Looking for a good New Year’s resolution? Consider these etiquette basics

Q. My wife and I had a New Year’s dinner party with some of our friends, and we started talking about how there is some lacking in etiquette in our society today.

As the comments started coming from our guests, my wife made a list. We decided to share it with you and perhaps your readers so maybe it would help a lot of people recognize if they are doing some of these things, they might make it a New Year’s resolution to stop.

The overall goal being that our society might become a little more respectful of each other.

A. Thank you so much for sharing the comments from your New Year’s Day dinner guests about a problem which does exist in our society — a certain amount of lack of good manners.

The New Year, and anytime really, is always a good time to reflect and make resolutions to make changes in ourselves and our society – even if we aren’t successful in keeping them for very long – at least we tried. And who knows, maybe your next resolution will last longer.

Note: I have added my comments below each numbered comment.

1. Do not talk on a cell phone when interacting with a sales person in any type of business, e.g., grocery store, drug store, gas station, drive-thru fast food or department store.

I agree, this is very rude and disrespectful. Furthermore, no one wants to hear what you are talking about on your phone.

2. Related to 1 – Do not conduct a private cell phone conversation in a public building, elevator, restroom, library or restaurant where other individuals can easily overhear your conversation. Wait to make the call or take the call until you are in a private location such as your car or your home.

I agree. This is especially uncomfortable for everyone when the speaker is on. No one wants to hear about someone else’s boyfriend or girlfriend problems, or financial problems, or work problems. Again, wait to take the call or make the call until you are in a private location. You never know – the person next to you may recognize the person with whom you are speaking or about whom you are talking.

3. Don’t take personal calls when sitting with other people at a restaurant.

I agree. An exception may be that you are waiting to get a call from a sibling regarding the health of an ill parent or friend. In that case, please advise everyone at the table that you may be receiving a very important call regarding the health of a loved one and if you get the call, you will excuse yourself to take your call outside or in the lobby.

4. Open doors for others when it is obvious they have items in their arms and need assistance, whether they are male or female, whether you know them or not, whether they are young or old, whether they are colleagues or not.

Yes, Be observant and helpful.

5. Do not address or respond to anyone other than your own girlfriend, boyfriend, mother, daughter, son, husband by saying, “Sweetie,” “Honey,” “Hon,” or “Dearie,” etc.

Oh my yes, this is a biggie when it comes to being disrespectful! It is “Ma’am” or “Sir.” Or if you know them, it is “Mrs. Jones,” “Miss Jones,” Ms. Jones,” or “Mr. Jones.” I think this subject has come up from one of my readers in one of my previous columns, but it is such a societal blemish that is worth mentioning again.

6. Send handwritten thank-you notes to home addresses or office addresses depending on from whom the gift is received and the event.

Yes. Even though you send a text or an email, follow it up with a handwritten note. Or better yet, send the handwritten note.

7. Notify the sender of a gift as soon as you receive it.

It is so rude and disrespectful not to show how grateful you are when someone sends you a gift by letting them know you have received it. You can do this by phone call, text or email, but it should be done no later than the day it is received.

8. Do not invade someone else’s personal space like when you are in line at the post office or grocery store or theater.

Yes, getting too close to someone – whether speaking to them or not, whether you know them or especially if you do not – makes that person very, very uncomfortable.

9. Be sure to say, “Thank you,” “You’re welcome,” and “Please,” to everyone.

This sounds simple enough, and we were taught as little children to do this; therefore, it is time to just do it.

10. Do not be a litterbug and throw stuff out of your vehicle.

Definitely a good resolution if you are not already following this rule. We live in a beautiful country, one that we should take pride in and keep it beautiful.

Happy 2025, everyone! May this be a year of health, happiness and blessings for all of us. And if I were to add any further comment, it would be to reiterate what a dear, talented friend of mine, Monica Quintin Adams, says as she closes each of her daily 7 a.m., Monday through Friday podcasts: “Be anything you want to be, but most of all please remember to be kind.”