Cell Phone Etiquette

As the Rudes Get Ruder, the Scolds Get Scoldier!

How have you responded to loud cell phone talkers? Moved away? Told them to keep it down? Asked them for more clarification while they were conversing?

For some reason, people talking loudly on their cell phones in public still are missing all the news lately that it is annoying to others, a breach of confidentiality, and generally rude.

To read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/fashion/15rude.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Your Professional Image and Business Success

What Does Your Closet Say About You and Your Image?

PINK Magazine and Corset Personal Styling surveyed young professionals, senior managers, and business owners on the importance of personal style on business.

Over 60% of women say style impacts career success, yet many claim they have "nothing to wear." More than 25% of CEOs, female executives and business owners admitted to withholding an employee’s promotion or raise because of how she dresses at work.

To read more: http://www.corsetstyling.com/index.php/media/detail/dressing_for_success_in_the_workplace/

Interview Faux Pas

Hiring managers share their worst experiences while interviewing potential candidates. The following topped the list:

- Bad manners
- Being Weird
- Giving a Bad Reason for Wanting the Job
- Letting Nervous Tics Control You
- Too Much Information
- Poor Presentation
- Coming Unprepared
- Forgetting to Clean Up Digital Dirt

For more, see: http://bit.ly/3rDCEg

Tackling Fan Incivility

The University of Minnesota has launched a new system for tackling unruly behavior at Gopher football games on campus: an anonymous fan behavior text messaging tip line. It is currently available only for football games, though it is planned to be implemented for other Gopher sport games in the near future. Fans can text a complaint along with section number for assistance by stadium security.

What are your thoughts on this new system?

To read more, see: http://tiny.cc/FY7C6

Should Airbrushed Photos in Magazines Contain Disclaimers?

An article today in the NYT discusses the ethics and suggested legal changes to airbrushing models in magazines. Lawmakers in both Britain and France have proposed that marketers acknowledge when photos are altered through airbrushing and be required to carry disclaimers as do cigarettes. The concern is that girls and women feel they must live up to such unrealistic expectations created by such altering. Read the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/business/media/28iht-airbrush.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss.

What are your thoughts? Should airbrushed photos contain disclaimers?

The World’s Rudest Restaurants

I was reading an article from the September issue of Travel & Leisure on The World's Rudest Restaurants (http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-rudest-restaurants/1), and found this to be another example of the seemingly growing acceptance of rudeness and lack of civility in our world. The article raises a good question, "What strange impulse makes us seek out such abuse?" Let me know your thoughts.

Ticketed for Swearing in Public

Have you ever sworn in public? Ever sworn too loudly? At a police officer? A Winona, MN man was ticketed for cursing in public under a local law created in 1887. Such Blue Laws were created to enforce moral standards. For more on the story, see: http://tiny.cc/33cIv

Peek-A-Boob and Breast Cancer Recovery!

Eliminate unsightly blouse gap! Peek-A-Boob Strips are the newest fashion must have! Once women discover Peek-A-Boob, they will never get dressed without it again!

Peek-A-Boob Strips are extremely useful for securing temorary breast prothesis after a mastectomy!

Check them out at: http://www.peekaboobstrips.com/

To Save Power, Bangladesh Bans Suits and Ties

To save power, Bangladesh is banning suits and ties for male government employees, including those in the highest levels of government. Men may also wear their shirts untucked. It is expected that this will reduce the need for air conditioning.

Is this an overreaction? A move to more sloppiness in the workplace? Or a sign of the times? What are your thoughts?

See: http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/09/05/to-save-power-bangladesh-bans-suits-and-ties

Brand Image Key to Bank's Success

Study results on retail banking customer satisfaction just released by J.D. Power & Associates found that “overall customer satisfaction with their experience has declined slightly” over the past year. While higher fees have a large impact on ratings, so does a bank’s brand image which includes “overall reputation, customer focus, and personal service.”

Bullied at Work?

Bullied at work? or Bully at work? The advocacy group, Workplace Bullying Institute, finds that women comprise 40% of workplace bullies and target women over 70% of the time; men comprise 60% of the workplace bullies and tend to target both men and women equally.

The revised book by Gary & Ruth Namie, The Bully at Work, will help you defend yourself against a bully if you have been targeted.

Have you been bullied at work? Drop me a note and let me know how you handled it.

Hold the Elevator!

There are many seemingly little things that can make a big impact in the office and make work relationships more pleasant, such as courtesy in the elevator, lunchroom, hallway, mailroom, restroom and more. Don't let yourself think these don't matter because they do! See: "Professional Etiquette You Don't Think About" from MSN Career Builder.