The P's & Q's of Etiquette

We all want to have proper manners or etiquette. There are some situations where we are unsure what proper etiquette is required. Questions such as: who should pay the bill? Should I give a gift? How much should I tip? And what is proper telephone etiquette? Here are some tips that will help answer those questions:

Question: I got invited out to lunch by a friend. Who should pay the bill?
Most etiquette experts say that the one who offers the invitation is the one who usually pays. But it is becoming more common for people to split the bill. Offer to pay the bill yourself, as it makes for a nice gesture. Never assume your friend is going to pay. It is important to make sure both of you know who is paying or if it is going to be split.

Question: My boss invited me to a dinner party. Should I bring a gift?
It is customary to bring a gift such as a bottle of wine, flowers, or anything else as you see fit. Send a hand-written thank you note soon afterwards thanking your boss for having you over.

Question: What is a customary tip to give?
It is customary to tip 15 to 20% of the total bill after taxes. Another way to figure out the tip is to double the GST. Also tipping varies among different services rendered. If you thought the service was superb give more, if you thought it was sub-par, give less. In the end it is up to you how much you want to give.

Question: What are some proper telephone manners?
Answering the phone:
At work, answer the phone using your company’s name. If at home it is best to answer the phone with “Hello.” If you have caller ID, do not address the caller before they had a chance to say hello.

Taking a phone message:
Write down the message on a piece paper and not on an envelope, shopping lists, or on another message. Write clearly the person’s name, phone number, message, and the time of the call. Initial the message so the recipient knows who to go to if something is unclear. Place the message in a spot the recipient is sure to see it such as a chair or the refrigerator door.

Leaving a message:
Try and think what you want to say before leaving a message. Speak slowly and clearly into the phone your name and phone number and a brief message. Try not to mumble, hesitate, or stutter while giving the message. If this is a business message, repeat your name and number at the end.

In today’s society there seems be no gender lines when it comes to proper etiquette. So all of the above tips apply regardless of gender.