SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS
First and foremost you must remember that people with disabilities are individuals – they may be your friends, your co-workers, your neighbours. When dealing with people who use wheelchairs you must know that they might have different disabilities and varying abilities. Some can use their arms and hands. Some can get out of their wheelchairs and even walk for short distances. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when interacting with people who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments - • Wheelchair users are people, not equipment. Don't lean over someone in a wheelchair to shake another person's hand or ask a wheelchair user to hold coats. Setting your drink on the desktop attached to someone's wheelchair is a definite no-no. • Don't push or touch a person's wheelchair; it's part of her personal space. If you help someone down a curb without waiting for instructions, you may dump him or her out of the chair. You may detach the chair's parts if you lift it by the handles or the footrest. • Keep the ramps and wheelchair-accessible doors to your building unlocked and unblocked. • Be aware of a wheelchair users' reach limits. Place as many items as possible within their grasp. Make sure that there is a clear path of travel to shelves and display racks. • When talking to a wheelchair user, grab your own chair and sit at his or her level. If that's not possible, stand at a slight distance, so that he/she isn't straining her neck to make eye contact with you. • If your building has different routes through it, be sure that signs direct wheelchair users to the most accessible ways around the facility. People who walk with a cane or crutches also need to know the easiest was to get around a place, but stairs may be easier for them than a ramp. Ensure that security guards and receptionists at your business can answer questions about the most accessible way around the building. • People who use canes or crutches need their arms to balance themselves, so never grab them. Mobility-impaired people may lean on a door for support as they open it. Pushing them or quickly opening the door may cause them to fall. Even pulling out or pushing in a chair may present a problem. Always ask before offering help. • If you offer a seat to a mobility-impaired person, keep in mind that chairs with arms are easier for some people to use. • Falls are a big problem for people with mobility impairments. Be sure to set out adequate warning signs after washing floors. Also put out mats on rainy or snowy days to keep the floors as dry as possible. (Make sure they don't bunch up and make the floor impassable for wheelchair users.) • People who are not visibly mobility impaired may have needs related to their mobility. For example, a person with a respiratory or heart condition may have trouble walking long distances or walking quickly.
ETIQUETTE AT THE SWIMMING POOL
If you’re going for a swim in a public pool you dive in expecting a clean, hygienic, hassle-free experience. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember that public pools are just that… they’re public, therefore open to all. When making use of them, personal hygiene and a consideration for others should be your top priorities. Here are 10 essential rules to follow when using public pools. 1. Read and follow the specific rules posted at the pool. Every public pool has a set of guidelines they expect patrons to adhere to. It is your responsibility to carefully go over and follow them. 2. Shower before entering the pool. 3. Wear a swimming cap, especially over long hair. The last thing you want to do is leave behind a chunk of your hair for other patrons to deal with. 4. Select a swimming lane based on skill level and speed and stay in it. Do not frighten less experienced swimmers with your speed and momentum and do not bother the more experienced ones with a lack thereof. 5. Make it a point to wear swimming goggles as it helps you to clearly see other swimmers. 6. Not all public pools employ lifeguards. Always use caution, whether or not a lifeguard is present. 7. Do not leave young children unattended at any time. Even if a lifeguard is present it is your responsibility to ensure your children are safe and protected. 8. Do not urinate in the pool, and discourage children from doing this as well. 9. Don't jump in the pool, or push off on a backstroke length, without making very sure you're not going to crash into someone or just scare the living daylights out of them. Be mindful of your surroundings. 10. Don't let your pets swim in the pool. Keep them out of it. If your pets must accompany you while you take your swim, make sure that they do not enter the pool at anytime and are being supervised by someone when you aren’t watching over them.
