50+ Little Etiquette Rules to Always Keep in Mind

When you hear the word “etiquette” what comes to mind? Something about keeping elbows off the table or addressing people with “sir” or “ma’am” right? While these specific rules might be outdated, treating people well doesn’t have to be!

Etiquette isn’t about being stuffy or overly formal; it’s about being polite, considerate, and respectful.

The “5-Second Rule” when commenting on someone’s appearance is simple; only make a comment on someone’s appearance if it’s easily fixable in 5 seconds or less.

At the end of a meal, make the waitstaff’s life a little easier by neatly stacking your dirty dishes into a pile. It makes them easier to carry away, and it only takes a few seconds of your time.

It’s a crushing moment in a coming-of-age movie for a reason. No matter how reasonable the circumstances are, finding out your friends are hanging out without you can be difficult. Sometimes it’s for the best to save your friends that pain by waiting until they’ve left to discuss events they weren’t invited to.

Parties or group hangs are one thing, but for one-on-one meetings, nobody likes waiting around. We get it; life happens. Sometimes things outside of your control keep you from getting to your destination on time. But chronic lateness gets old extremely quickly. Be considerate of your friends and do your best to show up at the agreed-upon time.

Every woman’s been there. You’re minding your business in a crowded room and suddenly you feel a stranger’s hand on the small of your back and a muttered “Excuse me”. Yes, it can be difficult to navigate a crowd but that doesn’t give anyone license to touch strangers as you pass. It’s just awkward and invasive. Unless that’s a significant other, it’s best to keep your hands to yourself.

Life happens, and sometimes there’s no choice but to cancel plans at the last second. Whether it be a family emergency, a work emergency, or you simply don’t have the energy, there’s a respectful and disrespectful way to let your friends know your plans have changed.

Yes, restaurants should pay their staff a livable wage. No, it shouldn’t be on the customer to subsidize their low wages. But at the end of the day, many service industry workers rely on tips, and in the United States, tipping 20%  at restaurants, for delivery drivers, bartenders, etc., is customary. Unless the service was terrible, a tip is expected.

Work life and personal life shouldn’t overlap. Of course, this is up to everyone’s personal comfort level, but digital footprints are real. Bosses don’t need to see everything their employees do in their spare time.

Call me old-fashioned, but texting – or worse, mindlessly scrolling – while in the middle of a conversation feels incredibly disrespectful. Unless it’s an emergency, it can probably wait.

There’s no reason to be blasting TikToks on the bus at 8:00 in the morning. In shared spaces, we should all be mindful of everyone else who is affected by our actions. Please consider doing your fellow riders a favor and either put on some headphones or silence your phone.

The general rule of thumb is that it’s okay to accidentally capture someone in the background of a photo, but intentionally filming strangers without their knowledge or consent is invasive.

Let people know when they’re on speakerphone. There are some things that you just can’t say in front of everybody, but a  quick “Hey, just so you know, you’re on speakerphone” is a perfect warning. It’s a small courtesy that can save them from saying something potentially embarrassing.

Texting and taking photos during a movie is incredibly distracting, and can ruin the movie theater experience for others. No matter how quiet or dim your phone is, those around you can almost always see it. Unless there’s an emergency, keep your phone tucked away and just enjoy the show.

Every experienced concertgoer has heard the age-old phrase, “Excuse me, my friend is at the front”. 9 times out of 10, it’s a tired ploy to get to the front row.

For events that require planning, like weddings or graduation parties, RSVP as soon as you can. Event planning is difficult enough without having to make wild guesses as to how many people you need to accommodate. Plus, nobody wants to chase their loved ones down for a response.

By now we should all know that wearing white to someone else’s wedding is a cardinal sin.
While the details may be up for debate (Is cream a shade of white? Can you wear a dress with white flowers?) it’s safest to stay away from that color altogether.

Intentionally giving spoilers can ruin movies or TV shows for others.

Vaping, a popular alternative to traditional smoking, has become quite a trend in recent years. However, just because it’s less harmful than smoking doesn’t mean it’s acceptable everywhere. Vaping in enclosed spaces can be unpleasant for others. What might be a pleasant flavor to you can be an irritant or allergen to someone else.

