traveling with ease while exercising good manners.Etiquette tips for diningPeople usually think of the mechanics of eating when the word etiquette is mentioned and for good reason.

Business etiquette is vitally important for representing your company in the best manner possible. Having excellent business manners means two things above all else: respecting others, and treating people with courtesy and kindness. To get started, you should know how to deliver a proper handshake, master the art of gift-giving, and travel abroad without missteps.

Wedding etiquette rules have relaxed a bit over time, but common sense and basic etiquette are still necessary in every phase of wedding planning — and on the big day itself.Familiarizing yourself with what to do before, during, and after your wedding will help ensure that everyone enjoys all your wedding festivities.

When you take a business trip to such a complex, diverse country as India, consider certain important factors in Indian culture when you’re doing business — among them regionalism, religion, language, and caste. You may need to modify your behavior and approach, depending on whom you are doing business with: Language: Hindi is an official language of India.

Business memorandum or memoranda — also called memo or memos — are specially formatted written communications within your business. A memo's format is typically informal (but still all-business) and public. Memos typically make announcements, discuss procedures, report on company activities, and disseminate employee information.

Gift-giving is such a thorny issue in business that most organizations have explicit rules governing the practice. Know the etiquette of giving business gifts to prevent any misunderstanding. Here are a few important elements of business gift-giving: Professional gifts can be quite varied, from food to wine to small conveniences (such as a business-card holder or a pen) to office items (such as a picture frame or a computer accessory).

In business etiquette, handshakes are the physical greetings that go along with your words. Remember that business handshakes are an important part of the first impression you make. You're expected to shake hands in the following business situations: When meeting someone for the first time When renewing an acquaintance When a client, a customer, or someone you don't know well enters your office, cubicle, or home When greeting a host and being introduced to people at an event When meeting someone you already know outside work or in your home When ending a transaction or leaving a business or social event In American business etiquette (and even in non-business settings), a handshake requires the following: Hold out your right hand.

Observe every courtesy when you're on business travel abroad. The social blunders you may commit while working in a culture unlike your own could cost both you and your company business and relationships. If you want your business trip to be as successful as possible, the following business etiquette tips can help: Develop enough awareness of cultural diversity to avoid exposing yourself as a person who may not respect another's culture and customs.

When you've been invited to someone's home, giving the host a small gift (often called a hostess gift) is always a nice gesture, even if the invitation instructs you not to. Offering a bottle of wine, a flowering plant, or a gourmet food item is a considerate way to show your appreciation and display superb guest etiquette.