Business Etiquette Pet Peeves
These things make me crazy:
- Men who shake women’s hands like a limp fish. Men take note: women do not need a finger-tip shake – we want a firm palm-to-palm shake just like you do.
- People who call me on their speakerphone when it’s a one-on-one conversation. I totally get the fabulous convenience of speakerphones when groups are talking. But when you call me to talk, please pick up the receiver. If you don’t, you sound pretentious and I’m insulted.
- People who finish my sentences for me. You can’t read my mind and when you interrupt, you appear inconsiderate and impatient.
What are your top three pet peeves?
January 28th, 2008 at 12:20 am
1. People who enter the meeting room and the first thing they do is call the pantry and ask for cookies.
2.Vendors who say I was in the vicinity so dropped by to meet you (and are sans agenda/ business card or company profile document) Ps: I am a L&D specialist and these are mostly training companies.
3. This one gets my goat… senior managers typically, who will reply only yes, no or OK to your e mails requesting time/opinion/offering suggestions/proposing recommendations..anything! Makes the interaction much more iterative.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
My pet peeve is people who don’t respect others’ time by showing up late to meetings. We all have other things we could be doing, but some of us repsect our colleagues enough to be punctual.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Thanks for your comment, Jaime. You’re right and I’ll be writing a meeting etiquette post next week.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
My pet peeve is well-meaning but overly helpful people who try to give you new information while you are: A) On the phone with a client or employee, B) Speaking face to face with an employee or candidate, or C)Trying to aid a fellow employee with a question. Interruptions are that: interruptions — plain and simple. I do not allow my children to interrupt me on the phone at home and I’m not sure when it became acceptable in the workplace. If it is vital (life or death) information vital to the client or safety of the employee then yes; please interrupt me. Otherwise, wait until I am finished and then share your information with me. You will have my full attention and I will be more receptive to your communication. Shouting at me while I am on the phone or talking to another person is just not good office etiquette.