We’ve all been there, strolling down the sidewalk and suddenly encountering a group of people taking up the entire walking path, leaving you with no choice but to step off onto the road or awkwardly squeeze past. This common sidewalk etiquette breach can be frustrating for both pedestrians and those in the group.

Keep your dog on a leash, even if they’re friendly. Not every dog is friendly, and not all humans want to be approached by dogs they don’t know.

Carry doggie bags to pick up after your furry friend. Leaving it behind, especially on a sidewalk or someone’s lawn, is incredibly rude. The last thing anyone wants is to accidentally step into a dog’s mess.

Picture it: you’re at a party and it’s time to introduce two of your good friends for the first time. As the “connector friend” help break the ice and introduce them!  It’s less awkward when mutual friends do the introductions than when they’re left to introduce themselves. Part of being a good host is making introductions for guests who don’t know each other yet.

Service people are just doing their jobs. Cashiers, servers, and call center employees don’t set prices or policies, and most likely have no control over the situation. Be kind. Don’t take your frustrations out on them.

Whether you’re at the grocery store, a theme park, or even waiting for your morning coffee, lines are a part of everyday life. Cutting in line, however, is a clear violation of social norms and etiquette. It’s a matter of respecting the first-come, first-served principle. All lines end eventually, just have patience.

When the plane lands, don’t rush to the front before the doors have even opened. Wait your turn when deplaning; rushing only adds unnecessary stress to everyone. It always takes several minutes before the doors open, anyway.

Planes are already uncomfortable. The seats are too cramped, there’s nowhere to stretch your legs, and it’s difficult to sleep on long-haul flights. But there’s no reason to make it worse for everyone.

As stated at the beginning of this article, etiquette is nothing but social norms. Everything that we consider polite is relative and informed by the country and culture we grow up in. There’s no “universal etiquette” that works everywhere.

No one appreciates being interrupted. Sometimes accidental or circumstantial interruptions happen; it’s not the end of the world. But the friend who turns the conversation back to the original speaker with a simple “Wait, you were saying?” is universally adored.

Check in on your friends. Even if someone appears low-maintenance, it doesn’t hurt to reach out and show you care. A low-maintenance friendship can turn into a one-sided friendship extremely easily. If they are usually the one making plans, try reaching out first every now and then.

Gym etiquette states that, after a workout, wipe your sweat off your machine, floor mat, weights, and anything else that might’ve gotten dirty. Even if you think you didn’t sweat “that much” it’s still a good idea to limit how many germs are circling around the weight room.

After all the clothes have been tried on, take a few seconds to hang the rejected clothing back on their hangers. There’s no need to leave the changing room spotless, but just putting the clothes back on their hangers makes retail employees’ lives significantly easier. Taking the clothes to the go-back hanger outside the fitting room is even better.

When public transit has limited seating, elderly, pregnant, and disabled people have priority. It’s common courtesy to offer up your own seat when someone who might need it more comes along.

Bumping into others is something that we’re all guilty of, especially in crowded settings. Accidents happen, and it doesn’t have to be a big deal.

If you’re showing photos or videos on your phone to a group, make sure everyone gets a chance to see it. This is a social slight on par with talking about events in front of someone who isn’t invited, or exclusively speaking in inside jokes in front of someone who won’t get it. It alienates people and makes them feel like an outsider.

If you’re taking photos, put in a little effort to get the best shots for your friends. If they took the time to get a variety of angles for your photos, make sure you’re returning the favor. It shows you care about their memories.

Having the highest quality camera in a group can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, all your group photos look adorable. On the other hand, you’re automatically tasked with taking and sending said photos.
Asking for the group photos can feel like asking a friend to pay you back. It’s much more awkward than it should be, especially if you’re constantly met with “I’ll do it later” responses.

There’s an entire Rihanna song about this.
No one wants to have to chase down their friends for money. It’s uncomfortable, especially if someone is on a strict budget. Don’t make your friends chase you down for money you owe them.

To split the check or not to split the check? This is a question that has caused countless arguments and even ended a few friendships.

One side of the argument says that splitting costs evenly requires the least amount of math and is the simplest solution. But the other side argues that if one person ordered steak and lobster while the other got a Caesar salad, why should everyone pay evenly when they didn’t rack up equal bills?

Have you ever been the person standing just outside the main group at a party? It’s almost physically painful. For most people, it conjures up childhood feelings of being ignored or left out. Once you notice the newcomer, make a little room for them. It’s a small gesture that can make them feel welcomed and comfortable.

