Timeless Business Etiquette

“Keep private life to yourself. Avoid office politics and religious discussions. Keep business life and recreation separate. Don't be interested in other people's work at the office.” – Miss Wava McCullough

Commercial Club sponsors “Etiquette”

Sponsored by the Commerce Club, various articles are to appear in the Corsair from time to time on “Etiquette.” The first article, below, by Miss Wava McCullough, commercial art instructor, is on “Business Etiquette.” Later articles will be on etiquette at games (sportsmanship), etiquette at dances, and etiquette on the campus. 

Business Etiquette  

Making Contacts 

Determine the type of job you want. Talk to your friends. What do they do? Discuss it with your instructors. Do research reading. What kind of a firm do you want to work in? Don't rely on your friends to get you a job. Use business associates for contacts. Use agencies. If you must make a “cold” contact, plan your approach. 

Attitude Is Important 

Don't be a clock-watcher. Try to do more than is asked of you. Make an effort to familiarize yourself with terms needed in office use. Admit mistakes. Think of your job as a stepping-stone to a better job. A job is what you make it. Sit and stagnate or develop it and in so doing advance yourself. You do yourself a favor by making yourself a better-than-average employee. Impress the boss with the quality of your work rather than your personality. Be ambitious but don't push yourself on others.

You and the Business World 

Appearance gives color to an office. Cleanliness and neatness are more important than expensive clothes. Extreme lines and bright colors are distracting in an office. Wear simple, well-pressed clothes —no bobby socks or excessive jewelry. Give special attention to hair and hands. 

Habits 

Be on time. Gum chewing and nibbling are not allowed. Don't slouch. Avoid mannerisms — hair twisting, and leg winding. Use the office phone in emergency only. Smile, be pleasant. Don't complain. Listen, do not talk too much. 

Policy 

Keep private life to yourself. Avoid office politics and religious discussions. Keep business life and recreation separate. Don't be interested in other people's work at the office. – The Corsair, 1945

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

A Tale of Poor Business Etiquette

"Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing." — Author and Reformer, Samuel Smiles

"Customers may forget what you said but they'll never forget how you made them feel." Unknown — "May I venture to inquire your name?" asked the lady of the house. "Oh, any name will do for me; the name of the book is of a good deal more importance to you..." 

Peddling Etiquette:

A Dealer in the Commodity Rebuked

For Poor Manners

Yesterday a Carson lady was called to the door by the ring of the bell, and as she opened the door a tall man with a book under his arm glided into the hall, hung his hat on the rack and slid rapidly into the parlor. "Madame," he said, as he cast his frame into an easy chair, "I'm selling a very valuable book and it only costs two dollars and a half."

"May I venture to inquire your name?" asked the lady of the house. "Oh, any name will do for me; the name of the book is of a good deal more importance to you. I am selling a work on etiquette, teaches you how to act in polite society, treats of good manners, how to receive company, etc..., etc..." "Does it treat of making calls and the like?" "Ah, Madame, I should say so. Devotes five chapters to the latest rules governing calling." And the man opened his sample with a broad grin.

"Does it have any suggestions as to how a strange man should act when he enters a lady's parlor without an invitation and prior to an introduction?" and she fixed a calm look upon the party in the easy chair. The party in the easy chair folded up his sample, moved gracefully to the hat- rack and made toward the gate. — The Carson Appeal, 1884

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber is the Site Moderator and Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia