Day 1 – Say hello to five people today.

Greeting others in everyday situations will let them know you acknowledge them and are generally happy to be in their presence. It will also open your eyes to the people around you and will create for more pleasant experiences.

If someone is rude and does not acknowledge your greeting, don’t perpetuate rudeness by being rude back. Take the high road and give others the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they have had an especially hard day, maybe they lost their job. Try to be patient and set an example by showing extra consideration and kindness.

Day 2 – Smile often at others.

Your body language – is how you carry yourself including your posture, body position, gestures and facial expressions. Smiling at others portrays a positive image.

Mannerisms to avoid:

• Playing with hair
• Picking at or biting fingernails
• Tapping feet or jiggling legs
• Applying makeup or nail polish in public
• Picking teeth
• Cracking knuckles
• Fidgeting
• Yawning
• Clicking pens
• Chewing gum

Day 3 – Be courteous on public transit and offer your seat to an elder or someone in need.

Public Transit etiquette – Be courteous when traveling on public transit and consider those around you. Do not take up an extra seat with your backpack or packages. Do not subject others to the smell of your messy burger with fried onions or the crunching of your nachos.

Day 4 – Remember to say please and thank-you.

Etiquette 101 – Having good manners starts with the simple things- opening doors, writing thank you notes and saying hello to the people around you. Being polite and courteous means considering the feelings of others. Above all try to be more conscious of your actions and remember to treat others how you would like to be treated.

Day 5 – Make eye contact with people.

Importance of eye contact – Sometimes people have difficulty making eye contact. Eye contact is not only a very important part of the handshake and introduction, it is also important when you are having a conversation with someone. Eye contact tells the other person you are listening and makes him or her feel important. You appear to be a better listener and look more confident and in control. You should make eye contact 40 per cent to 60 per cent of the time during a conversation. A person who makes eye contact less than 40 per cent of the time may be considered shy, shifty or lacking in confidence. If you make eye contact more than 60 per cent of the time you could be thought of as critical or even aggressive.

Day 6 – Monitor the volume of your ipod or radio.

Tuned in or tuned out? Many people think nothing of tuning in to their ipod, MP3 player or radio for inspiration, but what kind of message are they sending? Are they saying, “I am being productive and focused,” or does it say “Don’t bother me?” Are they tuned in or tuned out?

If you use your ipod or have your radio on at work, be sure your colleagues know that you are still approachable and it’s okay for them to interrupt or ask a question. Don’t play your music so loud others can hear it. When you are talking, remove the plugs from your ears so others know they have your full attention. Avoid the air guitar or drumming along. Let others know listening to music helps you be more productive.

Day 7 – Treat others with kindness.

Treat others with kindness – Henry James said there are three things in life that are important. The first is to be kind, the second is to be kind and the third is to be kind. Recognize that there are distinct personality types and people work, act and communicate in different ways. Be prepared to adjust your communication style to work more effectively with others to built rapport and trust. Remember there can be more than one way to complete a task or reach a goal. Treat others with respect and consideration and remember the golden rule and treat others as you would like to be treated.

Day 8 – Try to remember people’s names.

Names – Everyone likes to hear their name spoken and it is respectful to use someone’s name and pronounce it correctly. Don’t give anyone a nickname unless it is what they are normally called. If you are uncertain about the pronunciation of someone’s name, ask them to repeat it. This shows respect and consideration. If it is especially difficult, request their business card. Conventional etiquette says you shouldn’t use a person’s first name until he asks you to do so. Depending on the situation, this can make you appear pretentious. If the person immediately calls you by your first name, then follow their lead. If the person is a senior executive, a public figure or elderly, stick with the honorific – Mr. Mrs. Ms.

Day 9 – Offer constructive feedback in the form of a compliment sandwich.

Handling Mistakes – Everyone makes mistakes. Often it comes down to poor communication or inadequate or unclear instructions. Whatever the cause, it is paramount to find a solution to a problem rather than fixing blame. An easy way to approach mistakes is to provide feedback in the form of a compliment sandwich, start with a compliment and then give feedback about the behaviour that needs to change and then close the discussion with another compliment.

Day 10 – Offer constructive feedback in the form of a compliment sandwich.

Introductions – The most important thing to remember about introductions is to make them. If you are unsure of the “rules” or the proper order to introduce someone, don’t worry about it and do the best you can. It is far ruder not to make an introduction than it is to introduce people in the wrong order.