This might be a niche piece of advice, but if one-on-one plans turn into group plans, let your original friend know. If I made plans to hang out with you, I made plans to hang out with you. If something happens and it suddenly becomes a group hang, that’s fine, just let me know first! Don’t let your friend walk into a group situation unprepared.

When dropping friends off at home after a night out, wait for them to be fully inside their home before driving off.

If someone you’re walking with needs to stop and tie a shoe, stop with them!

Have you ever complimented someone on their outfit and immediately wondered where they bought it? Well, if you’re the person receiving the compliment, don’t keep cute outfit secrets to yourself. If someone asks, share where you got it. Fashion should be fun and accessible for all. After all, what’s the point in gatekeeping a cute outfit?

Every introvert has had the bone-chilling nightmare of being abandoned at a party by their extrovert friend. If you bring an introverted friend to a social gathering, don’t abandon them. They don’t need a babysitter, but consider helping them ease into the group by making introductions or letting them hide with the family pet in a quiet corner.

Returning the shopping cart is a fast, simple, and free way to make people’s lives easier, so why not do it? Leaving them in the parking lot doesn’t actually create more jobs, it just gives an already underpaid worker an extra side-task. Returning your own shopping cart is just a simple way to make life a little bit easier for others.

It can be easy to steamroll over a conversation when you’re really excited about a topic. Pay attention to your conversations and make sure they’re not one-sided. Are they asking follow-up questions? Or are you getting noncommittal “uh huh’s”?

There’s a time and a place for everything, and it’s generally frowned upon to hit on someone who can’t walk away. Namely baristas, waitstaff, and cashiers who are being paid to be polite.

The pandemic was only a few short years ago but staying home when you’re under the weather is an eternal rule. No one wants to catch an illness. Additionally, you never know who has a compromised immune system, or who is taking care of a small child or elderly parent.

A bit of ghosting (suddenly ending communication without warning) can be okay to a certain extent. If it was an awkward or uncomfortable first date, feel free to find a house to haunt, Casper. But if you’ve been on several dates – opinions vary, but I personally say up to 3 – then the other person is owed an explanation.

Unless the comment is about how delicious their meal looks, there’s no need to say anything about someone else’s food choices. Whether it’s portion size or healthiness, it’s their business, not yours.

Restaurant etiquette usually dictates waiting until everyone is seated and served before digging in. There’s no bigger reminder of your own hunger than watching other people eat. By waiting just a few minutes, you can spare your friends that discomfort.

Regardless of gender, it’s common courtesy for whoever reaches a door first to hold it open for the next person. It’s a simple task, but a polite and universally appreciated one. No matter if it’s an elevator door or a restaurant door, holding a door for the person behind you is just simple, basic kindness.

Unless there’s an already established relationship and it’s clear you’re both comfortable dealing with uncomfortable topics, stay away from sensitive issues. It can make people uncomfortable, especially if they’re going through a difficult time, to talk about finances, health issues, religion, or politics with a stranger.

This basic rule of hygiene is a common courtesy, especially during flu and cold seasons. If you need to cough or sneeze, use your elbow or a tissue to cover your mouth and nose. This helps prevent the spread of germs and keeps those around you healthier.

When hosting gatherings, be mindful of dietary restrictions or allergies that others may have. Asking about guests’ potential dietary restrictions, and offering a variety of food options, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free choices, demonstrates consideration for all your guests and ensures everyone can enjoy the meal without worry.

Placing a bag on an empty seat is fine while the bus isn’t full, but once it begins to get crowded, it’s rude to take up more than one seat. Remember, it’s a public space and it belongs to everyone. Be mindful of others and place the bag on your lap if there’s a person that needs it.

When you’re waiting for an elevator, allow those inside to exit before attempting to board. It makes sense, right – there’s no space to enter if there are still others inside! This simple act of courtesy prevents any awkward collisions. The same rule applies to subway cars and any other small confined space.

Never underestimate the power of these two small phrases. Just because it’s old-fashioned doesn’t mean that it’s wrong. Saying “Please” when making requests and “Thank you” when others do something for you is something that everyone should always remember to do. These simple yet powerful words go a long way in demonstrating politeness and gratitude (and in being perceived as a kind and polite person!).