Contemporary Social Etiquette:
Communication
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Contemporary Social Etiquette:
Communication
Jamise N. Frazier
Regardless of who you are or your socioeconomic status, there will always be a need to communicate.
While some people have the gift of communication, others have a hard time communicating
properly. Being a good communicator can do a variety of things for you, including sharing
important information, arguing a specific position, raising your children and most all; just plain
surviving. This lesson will be a guide to assist people in the social etiquette rules for communication.
This manual can be an easy reference for effective communicators or could also be an aid for those
who need a little more assistance when it comes to the rules of communicating.
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Introduction
In this manual you will learn what steps one needs to understand in order to be considered a
good communicator according to society. The greatest benefit of learning and grasping this
information is to help you survive. It is also important that the skill of communication be
learned so that this tool can be utilized in a variety of ways throughout life.
Certainly, if you are reading this information, you have some knowledge of
communication perhaps from previous trainings or resources, but unlike
others, this manual provides specific information and is an easy reference
for people who have a desire to communicate.
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
 become familiar with the steps of social etiquette on communication.
 take a self-assessment to verify that you have learned the steps listed in this manual.
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
What is Social Etiquette on Communication?
Before we can provide the entire definition of social etiquette it is important to note the
two words that make up the entire phrase. The first word;
Social according to (Oxford Dictionaries.com), is defined as
“relating to society or its organization”. The second word;
Etiquette can is described as conventional requirements to
social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any
class or community or for any occasion and is a prescribed
or accepted code of usage for manners, as referenced from
(Dictionary.com). Now bring the two definitions together and you have Social Etiquette.
Social Etiquette is a conduct that is exceptable and if practiced properly, one is less
likely to offend or annoy people in any social setting.
Hopefully, you feel comfortable utilizing the term “social etiquette” and now we can add
the most vital ingredient to this recipes of words. Most importantly, you must be able to
communicate. Communication is way the one conveys information through a variety of
ways in order to exchange ideas, feelings, and opinions in order to manage and survive
in society,
If you understand and comprehend the information present above, please proceed to
the next lesson. If you are unclear or need further information please refer to the
appendix in the back of this manual.
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Social Etiquette Steps on: Communication
Extend a
warm
greeting
Be
considerate
of personal
space.
Be polite
Maintane
Eye Contact
Be yourself
Stick to the
subject
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Step 1: Extend a warm greeting
Whether you are meeting a person for the first time, have bumped into an old friend or
are arriving at a scheduled meeting, shake hands with the other person and offer them
a warm greeting. A handshake, smile and a polite “How are you today?” are all expected
whenever you meet someone. Try to avoid small talk about personal topics like family
or politics. If you accidentally touch upon a sensitive topic, it could make future
interactions uncomfortable.
Step 2: Be considerate of personal space
When people are talking to each other, they usually stand a specific distance apart. Each
person has an invisible boundary around their body that they would prefer that other
people may not come. If someone enters that invisible boundary/personal space; the
person may feel uncomfortable and move away to make more distance between them.
This personal distance may not primarily be due to body odor or bad breath, but
because closeness lends a sense of intimacy that is at odds with their relationship to the
other individual. (Kantrowitz, 2014) The average personal distance varies from culture
to culture. Try to be aware of this, so if the person to whom you are speaking backs
away a little, don't try to close the gap.
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Step 3: Be Polite
Let’s get back to the basics on manners and being polite. Being polite is very important
when you are interacting with a person. You want people to think you are a polite and
professional person even if you are uncomfortable with the topic at hand. IF you find it
difficult to be polite, try to imagine that this person is someone who you have a social
relationship with and that you share same personal interest. Remember the manners
you learned as a child.
Step 3: Maintain Eye Contact
In many cultures, it may be considered impolite or rude to maintain
eye contact with another person, so be cautious of the social etiquette
or codes/rules that are illustrated in the setting that you are in.
However, generally, eye contact is very important. If you do not
maintain consistent eye contact, some people may assume you are uninterested in what
is going on or are being dishonest.
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Step 3: Be Yourself
Being observed as sincere is very important. We know that people are
different, and we like to get to know each other for that reason.
Therefore, there is no need to pretend to be something you are not just
to gain favor or fit in. Just be honest and be the best you, you know how to be.
Sometimes it is okay to stand out from everyone else. Just be cautious of how “real” you
are.
Step 3: Stick to the Topic
When communicating, make certain that you are having a diagloye and not monopolizing the
converstation by rambling on and on about things that may not interest
others in the conversation. Unless, the topic at hand is over and through
verbal communication or body language the speaker is alerted that the
conversation has just evolved; stick to the subject. If you find that people in
the conversation are walking away or loosing eye contact, this may be a sign
that either the conversation is over or the topic that was being discussed has
progressed into another topic.
If you understand and comprehend the information present above,
please proceed to the Self-Assessment. If you are unclear or need further information please
refer to the appendix in the back of this manual.
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
Self-Assessment: Social Etiquette on Communication
Please read the following questions and circle the answer that most appropriately describes
your knowledge in regards to the information learned in this manual on the
Social Etiquette: Communication
5
I found the information presented in this manual helpful and easy
to understand.
Strongly Agree
5
I will use this manual as an aid to refer to in the future.
confident when communication.
Agree
4
3
2
1
3
2
3
2
1
3
2
1
Disagree Strongly Disagree Disagree
1
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree Strongly Disagree Disagree
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree Strongly Disagree Disagree
5
I have used the steps learned in the manual in a real-life scenario
and being familiar with the steps helped me to feel comfortable and
4
5
I would refer this resource to others.
4
4
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree Strongly Disagree Disagree
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree Strongly Disagree Disagree
5
I would use another manual created by the author.
4
3
2
Appendix
The information presented in this appendix is to provide additional resources to further
explain the information described in this manual.
1
Contemporary Social Etiquette on: Communication
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2014, from Oxford Dictionaries.com:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/social
Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2014, from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/etiquette
Kantrowitz, M. (2014). Personal Space. Retrieved October 24, 2014, from Edu Pass: The Smart Student
Guide to Studying in the USA: http://www.edupass.org/culture/personalspace.phtml