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“The problem with meeting manners is people don't realize
that they matter.“
-- Anonymous
"We should restore the practice of dueling. It might
improve manners around here."
-- Edward Abbey
The benefits of good manners are obvious. They make your professional relationships
more productive and increase the likelihood of effective problem solving
in teams. A recent US World and News Report poll indicated that rudeness
had increased so dramatically that society was experiencing a “profound social
breakdown.” 89% of the individuals polled said that it was a serious problem
in today's society. Only 10% confessed to ever being rude! Common sense tells
us that at least a few more people out there are being rude, but as I like
to say, “There's nothing common about sense.” There are just some times when
we don't realize that our manners are not as good as they could be.
Below is a list of common manners that are often forgotten:
- Say Hello/Introduce Yourself. Greet each participant.
Introduce yourself to people you don't know. Make eye contact
and smile.
- Arrive On Time. Be considerate of other peoples'
time.
- Grooming/Posture. Dress for the meeting, not
for yourself. Your clothing and posture create an impression.
Try to create a positive one! (Don't put your feet up, lean on
the table, or snap your chewing gum.)
- Pagers/Beepers/Cell Phones. Turn off cell
phones and put pagers on vibrate.
- Pay Attention. Don't read e-mail, memos, or
other items when someone else is speaking. Don't carry on side
conversations. Twisting paperclips and doodling gives the impression
that you really don't care.
- Avoid Foul Language and Sarcasm. Remember
why you're there.
- Be Prepared. Don't make yourself look like
the kid who got caught not doing his or her homework.
- Don't Interrupt. It's an annoying speaking
habit and you don't want to miss out on everyone else's good
ideas, do you?
- Don't Leave Early. If it can't be avoided,
tell the others at the beginning that you will be leaving at
a specific time and apologize in advance for any inconvenience
this may cause.
- Clean Up After Yourself. Throw away your discarded
papers and any soda cans and trash you may have generated. Do
not assume that someone else will clean up your mess.
Adopting good manners can help any meeting run smoothly and allow
you to make a good impression on others. At an Association Meeting,
you're working as a team for the betterment of your own neighborhood.
Remember actions speak louder than words and irritating your neighbors
is NEVER a good idea!
Association Times' Staff Writer
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