7 pieces of basic professional etiquette too many people forget

You encounter all sorts of people in the workplace.

Some you look forward to seeing every day, and others make the hairs on your neck prickle every time you talk to them.

Consider the co-workers with whom you dread working. Why do you avoid them?

It’s probably because they have bad manners.

As Emily Post said: “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use.”

It’s everyone’s responsibility to do their part to make the workplace a comfortable, productive environment. Doing so makes us more willing to collaborate and propels both our businesses and careers toward success.

In an age when common courtesy is not so common, here are some simple ways to be a better co-worker:

1. Stop acting like you’re in a rush all the time.

Sure, sometimes you are truly are busy and don’t have time for small talk. Maybe you actually do have a hundred items on your to-do list and don’t have time to check your emails for errors. Perhaps you have back-to-back calls one morning and arrive late to a meeting.

But you’re not that busy all the time.