Just get the next one

A while ago, I mentioned that holding an elevator door open while there are people inside, just so that someone outside can get in, is a somewhat rude gesture, because you are assuming that the other people inside are in a generous mood.

Pressing the call button on the outside of an elevator that is about to close with five people already in it, just so that you can force the doors open[...]

Steer clear of proprietary technology

Remember surfing to your favorite web sites back in, say 1998? This message will be all-too familiar[...]

Your menu needs to be specific

Here’s a tip for restaurant owners. When you create your menus, you need to tell me EVERYTHING that is included in the meal. If you put mayo on your hamburger by default, you need to tell me that. If you put guacamole[...]

Don’t know how many of my readers are iPhone users, but just in case you wanted to test out your Men’s Room Etiquette knowledge, there’s a free app[...]

Are you lonely, or something?

How many times has this happened to you? You walk into an almost empty theater. You choose a good seat in a middle row, to get a great view of the show. Two minutes later, another person walks[...]

Talking to Strangers

There’s nothing wrong with striking up casual chat on elevators with people you don’t know. But remember the boundaries of casual chat. If the person seems like he or she would rather be left alone, accept that, and leave him or her alone. Just because you feel like brightening someone’s[...]

You have responsibilities when others are courteous to you

Last week, I talked about the “rules” for holding doors for others. Now I’d like to briefly discuss the appropriate reaction on the part of the recipient of this courtesy.

For starters, the other person is holding the door to prevent it from slapping you in the face. He or she is not holding it so that you can strut through like royalty. So extend your hand[...]

Holding a door doesn’t have to be complicated

1. Holding for men vs. women, young vs. old, etc.: Just hold the door for everyone. Easiest thing to remember.
2. Distance: This one varies from person to person. If someone is only a few steps behind you, obviously you should hold the door. If they are ten to twenty seconds from reaching you, you have to make a decision. At what point does being nice to someone else start to impede your progress through the day? You can spend several minutes a day waiting for others to reach doors, but you shouldn’t feel an obligation to do so. I say[...]
   

Don’t get in line until you’re ready

Retail store lines are getting longer all the time. Economic crisis or not, people are still out shopping, as far as I can tell. Which is why it’s important for us all to remember the rules of checkout lines.

Rule number one: You’re either in the line, or you’re not.[...]

Don’t pull the rug out from under me

Frequent flyer programs were invented, obviously, to increase customer loyalty. Give people an incentive to fly with you in the form of a free flight every once in a while, and they’ll keep coming back to you instead of one of your competitors.

Some years ago, marketers came up with the brilliant plan to increase this loyalty even further, by offering miles for all sorts[...]