Ten Commandments For Gender-Neutral Etiquette

by Marjorie Brody, MA, CSP, CMC

1. Shake hands with everyone -- men and women -- the same way. The one hand, straight up-and-down handshake is the most effective and professional.
2. Women should always stand when introduced, as men do, in a one-on-one encounter or meeting environment.
3. Use your full name when introducing yourself. Don't be "Mary in accounting." Full names give you more credibility and identity as a professional.
4. It is proper and legal to address women as "Ms." in a spoken or written communication. The woman may then advise you to say "Mrs." or "Miss" if she prefers it.
5. Introduce people in business based on rank, not gender.
6. Avoid touching people, beyond the one-hand professional handshake.
7. Avoid showing too much skin in any business-related situation, whether it be dress-down day or the company cocktail party. Short shorts, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, sandal-like shoes or open backs are not appropriate for business-related environments.
8. People open doors for people, not necessarily men opening doors for women. If someone opens a door for you, however, you should not protest this act of politeness.
9. The host of a business lunch, the one who did the inviting, pays for lunch regardless of gender.
10. Avoid saying "Hon," "Dear," "Son," "Doll," and "Babe," to people in the work environment and over the telephone.

Article copyright 2003 Marjorie Brody and Brody Communications Ltd. Marjorie Brody, MA, CSP, CMC, is founder and fearless leader of Brody Communications Ltd. in Jenkintown, PA, and an executive coach. She helps individuals and corporations achieve their potential by strengthening their professionalism, persuasiveness and presence. Marjorie has presented to more than 1,000 audiences, and is the author of 15 books, including Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move?, Speaking is an Audience-Centered Sport, and Professional Impressions...Etiquette for Everyone, Every Day. She has appeared on CNBC several times, Fox-TV, Oxygen Network, and been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, People, BusinessWeek, Fortune and many other national publications. Marjorie can be reached at 800-726-7936, or by visiting www.MarjorieBrody.com. To sign up for her free quarterly newsletter, go to www.BrodyCommunications.com.

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