MANNERS: DO'S AND DON'TS AT THE GYM
During the summer, the gym is usually busier and more crowded. Exercising at a health club or fitness center calls for considering those around you. Here’s how: • This is the number one “do” and the most important etiquette rule at the gym: Wipe up your sweat, please! This includes mats and machines. Keep a towel with you at all times. No one wants to sit or lie in someone else’s sweat. • Don’t hog the weight machines. When others want to use them, agree to rotate your sets. • Do reset the weight machines back to a low setting. Otherwise, the next person may have to spend resetting them—or worse—could injure themselves by trying to lift a weight that’s too heavy. • Do limit your time on the treadmill or other cardio machines to 20-30 minutes if others are waiting for a turn. • Don’t flirt. If you’re into flirting, and you find a receptive party, flirt only when you won’t be disturbing others around you. If you try to strike up a conversation with someone you find attractive and he or she gives you the brush off (no matter how politely), drop your overture then and there. • Do obey the fitness center’s rules. These may include wearing correct workout shoes, not using cell phones, and signing in at the front desk. • Do think about how you smell! Arrive clean, remember to apply deodorant, and lay off the perfume and cologne (the aromas get stronger as you work up a sweat). • Don’t be late for personal training sessions and group fitness classes. • Do your part to keep the gym and locker room clean. Keep your clothes and other personal items stored in lockers. Clean up after yourself in the showers, sinks, and changing areas. Deposit used towels in their receptacles.
HOW TO BE A GOOD GUEST
As a guest you are likely to share the responsibility for the success of a party. But are you the kind of guest that gets regularly invited? Well, here are a few tips to make you the kind of good guest who is welcome at anybody's table. Respond to your invitation. Let your host know (and no later than the stated RSVP date) whether or not you can attend the party. This way your hosts can make plans knowing the exact number of guests who will be attending. Ask if you can contribute anything to the meal/party. The hostess may be relieved to have someone take charge of one of the courses, such as an appetizer, side dish or dessert. If you have the time, offer to come a little earlier than the other guests to help with pre-party setup. But if your offer is accepted, don't be late - your hostess will be counting on you. Arrive at a dinner party on-time. Most people love to start a party or meal s on time. You wouldn't want to hold up the meal and spoil the food for everyone else. When the meal is over, ask your hostess if you can help clear the table. But if her answer is "no thanks", then just relax and leave things alone. If you see the hostess frantically cleaning in the kitchen after the meal is over, offer to help. Be friendly and make conversation with other guests. Your acceptance to mingle with others is what will lead to the party’s success. Do not raise a conversation of a sensitive topic; especially one that you know will cause dissension among that particular group of guests. Drink responsibly. Your host may be serving alcoholic beverages to complement the meal, but it doesn't mean he/she wants to have a group of sloppy drunks on their hands at the end of the party.
WHEN YOU’RE IN A FLIGHT…
Nowadays airlines are trying inventive ways to enforce new rules for a better flying experience. In fact after boarding a flight everyone wants to enjoy the benefits, but no one wants to make a sacrifice. Here are some basic airplane etiquettes you should keep in mind while in flight. • Don't be a bore. There is nothing worse than being held captive by a talkative seat mate. Don't force a conversation on the person next to you. • If someone is driving you crazy with their (dull) life story -- it is acceptable to tell them you're too busy, tired, sick or whatever to talk. But don't be rude. Some people are nervous fliers and talk compulsively. • Don't grab the seat in front of you while getting up -- it is very disruptive to the person sitting there. Use your arm rests to get up. • Don't stand in front of the in-flight movie. You may not like the feature, but don't block others view. • Don't hold business meetings in the passageway. It is very annoying to fellow passengers. Also, you never know when a competitor is listening. • Don't clog up the passageway while the flight attendants are using the food and beverage carts. Let them do their jobs. • Be careful with food trays and hot liquids. Take care when you open the plastic salad dressing, condiment and beverage containers. They spatter easily. • The bathroom is not a make-up table or dressing room. Be quick and clean up after yourself. If you do spill something on someone; apologize and offer to pay for dry cleaning. • Don’t spread out your work papers everywhere. Be neat. Likewise try not to read your seat mates work documents or laptop screen. It is really obnoxious. • Try not to kick the seat in front of you. • Don't shout into the air phone. Converse quietly. • The impact of alcohol is magnified at high altitudes. Don't get drunk.