Can I send a text message just before meeting someone to say that I will be late?
Producer Erwin Nah, 25, waited 2 hours for a friend who was held up at a meeting and who kept sending him texts updating him on the progress, or the lack of it. He says: “I don’t like it when we ser a time and my friend decides to change it last minute. I am usually very punctual, so I have to hang around and wait. People don’t realize it is an issue.” Yvonne Anjelina of The Etiquette School Singapore, says: “When you are late, you are late. As long as one inconveniences another, etiquette has been thrown out the window.”
*My remark: I have been on both ends of having to wait for someone who is late and being the one who is late. I can get really mad at the person and be embarrassed if I was late, yes there must be humility when you make mistakes. I strongly believe in good time management and punctuality. If I had to wait for a person for 30 minutes, it is just too obscene to forgive someone who doesn’t even bother to at least apologize for being late. On the other hand, if you know that you will be late for a couple of minutes (for me, the minimum would be 10 minutes) then it’s best to inform the one expecting you that you’ll be late, so that the other party doesn’t have to rush to meet on time as well or they’ll know that they have to wait instead of wondering why your shadows hasn’t appear in the last 10 minutes. And of course, when you meet the one who was waiting on you, don’t forget to say “Sorry I was late”*
Should Facebook or Twitter be a place to start an argument?
Agnes Koh of Etiquette & Image International says: “Everyone has a right to say what’s on their mind and post anything he wants on his Facebook wall. If there is any content that you do not agree with, say it in a respectful manner. Don’t fight it outright.”
*My remark: Now I have seen COUNTLESS comment fights on Youtube. It always starts with someone posting a nasty comment about the video/video’s artiste/video uploader/anything to do with the video (these people are named “Haters”) and a slew of offended commenters will come and oppose the hater’s comment. Although it can be a bit entertaining to read them (guilty to confess, hehe) but there are ways to argue over a topic, namely in a more civilized manner which EXCLUDES crude words and means accusations. Either debate in a well manner or just keep the nasty remark to yourself. I have seen from a comment somewhere (sorry but I just cant remember) stating “we are not obliged to agree on the same terms” and I cannot that person’s statement more, everyone has their own opinions, if things cannot be settled/agreed upon in an argument then let us just leave things with our own opinion.*
Can I update my Facebook page or Twitter feeds or reply to an SMS or email, when I am out with friends?
Guinevere Ho, principal consultant at Image Mastery International, says: “When you are out with 1 or 2 friends, pay attention to them rather than update yur Facebook page or Twitter feed. While it is less of a guilty charge in a group of 10 people, we still advise that you pay attention.”She adds : “The reason for social media is to connect with friends, so why not make use of the chance in reality to spend time with them?”
*My remark: I totally agree with this. There is nothing more rude when you are hanging out with a person who always checks his Facebook from his iPhone/Blackberry/iPad/whatever conceivable device that can go online during a hang out session with friends. The same goes to those who prefer to listen to their mp3 player when a conversation is going on. It shows that you are either not enjoying the company of your friends or that you are not paying attention at all. Leave the Facebooking and Tweeting to when you are alone and online. Of course if you ARE actually bored in a bigger party of friends (say around 10 people, then an occasional check would be acceptable, but not with a small party of around 5 friends!)
Can I break up with my partner over MSN, SMS, email, Facebook or Twitter?
Cecelia Telkes, associate consultant of Imageworks, says, “It is rude and shows lack of consideration, manners and cowardice. You are better off without a person who breaks up with you over social media.” Make a point to meet and have the guts to talk it through with the person. In the case of a long-distance relationship, use the telephone or even Skype.
*My remark: Yes, douche bags and scum bags, have the guts to break up with someone face to face, not hide behind your computer screen and type things out. A break up needs to be clean and clear off any confusion, doing things face to face will give closure to both parties and maybe a less bitter ending.*
Referenced from Reader's Digest April 2011 article Modern Manners by Nicholas Yong & Huang Huifen
Images are from the Reader's Digest article
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