• Say the most important person’s name first. A person is considered most important according to their rank, position, and age.
• Introduce the person of lesser importance TO the person of greater importance. “Mr. Big, I would like to introduce (TO YOU) Mr. Small.”
• Add some background information that opens the door to conversation. “Shelley, I would like you to meet my friend, Joan Finch. Joan is a teacher here.”

Day 11 – Eat in the lunch room and be social.

Desk Top Dining – A common complaint in many workplaces is the food odours and noise of people eating at their desk. Consider having lunch away from your desk. Studies have shown that eating your lunch away from your desk results in greater productivity.

According to a 2002 study conducted at the University of Arizona, the average desk has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat! Crumbs can attract insects or rodents and spills could potentially be hazardous around computer equipment and keyboards or on original documents. Employees who eat at their desk are regarded as less professional by their coworkers even if they also eat at their desk. Chewing with an open mouth, scattering crumbs everywhere and inhaling one’s food are not the sign of a polished professional.

Day 12 – Be proud of your appearance. Dress nicely.

Appearance – Every day we make choices about what to wear, how to style our hair and what sort of face to present to the world. Consciously or not, others make assumptions about us based on the image we present. This may not be fair and you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but people do. Our clothes do to some extent reflect who we are; they didn’t get into our closet on their own. Accept it, acknowledge that this is how the world works and then make your image work for you. Before you leave home, think about where you are going, what you will be doing and who you will see. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And, keep in mind your body language; put on a happy face.

Day 13 – Share the sidewalk.

Sidewalk Etiquette – When you are walking down the sidewalk, traditional chivalry says that the gentleman should walk on the outside of the sidewalk. When you are with children, adults should position themselves between the children and moving traffic. If walking in a group, be sure you don’t monopolize the sidewalk and make it difficult for others to get around you. If for any reason you need to stop, perhaps to chat or look at a map, move out of the way. Walk with confidence; head up, shoulders back and be aware by watching where you’re going and what is going on around you. (Don’t look like a victim). If you are carrying an open umbrella, be especially watchful and prepare to lower or raise it as needed to avoid hitting anyone.

Day 14 – Hold the elevator door open for others.

Elevator Etiquette – Let those exiting the elevator get off before you try to step inside. If you are close to the control panel, offer to press the buttons for other passengers. Within reason, if you see someone approaching the elevator, hold the door. When you enter the elevator, step to the side. If you are at the back and need to get off, say “Excuse me, please.” If the elevator is crowded and someone behind you needs to exit, exit yourself first to let them off. Conversation with other passengers is not a requirement but a smile, nod, friendly greeting or a little small talk is pleasant and can make someone’s day.

Day 15 – Be patient with others.

Cultural Manners – Every day in our culturally diverse world, we interact with people who may be different from ourselves. They may speak different languages, have different cultural attitudes and historical backgrounds. Not only is it important to respect these differences, but take the opportunity to learn more about other cultures in order to facilitate communication and understanding. Be patient. Keep in mind the other person may translate what you say into his own language in order to understand it and then must translate his response from his language into English to reply. In conversation, avoid slang, acronyms, colloquial expressions and humour, which is often misunderstood. Show sensitivity, speak more slowly if necessary, and check for understanding. If the person’s conversation is very formal or serious, follow that lead and match their behaviour.

Day 16 – Keep your work area clean.

Your Work Environment – You show respect for yourself by taking care of your appearance and showing respect and consideration for others. But what about your workspace? Do you need to clean up your act? Your cubicle gives your colleagues and people around you an impression of how professional and reliable you are. It should be kept clean and uncluttered with documents filed in their proper places. If your area is a mess, others may question the quality of your work. When you decide to clean up your act, do it after work or on a weekend so as not to disturb your co-workers.

Day 17 – Make personal phone calls in private.

Phone Etiquette – You are with your friends or colleagues and your phone rings, should you take the call? Always make or take cell phone calls in private and as appropriate. Excuse yourself and call in a private area where you will not disturb others. If you must use your cell phone in an enclosed place where others may become unwilling listeners, speak quietly and keep the calls to important calls, not idle chit chat with friends.

Remember the person you are with takes precedence over someone on the phone and deserves your undivided attention. This also applies to sending and receiving text messages. It is not multi-tasking, it is just plain rude.

