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Quick Fix
An Attitude of Gratitude
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Question:
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I have been working very hard on a project, striving to get everything right, putting in extra hours, suffer stress in the process, miss my lunch and contribute what is best work for the company. My boss fails to thank me for my extra effort and I am totally crushed.
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Answer:
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Office/Business etiquette applies not just towards your clients; but also to your fellow employees. It is a vicious cycle and chain reaction if your immediate superior does not recognize your work. Do not deny anyone with the power of a sincere expression of thanks. Doing so will do more damage to that person’s self-worth and to yours too. This maybe a learning curve to you as you move along your career ladder, you know how best you could armed and strengthen others’ potential into yours when you practice the power of Office/Business Etiquette one day when you become a “boss”.
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The Art of Conversation
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Question:
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I met a colleague of different department in an elevator early in the morning. Just the two of us and I smiled and casually greeted with a good morning and how are you. I received no reply and no eye contact from him. What should I react?
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Answer:
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Eye contact is utmost important in this hurried, distracted world. Practice proper eye contacts provide relational focus. Maintaining eye contact when you know someone genuinely recognizes you and sees you for who you really are. Do stretch out your hand and pad on his shoulders to stop both of your worlds long enough to make true eye contact. It is the strongest way to bond. It shows your presence and existence. If it does not work, send him my business card and invite him to attend my workshop.
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Question:
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As a superior of a multi-national corporation, I have numerous staff under my division. Some of them could understand what I am trying to convey at work but some simply don’t get the vibes out from me. I feel that I have to spend extra time to coach these people and with the press of time, I simply can’t. What should I do?
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Answer:
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We all want to be understood and should seek to understand those around us. Now imagine that the person you are seeking to understand is communicating to you through a grid that has a completely different background. We can be quick to find fault with others when they don’t conform to the patterns or standards we hold. Make an effort to know or understand his perspectives as well as your own perspectives, we often discover that his or her way isn’t the wrong way – it is just different ways.
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Social Etiquette
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Question:
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My schoolmate is forever late for outing wherever to a movie or dining at a restaurant. What should I do?
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Answer:
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Whether the location is cinema or casual restaurant, the same code of behavior applies. Good behavior is good manner, no matter where. Punctuality is essential and no want deserve to be left waiting for more than a minute. An easy way to avoid being consistently kept waiting; when meeting her (who has established reputation for lateness) make up your mind to wait for a specific amount of time (10 minutes is good) and then, without any qualms of conscience, leave. Repeat as often as necessary until the latecomer learns new habit.
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Dining Etiquette
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Question:
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I was invited by my associate to celebrate a deal closed. The wait staff persistently neglected my table; food was completely inedible, we were seated next to busy exit and the traffic was noisy. How do I express my concern since I am not too familiar with the associate?
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Answer:
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Whatever the problem, try to remember that it is not the guest’s role to complain – that job has been allotted to the host who might or might not choose to speak his mind. You could kindly suggest to him to transfer to another comfortable corner depending on the restaurant’s availability. Even if the experience is awful, you must still behave in an appreciative manner. Host is entitled to complain but preferably not in front of the guest. Do it privately to the restaurant manager.
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Question:
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My schoolmate is forever late for outing wherever to a movie or dining at a restaurant. What should I do?I have a tea meeting with someone that I needed to pass some ad hoc jobs for him to do. When the bill arrives, he does not seem to honor his gentleman gesture to take over the bill, what should I do as a lady and a client to him?
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Answer:
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Take over the check, place your credit card gracefully and have the waiter split the bill equally. It is an obvious non-verbal communication without offending him. If he has conscious over his role, an immediate reaction would have been set up. However, it is difficult to settle a bill by conducting a debate over who ordered what and subject the bill to itemized scrutiny, be prepared for a lifetime of solitary dining. Life really is too short to quibble over the cost of a coffee.
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Image & Impression Management
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Question:
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I am graduating soon and will be working in an office environment. I have never put on any make-up. Can I still go without?
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Answer:
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Women who wear make-up can anticipate earnings as much as 12% more than those who do not use cosmetics. You appear polished, defined and groomed with simple steps of powder, lipstick, blusher and eye-liner. Putting on basic make-up is a symbolic respect to the company you work as you are a walking image to your company’s impression management.
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Question:
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How do you define “permanent press”? Do permanent pressed clothes do not have to be ironed?
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Answer:
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Permanent press fabrics need to be touched up in order to look crisp and professional. However, many people mistaking the term, “permanent press” literally and show up for work in wrinkled clothes. Faux Pas!
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Question:
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I belong to cool season and my sister belongs to warm season. What mental accessories compliment us?
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Answer:
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Brushed gold and clear gold are suitable for a warm season. Silver and pewter are suitable for a cool season.
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Question:
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How do you define personal style?
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Answer:
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Discover who you are. Your personal style must support your personality. Beauty is from the inside out. Confidence, authenticity, approachable, attitude are keys to personal style. Know your attitude and your body language. Your negative messages to yourself are like eating junk food all the time. Get to a place of acceptance. In a corporate environment it is important to follow the rules of dressing.
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Question:
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What is a Winning Image?
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Answer:
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The key ingredients to a Winning Image are color, quality and style. Competence is important but substance without appropriate style and behavior will not get you very far. Others do judge you on the basis of how you look, charisma, voice, charm and grace. Do you have a flare in your wardrobe, body language, personal style, business manners or healthily attitudes? The easiest way to signal your professionalism is to have your clothing speak for you, being attractive and confidence.
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Got a question? Write in to us at agnes@etiquetteimageint.com and win a $20 voucher for image and etiquette consultations.
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