Never erring, always daring Prudence Goodbody, DeskDemon's long time etiquette maven tackles the tough business etiquette issues.

Aside from the 50's hairdo and the 80's blouse, Prudence is a pretty  "with it" character, maybe it's all that time she spent as a librarian that makes her so smart.

One thing we know, she's not afraid to tell you what's correct and what's not when it comes to the world of business.
Not sure about her qualifications? Take the Test and see if you and Prudence agree on things when it comes to business etiquette. And when you're finished with the test you can find out how to ask Pru your own business etiquette questions.

15 Questions, true or false, no scores, just you against Prudence.

We dare you.  She's one tough cookie...
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Prudence Goodbody
In a traditional face to face business meeting, a man should always wait for a female to offer her hand before offering his...
True or false? Click next 
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It is no longer necessary for a man to wait for a woman to extend her hand.  Don't kid yourself, the days of shrinking violets are gone.  In business, everybody shakes hands regardless of gender or age.

Exceptions to this are cultural and apply only when business is being conducted outside the US, or with foreign clients. When in doubt about customs,  check!

In fact, you should practice a firm business like handshake with someone you trust to tell you whether it's whimpy or not and help you to improve it.  
FALSE!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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When introducing business people, say the name of the most important or senior person first.
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True!
Yes, it's still about foodchain.  Smart office professionals preserve their place in the corporate feeding frenzy by introducing the most Senior job title first.

In cases where you are introducing people of equal rank, use age as a guide and introduce the most senior person.

The format should be something simple that fits your personal style such as “Mr. Connery may I introduce Mr. Brosnan”,  or something similar

It's business for pete's sake, not a lack of good manners!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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It is okay to stop for a drink at the bar at a combined business/social function before you make your presence known to your host after all it's not a business meeting it's more of a social event...
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Sure you can do that if you'd prefer to be known as the office party girl, however the bar is actually the LAST place you should see when you enter a function where business colleagues are present. Yes that includes the office holiday soiree.

While it's true you might end up at the bar pretty easily because that's where your colleagues have gathered, it's far more correct to find your host before you find a vodka martini. Whether that host is your boss or a client, find them and make your presence known.  

And while we're on the subject, when at an office function in the evening your drink limit is two.  Not ten.  Just say no.  

You'll be happy tomorrow that you weren't the one sitting on the Senior VP's lap singing "Wouldn't it be Lovely" in a bad cockney accent.
FALSE!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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When talking on the phone, your tone of voice counts more than your words...
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Believe it or not, reputable studies indicate that 70% of the impression you make will be because of your tone of voice.  While most Admins already know that, it's important to reinforce the old adage that a smile can be heard in a voice.  

And by the way that most infamous of Admin buzzwords:  "Multitasking" is a myth when it comes to phone conversations.

When your voice trails off because you're calculating an Excel formula while trying to arrange that business trip for bossie to Singapore, don't blame us if he ends up in Athens instead.

Wanna look like a total airhead? Hold a phone conversation while trying to do something else important.  The guy on the other end knows he doesn't have your full attention, and you keep leaving these embarassing silences while you try to get Excel to give the mean and mode of last years sales numbers.  Nothing will get done properly...
True!
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Women may remain seated to shake hands while being introduced at a business function or meeting...
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If you're holding court you can regally extend your ring to be kissed but other than that or until you get a crown, it's important to understand that this is business.  We'll say it again.  This is BUSINESS. Get up and play with the big dogs.

Proper respect alone indicates that you should rise and greet a handshake from a male or female.  Further,  failure to stand up implies a lack of confidence on your part.  Get  up.  Trust us on this one.

Yes, even if you have a run in your stocking.  Even if no other female at the table does.  Just DO it. It speaks volumes about your confidence, personality and ability to conduct yourself in a business like manner. Not to mention good breeding.  Mother would be so proud.
False!
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Business casual means dressing down one "notch" from business professional...
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But we all know that some people's definition of a "notch" leaves something to be desired.  

From business suit to spandex is not a notch.  It's eventual career suicide no matter how casual your office. Do you want to be the one your manager has to have a friendly "chat" with about office decorum? Really do you?

If the thought makes you  shudder, take a good look around you and consider what your own "notch" is and whether it fits in with your corporation.

Do they all show up with nose rings on Friday? Be different.  It's business not an alternative nightclub.

If you wouldnt wear it to dinner with your in-laws...save it for the weekends.
True!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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The guest decides when to start talking business during the meal...
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As a general rule, the person who created the invitation for a business dinner is the person with the agenda thus, it's the HOST who decides when enough conversation has gone on and brings the focus to business.

Generally this happens after food has been ordered and before it has arrived. The arrival of the food generally provides a welcome break since the salient points of the meeting's purpose are now out on the table (pardon the pun).

General rules on Business Meals: Exclaiming "Hot DARN!" Let's get lobster, the company is buying!! =bad.

Over imbibing alcoholically verrrrrry bad.  One drink at a business meal.  If you can't handle that, stick to coffee or tea.