Day 18 – Close your mouth when you are chewing and use a napkin.

Dining Etiquette – When eating out, try a little of everything you are served and never chew with your mouth open, or speak with food in your mouth.

Table manners do’s and don’ts:

Day 19 – Don’t interrupt others.

Don’t Interrupt Others – Small talk is an important part of establishing rapport and is the beginning of the development and nourishment of a bond. By improving your conversation skills you enhance your leadership skills, boost your confidence in social situations and develop new friendships. When someone is speaking with you and letting you learn about them, don’t interrupt them, be patient and give them a chance to finish their thoughts before you begin speaking. This will create a relationship based on respect.

Day 20 – Be outgoing and introduce yourself to others in social situations.

Introductions – When attending a social gathering, do not wait for the host/hostess to introduce you to other guests. It is a guest’s duty to introduce themselves and mingle with other guests. Be charming and engage others in conversation.

At a cocktail party or networking event, carry your food and/or beverage in your left hand so your right hand is free for shaking hands. If shaking hands and carrying a beverage plus a plate of food is challenging for you, do one thing at a time. Remember your purpose is not to bulk up, it’s to meet new people.

Day 21 – Make sure to always use a positive tone.

Tone of Voice – “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” This statement may seem a bit overused but it is extremely valid. When speaking with those around you make sure you are aware of your tone. A positive tone will let others know you are enthusiastic about the topic whereas a negative tone will convey that you could be upset.

Day 22 – Don’t litter.

Respect The Environment – Having good manners means not only respecting others but respecting the environment as well. Treat any property, whether public or private, as if it was your own back yard. Put your own litter or garbage where it belongs according to the rules of recycling in your community. Avoid littering yourself, but also, as a good citizen, take the initiative to pick up trash wherever you see it. If you can, participate in community programs to clean up your neighborhood. Set a good example and encourage your children to respect the environment. Be informed on things are hazardous to the environment and begin a program to “Go Green.” The power of one can be powerful indeed.

Day 23 – Replace empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

Common Courtesy – Show off your manners and courtesy by replacing empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls when they are empty. Many people neglect this simple yet important task and taking the initiative to ensure these products are refilled will show your consideration toward others.

Day 24 – Avoid profanity.

Profanity – Profanity is defined as the use of abusive, vulgar or irreverent language. The English language is filled with powerful words that will help you convey your thoughts without the need to use profane words to describe your anger. Many people are highly offended by the use of profanity and by not using it you will show respect and consideration towards others and yourself.

Day 25 – Clean up your own mess.

Clean Up After Yourself - Take responsibility for your actions and clean up after any mess you have made. Failure to clean up your mess will force others to clean up after you which will lead them to believe you are an inconsiderate slob.

Day 26 – Set a positive example for others.

Positive Example – Good manners are based on respect, kindness and consideration for others. Set the example for others by following the rules you learned in kindergarten. Use the “Magic Words,” please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me and I am sorry. Follow the “Golden Rule”- treat others as you would wish to be treated.

Day 27 – Include your co-workers in conversations.

Professional Manners – Be mindful of others time and don’t interrupt their work unless it’s necessary. When having a conversation at work, be considerate and include all co-workers.

Day 28 – Leave a fair tip when dining out.

Restaurant Etiquette - If you are planning to dine out – whether a large group or just two of you, call in advance to make a reservation. By making a reservation, you avoid long waits, which can be even more awkward if there is a large group of hungry people with low blood sugar. Treat service staff with respect and always leave a tip. If the service is less then expected, you may leave a smaller tip, but never leave no tip. Discuss any problems with service with the maitre d’ or manager.

Day 29 – Turn off your cell phone during meetings.

Phone Etiquette – Telephone calls can be annoying, especially when the phone rings during important meetings or meals. In order to show respect to those around you, during meetings, important meals, gatherings and medical appointments turn off your cell phone. This will allow you to better focus on the meeting and will not create any unnecessary distractions.

Day 30 – Hold the door for others.

Common Courtesy – Everyday we find ourselves in situations where we have the opportunity to show respect and consideration for others by performing simple acts of kindness, such as opening the door. Whether you are in the subway, entering an office building, or exiting a store, make sure to show your manners by opening the door. When opening the door to greet someone at your home or office, make sure to greet guests with a smile and be welcoming.