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Is called etiquette rules to a set of behavioral protocols that define accepted social behavior in a given social situation or context.
They can be at a glamorous dinner, at a business meeting or simply in dealing with friends, since these norms, far from being something exclusive to the elites or “delicate” social contexts, govern a good part of our behavior in public and vary according to time, social class and particular education.
In this sense, the etiquette criteria can range from the most basic considerations and close to hygiene, to more refined conventions and a product of tradition. However they are, they fulfill the role of mediators between the participants of a social event, although many times they allow discrimination based on appearances and what is considered “in bad taste”.
Examples of etiquette rules
In the table:
- Sitting at the table with a cap or hat is in bad taste.
- The napkin, if it is made of cloth, must go on the lap as soon as the food arrives at the table. If not, you should stay to one side of the plate.
- Food should be chewed with the mouth closed, without making noises and without speaking at the same time.
- Food is served according to age and gender first: older women first, then women in general, then children, and finally men. If it is a homemade dinner, guests will be served last.
- Once the meal is finished, the cutlery should go together and point to the left.
In a meeting:
- It is the host's duty to ask the guests if they want a drink and attend to their wish. If there is service, the host must transmit the order.
- You should never go to a meeting empty-handed. You must bring a wine or a dessert.
- You should never go to the house of a friend or acquaintance without announcing yourself first.
- Try to be punctual. This means that you can be about five to ten minutes late, at most. Never later or worse, earlier than indicated by the host.
- In some countries, such as Argentina, at the end of an evening with friends, guests must contribute with the expenses assumed by the host. In other countries this is in terrible taste.
At a wedding:
- You should not go dressed in white to a wedding, unless the invitation says otherwise.
- Single friends invite each other always with a companion. If you are invited and the pass is for a single person, never a companion must be taken anyway.
- Centerpieces are not souvenirs from the event and should be left in place.
- The wedding gift (either money or something else) should not be given to the bride and groom, but deposited in the box or table indicated for it in the most discreet way.
- It is in good taste to reserve the presence, that is, to announce the participation in the wedding to which you have been invited. It is, after all, a long and carefully planned event.
In the office:
- It's in bad taste eat on the desk where you work. Space should be varied during lunch time.
- Under no circumstances can one take off their shoes to work.
- It is advisable to go dressed to the office as formal as possible, except on Fridays when it is possible to relax the dress code.
- It is in bad taste to yell on the phone.
- Calls for attention are always made in private. Congratulations are always made in public.
