How to Avoid Bad Manners At The Office

Don't Be An Office Pest!

Using good manners is so important while working in close quarters with people all day. Many workers do not follow proper office etiquette, which creates a stressful atmosphere. Here are some ways to avoid bad manners and gain appreciation in the workplace.

Instructions

1. 

   Food smells in the workplace should be kept minimal. There is nothing worse than the stench someone's fried fish sandwich burning up in the microwave down the hallway in the kitchen. Also, avoid popping popcorn in the afternoon. The odor travels for miles. Specially flavored popcorn makes people wish they had gas masks. Try not to eat heated food, or a sandwich with onions, at your desk. Go out to your car at lunch, to a restaurant, or eat in the kitchen if there's no other place.

2. 

   All those Bath and Body Works products you got for Christmas? Save them for weekend use. It is amazing how strong seemingly innocent fragrances can be in cramped quarters, such as cubicles. If you put on scented hand lotion during the day, does it never tail that someone walks by saying, "What's that I smell? It smells like melon! Ew! What IS that?! Did someone use a cleaning product around here?"

3. 

   Clipping your nails at your desk does not go unnoticed. Do not think for a second that no one is listening to that clip clip clip sound. So you have no time to do it outside of work and the only time you notice you need a clipping is at work! At the very least, step outside or into the bathroom for a quick trim.

4. 

   Excessive talking is annoying. There are people in every office who won't shut up. Do you cringe when a certain coworker starts talking to you, because you know they will go on and on? Discourage excessive talking by using headphones, acting extremely busy, and excusing yourself when conversations drag on too long. Also, if you have a tendency to gab, put limits on your time-wasting habit.

5. 

   Does everyone at work know every detail of your personal life? No need to share so much, as very few people actually care. If you need friends, get them outside of work. If you don't have time for a social life outside work, there's always the internet for quick connections with people. Keep more of your personal affairs to yourself and you will be given more respect at work.

6. 

   Don't ask for money at work, unless it's for a deserved raise. By asking for money, I mean hitting people up to participate in fundraisers. Also, I mean collecting money for baby showers, retirement gifts, birthday parties, and the like. No one likes to be put on the spot to chip in $20 for a baby gift for so-n-so who works down the hall. If you must be involved with this sort of stuff, sending out a generic email to people inviting them to contribute if they so wish would probably be the best tactic.

7. 

   Constantly being away from your desk is a drag. If you get up to pee, eat, call your boyfriend, or visit with your friends 100 times a day, and other people have to answer your phone, STOP doing it! The people who are answering your phone are resentful, and your absense is being noticed by your supervisor. Take care of your personal business on your own time, or sneak it in at your desk if you have to. No need to get up and run away every ten minutes.

8. 

   Quit borrowing everyone's stuff. It's a bad habit. Do you have a working stapler, 3-hole punch, tape dispenser and ruler to call your own? If not, get them! Ask for what you need to be included on the next office supply order. Make sure you have plenty of pencils and pens, too. Constantly asking to borrow other people's stuff is annoying. Oh, and don't forget to keep snacks in your desk at all times. Saying, "I'm hungry," and then waiting for people to offer you items from their snack drawers is hideous. Even though people offer and would never in a million years admit they are annoyed, they are!