And never ever order the spaghetti, no matter how great you are with the twirl it into the bowl of a spoon thing.  Sauce on your favorite business suit will distract you so much that you'll spend the entire meal trying to find creative ways to hide it.  No one can hold a dessert menu at chest level that long.  They know it, you know it.  Have Spaghetti for dinner...at home.
False!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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If the information on your business card is outdated draw a neat,  single line through it and write the correct information on the card in black or blue ink...
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Outdated information on business cards is a definite no no.  You're an administrative professional.  Plan for changes, did they suddenly move your office yesterday and someone forgot to tell you?

Oh come on already!  Scribbled on business cards are tacky and send a message that either you're so disorganized that you didn't get new ones made up or that you can't afford new ones.  Bad enough when it's your own card, but Lord help you if it's bossie's.  

What's that? They changed your email address just yesterday, you had no control? Far better to attend the function without cards, get theirs instead with an apologetic "we've just changed email addresses so my card is outdated, I'll send you a .vcf tomorrow!" Or even better, go with your old cards, say nothing and have IT take care of that pesky email forwarding problem first thing in the morning...
False!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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If you can’t remember someone’s name, don’t attempt an introduction, just smile and keep talking the name will come to you...
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Oh for pity's sake! Everyone knows it when you just keep talking and make no introduction; or at least they suspect it, the person you're trying to avoid introducing suspects it too.  No one says anything they just enjoy watching you twist pitifully in the wind.

Just own up with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry but your name escapes me  at the moment" then follow thru with the introduction.

Don'ts:  I'm sorry I'm having a blonde moment.
Gee, I must have had one too many martinis

Super Don'ts: Trying to cover by saying "how do you pronounce your name again?" It will invariably be "Bob".  

Don't try to cover and don't over apologise.  Just move on.
False!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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Handwritten notes are out of place in the business world...
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Handwritten notes speak volumes about you.  They say you took time to consider your response or to send a thank you.  Use good quality stationery and pay attention to penmanship.

Further, look for times to send handwritten notes.  For instance after networking referrals it's a great way to impress and say a memorable thank you for an introduction or a piece of information, or simply to say "I enjoyed meeting you".

Like mother always told you, "good manners never go out of fashion".

 
False!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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Pin on name badges are always worn on the left shoulder...
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Since the largest percentage of the population shakes hands with their right hand, it's natural that the eye follows the line of their hands and extends onward and naturally upwards as people make eye contact during the natural evolution of a handshake.

You won't believe this is true when you walk into most corporate environments and see badges hanging from beltloops, earrings, notebooks where ever people can find a perch for them except the correct shoulder.

During conferences there's always one joker who has to do something silly with theirs making it impossible to read without contortions.  LEFT shoulder Left shoulder left shoulder.  Not beltloop no matter how trendy you think it looks and for pete's sake if you take off your jacket move the thing to your blouse! The objective is to be able to read your name and corporate affiliation not to appear trendy!
True!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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A woman’s handbag, if small and tasteful may be placed on the boardroom table during a business meeting...
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Oh sure it may be Gucci;  but it belongs under the boardroom table if you must bring it with you to the meeting at all.

Best to leave it locked in your office.  Why? It might have worked for Katherine Hepburn in Adam's Rib, but frankly my dear, it says "I may be terribly chic but I'm just a girl at heart."

Not that being a girl is bad but what would you rather be known for? Your taste in handbags or the fantastic idea you had for limiting spending on directory assistance calls by including the online yellow pages in the company intranet? Why risk it?

Nope.  Even if it's Gucci or  Prada, leave it in the desk drawer.  The only items that should be on the boardroom table are items for note taking and your fantastic ideas....
False!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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Small talk is not appropriate in a business environment...
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What are you new?! Have you just climbed out of an egg somewhere?

Small talk is what allows us to converse about the big stuff with a level of comfort.  The art of small talk is not making it so small that people's eyes glaze over.

It's one of those times to discuss the weather...NEVER politics or religion. And for pete's sake ask about them... and never let on you have cats.  If you do.  We don't.  No Really....
False!
Prudence Goodbody says:
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In today’s relaxed business environment, it is not necessary to ask permission before using first names...
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It's true that business in the new millenium is more relaxed but use titles as in Mr.,  Mrs.,  Ms.,  Dr. and Miss and last names until you're invited to do differently.  

The one exception to this rule is with direct, "same level of the org chart" type co-workers.  And even then you should find out if Katherine wants to be called Kathy, Kate, Kat or Katherine.  It's the polite thing to do. " May I call you Kathy? What would you prefer to be called?"

This is not rocket science.  People forget it often though.

Your mother was right, being polite never hurt anyone and it could just help your career.
False!
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A message from Prudence Goodbody:
Dear Readers,

I'll be writing a monthly column for DeskDemon on business etiquette.  If you have a sticky question or problem with business etiquette, I'm only to happy to give you the benefit of my experience and my contacts with noted icons of the business etiquette industry.

You can e-mail me at dearpru@deskdemon.com, but for goodness sake please use proper grammar and a subject line.  

It's just good etiquette!

Sending...

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