How to Deal With Poor Etiquette at Work

There are some situations in which even Emily Post would have to just cringe and bear it. When you find yourself faced with poor etiquette in business settings, particularly if the offending behavior involves important clients, you can develop ways to maintain your own dignity and deal with it.

Instructions

1. Mirror the etiquette infraction if it is not too unpalatable to you. Sometimes what you thought was bad manners is perfectly acceptable to those practicing the behavior. They will feel more comfortable if you are displaying the same behavior.

2. Look the other way. Improper eating habits are some of the most common etiquette mistakes in business. When it is impossible to correct the behavior, find something interesting across the room on which to focus your attention for the moment.

3. Take deep breaths to calm your inner Emily Post. Tell yourself that the occasion will end eventually and that you will soon return to your own controlled environment.

4. Wear headphones if you are bothered by coworkers' poor cubicle manners. You also can minimize offending noises from the next cube by playing soothing music in your own space.

5. Keep your opinions to yourself, unless you are describing offensive behavior to a superior and trying to get help with it. Gossip and harsh judgments of others will backfire on you and could bring your own good taste into question.

6. Revel in the fact that you have a much better chance of being chosen for advancement over any coworkers with poor business etiquette skills. An inner awareness of your own superiority can quell a lot of animosity and help you cope with situations over which you have no control.