Class, elegance, self-respect, confidence–these are all qualities any woman wants to have. According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, etiquette is “the set of rules or customs that control accepted behavior in particular social groups or social situations.”
Etiquette provides a basic guide on how to have class, kindness, manners and style in any social situation. The rules of etiquette help avoid social embarrassment, help you feel at ease, and put others around you at ease.
For women, modern etiquette is about more than the right thing to say, being punctual, or how to improve your posture or table manners. While these can be valuable guidelines and are worth learning, a lady’s etiquette today is also about self-worth, honesty, self-love, kindness, and personal space.
Here are four etiquette rules to live by for women today
These five guidelines can help us to navigate today’s world as confident, powerful women.
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Keep Your Word
Whether you’ve made a promise, scheduled an appointment, or have a debt to pay, a high-class woman keeps her word. Other people trust and respect your honesty and honor. Showing up on time demonstrates you care about the person you’re meeting or the event you’re attending while paying a debt or keeping a promise shows honor, trustworthiness, and good character. Aside from improving your relationships, keeping your word boosts your self-worth and self-respect.
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Treat Others in the Way You Expect to Be Treated
Kindness, understanding, caring, good sportsmanship, fairness–these are all ways you expect others to treat you because you deserve to be valued and respected you. How can you get people to treat you that way? It starts with you. Treat people kindly, be caring, generous, understanding, and fair–all the ways you wish to be treated. Most people around you will reflect the way you treat them back to you.
Of course, if someone is treating you poorly, you don’t have to put up with it. You can set boundaries firmly and distance yourself from negative people. However, as much as you possibly can, treat others in the way you want them to treat you.
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Give Your Undivided Attention
Respect others by paying attention. These days, looking down at your phone, texting, or scrolling while someone is talking to you is pretty common. However, it really means you’re not focused on what the person is saying. Others experience a totally different conversation when you’re looking at them, really listening to them, and giving them your undivided attention. This type of respect and focus is an important part of today’s etiquette, whether it’s a one-on-one conversation, an event, a meeting, or another gathering. What it says about you is that you value people more than time on your phone.
If you’re finding people do this to you constantly, you can always gently ask if something important came up that they’re looking at on their phone or if everything is okay. This is usually enough to help another person see that you’re disappointed or feel unimportant by them being on the phone when you’re talking.
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Dress for the Occasion
Value yourself and present yourself in a way that shows you have nothing to prove. Too much jewelry or makeup, or clothes that are designed just to draw attention can cause you to look like you’re trying too hard. If you know your worth and respect yourself, you know you don’t need to try to look a certain way for anyone.
Whether you’re exercising, at school, going to a job interview, or simply spending time with friends, look your best by wearing clothes that are appropriate. Think elegant, not overdone. Respected, not attention-hungry. Think classy, not tacky. And whatever your budget for clothes and accessories, cleanliness is always a good way to show you respect yourself. Keep your body, hair, and nails clean.
Etiquette at ECHO 4 Us Foundation
At ECHO, girls and young women are empowered by a community-based educational program that is all about confidence, competence, and real-world topics. ECHO provides classes and workshops led by experts in personal finance, nutrition, physical wellness, job-seeking skills, leadership, management of stress and emotional discomfort, and working well with others using etiquette and other tools.
ECHO gives young women a meaningful head start, all toward the goal of turning girls into empowered individuals who thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically. Please call today to find out more about classes at ECHO.
