Etiquette Rules: We Are Breaking Without Even Knowing It

Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

Manners are described as good or bad to indicate whether or not a behavior is socially acceptable. Every culture adheres to a different set of manners, although a lot of manners are cross-culturally common. Manners are a subset of social norms which are informally enforced through self-regulation and social policing and publicly performed. They enable human ‘ultra sociality’  by imposing self-restraint and compromise on regular, everyday actions.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.

Getting Into a Car

The correct way to get into a car is by sitting down on the seat first and then swinging your legs in. This avoids unwanted flashes and head banging off the roof.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.

The Correct Way to Clap

Never clap in front of your face or anyone else’s. Instead, place your hands in front of your chest and slightly to the left.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.

Scraping Butter

Apparently, it’s improper to spread butter on your bread straight from the tub. You’re actually supposed to take a scoop, put it on your plate and then spread from your plate to the bread.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.

Pointing Your Finger

If you ever need to point at something, make sure you do it with an open hand.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.

Coughing into the Wrong Hand

Your right hand is known as the “social hand,” or the hand that does the shaking and waving. If you have to cough, do it into your left hand.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.

Returning Empty Dishes

If you borrow a dish off of someone, the correct way to return it is with some sort of treat, such as cookies or a casserole, inside.

When you hear the word “etiquette” you probably think of balancing books on your head and learning how to eat soup the correct way. While those are both things that can be taught through etiquette, there are also a bunch of other everyday tasks that have etiquette rules. Some of them you may have heard of and others may be completely foreign to you. Take a look at the list below and see if you’ve ever broken any of these common etiquette rules.