Thursday, June 21, 2007 @ 8:00 AM

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The topic “etiquette” made me aware of my habits on how to deal with others. It made me recognize the habits of mine which are considered inappropriate and acceptable. I learned that etiquette is not just about good manners, but also about personality. A person’s etiquette is similar to the way he/ she dresses. It is what gives other people an impression on you, whether it is good or bad. It made me aware of the right ways to deal with people, and the acceptable behavior in certain situations.

In public and professional etiquette, I scored 49 checks out of the 53 that are applicable to me. The 3 “x”s are in “Etiquette in Restaurants” and the other is in “Telephone Manners” namely: (1) ordering directly from the waiter, (2) avoiding talking when your mouth is full, (3) spooning soup away from you, and (4) answering phone calls within 3 rings or less. I had these 4 “x”s because (1) I’m too shy to order directly, (2) I cannot stop talking when I’m engaged in a topic, (3) I find it more convenient to drink soup by spooning it towards me, and (4) I want to make sure that the phone call is not a prank call.

I plan to correct this improper etiquette of mine by improving my personality and by disciplining myself. In case (1), I should learn to speak out and tell him/ her what I want. In case (2), I should shut my mouth and avoid joining too much in conversations especially when on a dining table because I might end up “showering” the person I’m talking to with food bits. In case (3), I should sacrifice convenience because I might get the soup on my clothes, and in case (4), I should try to erase the notion of mine that people who ring the phone less than five times are prank callers.

As I mentioned earlier, etiquette shows your personality. It shows how you deal with people. It is not just good manners, but it also helps make the world a better place to live in.

Labels: Modules 4 and 5