In this new high-tech, less personal era, people are sometimes being quite rude in their interaction with others. And the others are noticing. So, here are some tips on what to avoid. If we want respect, we have to give respect.
According to Michael Hess, writing for CBS MoneyWatch, these are the “top 10 ways to be rude in business:”
- “Being late: Nothing says ‘your ever-shortening life is less important than mine’ than keeping someone waiting.”
- “Communication evasion: I see this more and more often — the phone rings, Mr. Important looks at the screen and doesn’t take the call even though he’s able to, then immediately responds with a text that says ‘what’s up?’It’s dismissive, even arrogant, and inefficient to boot.”
- “And the opposite… phone abuse: It seems all hope of self control is lost when it comes to our small screen addiction. We’ve all seen it: talking on the phone in a public restroom, texting during a conversation or meeting, emailing in a nice restaurant.”
- “Inviting messages, then ignoring them: If you have a voice mail box, it implies that you check and attend to them. Yet more and more people who have the standard ‘leave a message and I’ll get right back to you’ recording never listen to their voice mail.”
- “Being ungrateful: If someone does something nice for you, show your appreciation. Gratitude sometimes seems to be on the brink of extinction.”
- “Demanding instead of asking: There’s a world of difference in tone between ‘please get me that report’ and ‘get me that report.’ Sure, the recipient often understands it, but would it kill you to add one word?”
- “The cloak of anonymity: Notes without names on them — particularly to customers who may want or need to respond to you or keep records — are obnoxious. Who are you hiding from, and why?”
- “Dropping names: “I’m talking about not addressing people by name when you can and should be doing so. Again, this happens a lot in (poor) customer service. If someone gives you their name, use it when addressing them.”
- “Dissing job applicants: I am amazed at how often I’m told that companies interview good people and never contact them again. If a job applicant is good enough to be asked to visit you for an interview, you owe her a follow up, whether she got the job or not.”
- “Annoying the other 95 percent of the world: America may be the hub of the business world, but unfortunately many American business people act as if it is the center of the universe. I see it when people correspond with overseas companies, and I certainly see it in my international travels. Quiet, humble politeness is a universal language.”
Click the image to read more from Hess.
Photo by Skooba Design