You know that guy. You do your best to avoid him, because he’s always interrupting everyone’s workflow by talking loudly to his buds on his iPhone, eating odoriferous, oniony cheese-steaks at his desk, or snagging you in the hall to yammer away about his weekend – when all you wanted was a quick bathroom break and just one little cup of coffee…

No one actually wants to be “that guy,” and with the advent of new technologies, coupled with multiple generations and diverse populations laboring together in the workplace, the guidelines for office etiquette are changing. There are new rules to consider, and many of the old ones have an updated twist. Your manners in the workplace have a direct impact on how others perceive your level of professionalism, your maturity, your likability, and even your promotability! So let’s take a look at contemporary workplace etiquette and see where we might make a few improvements.

Below are some DO’s and DON’Ts that will strengthen your image as a true professional and a class act:

• DO introduce yourself when meeting new people. DO smile, offer your name, make direct eye contact, and use an assertive handshake. And when you interact with people you’ve already met, DON’T wait for the other person to remember your name – say your name once more, so that they don’t have to struggle with remembering it.
• DON’T assume nicknames, like “Sue” for “Susan,” or “Bob” for “Robert.” DO ask, “What would you like me to call you?”
• DON’T ask for a business card so you can remember a name. DO say, “I want to spell your name correctly,” and be prepared to write. That gives the person a chance to hand you his or her card, but saves embarrassment if the person doesn’t have one.
• DO greet co-workers when you see them, but DON’T linger in common areas talking for more than two minutes. They may have important business to accomplish; plus, the noise you create can distract others.
• If you are maligned in an e-mail, DON’T reply to all; DO call the person who made the remark and say, “I believe I was copied on something you didn’t have a chance to edit.”
• In general, DO consider who really needs to be included, before you send any group emails. Most people will be grateful if you can spare them from having to read in a back-and-forth email chain that doesn’t actually involve them.
• DON’T end your e-mails with a quote. It annoys those who read on mobile devices. DO allow the message “sent from a mobile device,” though (if you are indeed working from a mobile device), since that may excuse any fat-fingered typing errors.
• DON’T pump up the volume on your MP3 player. If you see someone nearby mouthing the words of the song you’re listening to (or worse, attempting to plug their ears while working), DO turn it down and apologize.
• DON’T apply perfumes or colognes at work. Many people are scent-sensitive, and the aroma may be overwhelming to someone else. If you choose to wear perfume or cologne, DO put it on at home or in your car, and go lightly with the application. (And, just to be safe, you may want to avoid wearing perfume or cologne altogether when you’re at work.)
• DON’T complete your personal grooming at your desk. DO your grooming at home, or duck into a restroom to make any minor corrections or adjustments.
• DON’T microwave or eat something that smells so strong the people down the hall know what you’re having for lunch. DO consider that your co-workers may not want to smell what you’re eating.
• DON’T start a conversation with silly jokes or filler sentences. DO start with an opener that means something. Instead of, “I wanted to touch base with you” (which is not only overused, but boringly unoriginal), try, “We have an opportunity to save $30,000. Would you like to discuss that now or later?” Guess what? People will be a lot more interested in what you have to say.
• DON’T dial calls on a speakerphone. You’re contributing to the ambient noise factor; plus, you’re implying you think you’re too important to pick up the phone and conduct business in private. DO ask for a headset at work if you need your hands free.
• DON’T allow your cell phone to ring audibly in the office – even if you have the cutest ringtone imaginable. It’s obnoxious and distracting to others. DO use the vibrate function.
• DON’T use your cell phone during business or social events. It implies that you believe the call to be more important than the event you’re attending or the people you’re with. Exception: If a family member has a medical emergency or condition that you need to be monitoring (e.g., your spouse/partner is pregnant and due any moment, or your parent is having major surgery that day), most people will understand. But let them know why you’re checking your phone. Then, if you must take or make a call, DO quietly remove yourself and speak in private.

When it comes to good workplace manners, if you act professionally, treat everyone respectfully, and model the kind of behavior you’d like to see from others (it’s the old “do unto others” rule, which is always a good idea), you’ll be the kind of co-worker who’s admired, appreciated, and well-liked.

Now, all you have to do is pass this blog along to the guy next to you—the one who’s eating garlic chicken while trimming his fingernails and listening to dubstep…

Questions, comments, suggestions for future topics? Contact me at denisemdudley.com. Thanks to all my followers and subscribers! I appreciate you very much.