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Business Etiquette 101

by ShayB
17 replies
I was out shopping today with my youngest son. He is four.

I am 40.

My son was flirting shamlessly with the salesperson and when she was talking to him she said, "Now you better not make Grandma jealous!" - referring to me.

Now, this is not the first time I have been mistaken for my youngest son's Grandmother. :rolleyes: However, wouldn't it make sense for someone in business to err on the side of caution and call me "Mom" instead of guessing I'm a Grandma and risk insulting me - and possibly losing business? I would think so.

Now what does this have to do with an online business? :confused:

Because you can insult people without meaning to. Communicating in print is much different than communicating in person! Print does not allow for the nuances of body language and facial expressions. :confused::p

So, before you hit that "send" button, take a minute and read over what you're sending to your list.
#101 #business #etiquette
  • Profile picture of the author ExRat
    Hi Shay,

    "Now you better not make Grandma jealous!"
    Sounds a bit like -

    'When's the baby due?'

    'I'm not pregnant.'

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    Roger Davis
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

      Hi Shay,



      Sounds a bit like -

      'When's the baby due?'

      'I'm not pregnant.'
      ROTFL

      I had that happen, too - when my oldest was a few weeks old.
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      "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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    • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
      My whole department was going to throw one of our
      co-workers a baby shower when she told us that she
      had an intestinal/stomach ailment D'OH!! Wow, was
      everyone embarrassed about that one. It was over
      15 years ago and I still cringe when I remember that
      email she sent out to tell us all to cut it out.

      TomG.

      Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

      Hi Shay,



      Sounds a bit like -

      'When's the baby due?'

      'I'm not pregnant.'
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Originally Posted by tommygadget View Post

        My whole department was going to throw one of our
        co-workers a baby shower when she told us that she
        had an intestinal/stomach ailment D'OH!! Wow, was
        everyone embarrassed about that one. It was over
        15 years ago and I still cringe when I remember that
        email she sent out to tell us all to cut it out.

        TomG.
        Oh. My. God.

        I can't imagine.....*cringe*
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        "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    I know what you mean,

    The waitress in the coffee shop where I was eating with my 3 year old grandson said "what a nice little son you have." She got a double tip.

    George Wright
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    Shay,

    I just noticed your Sig. We homeschuled 6. Ain't it fun?

    George Wright
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by George Wright View Post

      Shay,

      I just noticed your Sig. We homeschuled 6. Ain't it fun?

      George Wright


      I love it! It is hectic and challenging, but I would not trade it for the world!

      PS - Wee yuse huked on fonics for owr speeling - ain't it grate?
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  • Profile picture of the author Devin T
    That's a very valid point! I've caught those comments on my tongue a few times when I worked in the restaurant business
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  • Profile picture of the author Nonny
    It reminds me of the time my long-haired husband and I were in a restaurant and the server came up behind him and asked "What can I get for you ladies?" He wasn't pleased.

    You make an excellent point, Shay, about the difficulty of communicating nuances in writing. I've occasionally assumed that people will know that I'm joking about something or what background my writing is based on, when that isn't the case at all. I've found that that is particularly true when writing to an international audience who may not all have English as a first language.

    Peggy
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
    How about when a cashier asks a 40-year-old if they qualify for the senior citizen discount?

    In other words "You look 20 years older than you really are."
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi,

      Sometimes my younger friends take me to a pub or club that is frequented by younger people. As we queue to get in, many of them are getting asked to prove their age (to prove that they are old enough) and when it gets to my turn I stand and wait with a look on my face that says, 'Aren't you going to ask me?'

      The doormen (who are usually younger than me) always laugh and say, 'I think you'll be alright mate.'
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  • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
    I'm always being told that I look younger than 44, which doesn't bother me. What needles me is knowing that I must sound younger too. Considerably younger. I'm forever answering the phone only to hear the caller say 'Oh, hello. Can I speak to mummy or daddy please?'! If you ever come across an online video with the voice-over of a five year-old, the chances are that it'll be one of mine
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by astracadia View Post

      I'm always being told that I look younger than 44, which doesn't bother me. What needles me is knowing that I must sound younger too. Considerably younger. I'm forever answering the phone only to hear the caller say 'Oh, hello. Can I speak to mummy or daddy please?'! If you ever come across an online video with the voice-over of a five year-old, the chances are that it'll be one of mine
      hehehehehehehehehehe

      When I get a cold, my voice drops an octave - and I get called "Sir" on the phone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vyliss
    True, but would you rather them not say anything at all?
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by Vyliss View Post

      True, but would you rather them not say anything at all?
      Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....let me think.....say something to make me realize they think I am waaaaaaaaaayyyy older than I am or not say anything at all.....

      I think I would take the silence. It is far better on my fragile ego....

      A big smile at my son would have been fine....
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  • Profile picture of the author Randy-works-from-home
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author vorales
      Well it happens some times.But i would rather advice you be what you are and dont have to blame others as what they say is according to their own thinking and you cannot go inside their thinking.They know nottin about you.right.

      so the best way is to keep quite at that point of time and try to work on yrself and make yr self more beautiful mom (as u already are) so that this never happen again.
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  • Profile picture of the author lynzki
    I think a bit of euphemism works rather than being too vulgar and offensive! Nice lesson Shay.
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