Etiquette is not just about which fork to use. It’s showing respect for yourself and everyone else in your little corner of the planet. In a world where rudeness often reigns, why not stand out for being polite and thoughtful? 

Office Etiquette Rules:

Having good etiquette at work mostly simply means to be considerate and respectful of everyone around you.

1. If you have a door, close it if you take personal calls. If you don't have a door or are in an open plan space, keep private calls short by saying you'll call the person back on your next break, or walk to an area that is more conducive to personal calls like a lounge area or even outside.

2. Keep your computer and phone muted or on silent, so that every time you get an email or message it does not alert everyone on your floor.

3. Do not use a conference room to take long personal calls or treat it as your personal office.

4. In addition to doing your part to keep the bathroom clean, do not use the restroom to socialize.

5. If you're in a meeting, give your undivided attention to the person speaking.

6. Remember that others need to use the communal kitchen too.

7. If someone is nice enough to bring in food to share with the rest of the office, don't leave the cleanup all to them. If you take the last slice of cake, wash the dish it came on and make sure it gets back to them.

8. If you're sick and contagious, you shouldn't be at work, otherwise you risk getting the entire office ill.

9. Think before you hit reply-all. Does everyone need to take the time out of their day to read your note?

10. Email tone is very hard to read, so be sure you're using language that helps the recipient understand it.

11. Don't block the elevator door. If the elevator's full when someone tries to get out, and you're in the way, simply exit the elevator altogether and then re-enter.

12. When it comes to opening doors, only go in front of someone who opened the door if they motion you through. Same rules apply to whoever swiped their card to access the door—wait until the first person has walked through before you follow.

13. Etiquette in general is becoming more gender neutral, so when it comes to opening doors and getting in and out of elevators, what matters more is showing respect to people who are more senior to you in your office. If you're entering your floor or the elevator at the same time as your boss—or your boss's boss—be sure to hold the door open for them and let them enter first.

14. While it's impossible to always be on time, it's important to let people know you're running late.

15. If you choose to put on fragrance, remember it's meant to go on pulse points only and not clothing.

16. When it comes to throwing out trash and recycling, be considerate of everyone's space as much as possible.

17. In the age of social media, remember that nothing is "private" anymore. Don't complain about your colleagues or work on Facebook or Twitter. Even if your account is private, it could get back to them.

Facebook Etiquette Rules:

1. Always show respect, especially when discussing or posting about politics.

2. Quit complaining.

3. Avoid the "humblebrag." 

4. Always reveal big news to friends and family first. Engagements, pregnancies, new jobs, births, divorces, deaths, and any other major life event or news should be shared in person or over the phone before it's shared publicly online. It's both impersonal and insensitive to skip this step and may offend loved ones.

5. Find and evaluate the original source before you share. You may think that popular story is worth a share, but it could be insensitive or deliberately inaccurate. Avoid spreading fake news.

6. Never post photos of someone else's children. Privacy is very important to some parents and families, which is why you should always ask for permission before posting.

7. Turn off automatic posting from other social media platforms. Your friends likely follow you on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, in addition to Facebook, so be sure not to overwhelm them with posts they've already seen or liked by making this quick fix.

8. Never share unflattering photos. Let's remember the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. You wouldn't like it if someone shared an embarrassing or unattractive image of you, right?

9. Never "like" bad news. Hitting the "like" button just doesn't make sense when someone announces the death of a loved one, a divorce, health problems, or any sort of sad or somber post. Use the proper reaction button, or even better, leave a thoughtful comment on the post.

10. Acknowledge tragedies with a simple, empathic message. If you want to share your sympathies after terrorist attack, weather disaster, or death, go for it, but keep in mind this is not the time to inject your political views, judgements, or complaints.

General Etiquette Rules:

1.      Say “Please” and “Thank You”

2.    Smile! - At the cashier, the bank teller, your co-worker. Even if he or she doesn’t smile back.

3.    Hold the Door for the Person Behind You - If someone holds the door for you, always say "thank you"!

4.    Step Outside to Answer Phone Calls - Sometimes you have to take the call, but is it always that important? It’s not so fun to hear your conversation when we’re trapped behind you in line.

5.    Look At the Person Who Is Speaking to You – Seriously! Look up from your smartphone!

6.    Cough or Sneeze Into Your Elbow - Make sure you're doing what you can to avoid spreading germs.

7.    Handwrite Thank-You Notes - He or she took the time to send the gift; Take the time to show you care.

8.    Put Your Smartphone Away During Meals - Right. Now!

9.    Be On Time - We’re all busy, so please stop making people wait for you. 

10.    Clean Up After Your Pet - It’s just plain icky to leave it.

11.    Always RSVP - Do it right away before you forget!

12.    Ask Before Posting - Not everyone wants to be all over social media, and you’re not a reporter, so stop spreading the news.

13.    Keep the Noise Down at Work - Silence the ringer on your smartphone, speak quietly, and turn the sound down on your dinging email so it’s not bugging everyone in the other cubicles.

14.    Shake Hands Firmly - Stand and make eye contact when you do it.

15.    Dress for the Occasion - Know how to rock it for the club or dress modestly for a funeral.  Please wear your PJs at home, not to the grocery store!

16.    Use Your Turn Signal - It's not just courteous, it can help avoid an accident.

17.    Wash Your Hands After Using the Bathroom - Because just… eww!

18.    Park Your Shopping Cart On the Side of the Aisle - Not in the center! The rest of us are shopping, too.

19.    Clean Up After Yourself - At home. At work. At a friend’s house.

20.  Be a Pleasant House Guest - Make your bed. Don’t monopolize the bathroom. Take your hostess out to dinner or send a gift later. You want to be invited back, right?

21.    Wait a Day Before Reacting to a Snarky Email or Text - We know it’s tempting to slam the person immediately, but that often backfires. 

22.    Wait Until Everyone Has Been Served to Start Eating - No matter how much you want to dig in ASAP.

23.    Stay Home When You're Sick - Some things, like your cold, should not be shared.

24.    Knock Before You Enter - No one likes to be barged in on.

25.    Remember Your Table Manners - Napkin on your lap. No elbows on the table. Chew with your mouth closed.

26.    Reach Out to People Who Are Grieving - Don’t pretend nothing happened. If you don’t know what to do, simply say you’re sorry.

27.    Let People Get Off the Elevator First Before You Get On - The same rule goes for the train and the bus.

28.    Teach Your Kids Good Manners - Lead by example.

29.    Silence Your Smartphone At the Movies -  Stop crinkling that candy wrapper so loudly!

30.    Help Someone Who's Clearly Struggling - The next time you see someone straining to reach something on the highest shelf at the grocery store, help them out!

31.    Don't Groom Yourself In Public - Don’t clip your nails, brush your hair, or floss your teeth in public. Because it's just gross.

32.    Learn to Say You're Sorry - Be the bigger person!

33.    When You Enter a Room, Greet Everyone - No one likes to be ignored.

34.    Return Calls - If someone takes the time to leave you a voicemail, take the time to call him or her back.

35.    Never Show Up Empty-Handed - Check out our favorite hostess gifts and housewarming gifts.

36.    Be a Pleasant House Guest - Make your bed. Don’t monopolize the bathroom. Take your hostess out to dinner or send a gift later. You want to be invited back, right?