MORE THAN GOOD MANNERS: ETHICS AND ETIQUETTE
As parents, we use every device at our disposal to encourage ˜polite behaviour in our young children. Surely one of our objectives is to raise citizens whose behaviour reflects basic respect for others. Attempting to ˜do the right thing while being singularly unable to treat others with consideration is likely to lead to ethical decisions that reflect an inhuman approach.
If you take a walk through one of your local big-box bookstores, you might conclude that we are currently experiencing a veritable renaissance of etiquette consciousness. Business moguls have arisen to take up the battle cry. Good manners mean good business.
Do you consider yourself to be polite? Are you well-mannered? Are you respectful of others no matter what their place? Are you ethical? Perhaps we need to stop here. What is the relationship between ethics and etiquette?
Similar definitions
If we examine the dictionary definitions of ethics and etiquette, we see striking similarities. Funk and Wagnall's defines etiquette as ˜rules conventionally established for behavior in polite society or official or professional life. [ 2] Removal of the words ˜polite society results in a definition of ethics that resembles those frequently seen in textbooks . Indeed, another dictionary provides one definition of etiquette as ˜ the code of ethical behavior [sic] regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other. [ 3]
Codes of ethics, as set down by professional associations such as the Institute of Public Relations, are really nothing more than conventions for behaviour in applying moral standards to practical dilemmas.
Years ago, when I first began reading about business etiquette, I came upon what one writer suggested as the most important rule: Everyone is important . Basic respect for everyone ”your secretary, the courier, the co-op student, the designer, the client, your boss, the janitor ”both smoothes working relationships and assists in the more formidable task of making good ethical decisions. Besides, Emerson said, ˜It is a rule of manners to avoid exaggeration. As a rule of etiquette in public relations, it might be one worth our consideration.
How are your manners?
Since etiquette is concerned with correct or appropriate behaviour in personal as well as business situations and has, at its root, respect for others, it seems that possessing good manners is a key part of being able to behave in an acceptable manner. And we certainly expect that individuals learn manners from direct instruction by parents and teachers , personal observation of others and trial and error. But many people are still unsure of themselves . So, how are your manners, anyway?
Test your manners
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Do you always say please and thank you even when the person is ˜just doing his or her job ?
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Are you always careful to especially acknowledge when someone goes out of his or her way for you? If you cannot do it at the time, do you remember to do it later?
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Do you always seek privacy for unpleasant encounters?
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Do you always control your temper?
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Do you refrain from using profane or rude language even when under pressure and even in business e-mail?
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Do you refrain from making sexist or ethnic remarks or forwarding jokes that contain either?
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Do you refer to others with the degree of formality that you expect to receive?
(Adapted from A Parsons and P Parsons (1992), Health Care Ethics , Toronto: Wall and Emerson.
If you answered NO to any of these questions, you need to reexamine your basic manners and do something about it!
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Figure 7.3: Test your manners
Perhaps Fred Astaire was right when he said, ˜The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any. If your manners are not what should be seen by children, you might want to do a bit of soul-searching before you even consider the next step in our staircase to respect: demonstrating professional respect for others.
EAN: 2147483647
Pages: 165