Grooming And Etiquette

 

with Willard Chigumira

Essential Social Etiquette Secrets You Should Know

*1. Pass dishes to the right*

🍲🍚🥗If you’re eating a family-style meal (meaning not individual plates, but multiple dishes that are shared amongst the table), you always pass the dish to the right, or counterclockwise. 

#This is very helpful if multiple dishes are being passed at the same time.

#Not only will this help you get to eating faster, but if all dishes are going the same direction, there’s a lot less of a chance of dropping a dish or other food disasters.

#If it's a buffet meal avoid choosing pieces of meat 🍖🥓 delaying other people in a queue, the only thing you can do is to control quantities

#if the buffet is self serving tanha dzaunosvikira.

*2. Introduce the oldest person first*

#In-person training to adults and children, suggest you have to start with the oldest person, or the highest ranking person first, i.e. introduce your Grandpa before introducing your little brother 👴🏽👨🏾‍🦳👩🏽🧔🏼

#The CEO of your company before a colleague. 

#One last note: introduce a woman before a man.

#But there are instances where u save the best for the last usually intros u end with the Guest of Honor but when it comes to food service u start with the high ranking officials till you serve the least person on the guest list

*3.Shake hands the right way*

🤝🏾While you probably know that a firm handshake is very important, shaking hands for the proper amount of time is equally as important. 

#You wouldn’t want to shake your boss’ hand the same way you’d shake your friend’s.

#Shaking hands may seem trivial, but we’ve all been in a situation where the other person won’t let go of your hand. 

#A handshake can reveal a lot about a person

*#PS these days it is not encouraged to have handshakes as it is a super spreader for COVID-19 infection*

*4. Sit across from your partner*

👩‍❤️‍👨Unless you’re celebrating a special occasion, like an anniversary, birthday, or engagement, it’s best to sit across from your boyfriend or girlfriend rather than next to them.

#It’s much easier to have a conversation facing a person instead of having to constantly turn your head to the side. 

#And dessert sharing is way easier with the plate in the middle. Plus it does look a bit odd when there’s an entire table of open space, yet you’re both squished on the same side. 

#Eye contact is improved and non verbal romantic ques facing each other

*5. Use your napkin*

#First things first, always put your napkin on your lap.

 *Napkins should be folded in half with the crease facing you. “Wipe your mouth by opening the napkin and dabbing your mouth inside the fold so that all stains stay contained to the inside of the napkin,”

#And after the meal, never ever leave your napkin on the floor or your chair. Instead, place it to the left of the plate.

*6. Hold the stem of a glass*

🍸🍷🍹Who doesn’t love a good glass of red wine? Well, that’s where hand placement comes into the play. If a glass has a stem you hold it there because we never want to heat the liquid in the glass.

#All types of wines should be held at the stem. In fact, most drinks, like champagne and ciders should also be held by the stem.

*7. Just go to the bathroom*

#🙅🏿‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️No, you don’t need to tell the entire table that you’re going to the bathroom. 

#Never announce you must use the restroom, simply excuse yourself. 

#“You should say “please excuse me.'” Obviously, this rule doesn’t always have to be followed, for instance, if your mom asks where you’re going, but does your date really need to know that you’re going to pee?

#In general, it’s a good idea to just say “please excuse me.”

*8. Brush your hair in private*

#“Never apply makeup or groom in public,” 

#Most etiquette experts agree that applying or reapplying makeup in public is OK, but if there’s a bathroom nearby, just go in it. 

#However, grooming tasks, like brushing your hair and clipping your nails, should never be done in public. 

🙅🏿‍♂️Please stop doing these gross everyday habits in public, too.

*9. Good posture is key*

#Not only is slouching incredibly bad for you in terms of health, but it also makes you look bad, too. 

#Good posture puts less strain on your body’s muscles and helps reduce stress. 

#You’ll have less pain and probably live an overall happier and healthier life with good posture. 

#Want to look thinner? Sit and stand up straighty. 

#Want to ease your back pain? Sit and stand up straighter. Always remember shoulders back. Improve your posture with these *3 easy tricks*

*10. Be kind*

#The most important rule is just to be kind and respectful to all that you meet. 

#This is absolutely easier said than done, but you always want to portray the best version of yourself. 

#Whether you’re talking to your spouse’s parents or the checkout clerk at the grocery store, you should always be thoughtful and kind because impressions are lasting.

Willard Chigumira is an educationist and entrepreneur based in Mutare.