Business Etiquette

Dear Ms. Wolcott,
Recently we had questions about doing things that go beyond the office norm. When traveling alone or meeting with other people at an unknown location, what tips do you have? I am a female in a high level position but still would like to stay safe and knowledgeable about proper protocol.

Taken from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Business Etiquette, when you are planning activities or responding to invitations, consider the following:

If you are having a drink alone in a bar, don’t sit at the bar, instead sit at a table and have a briefcase, a file or something that looks official instead of giving the impression of trying to get picked up.

If you agree to have dinner with a man you don’t know, eat in the hotel dining room, and arrange in advance to have the meal charged to your room so that there is no ambiguity about the nature of the date. In other words, strictly business.

Women alone should stay at hotels rather that motels.

When traveling on business and staying at a hotel, you may want to let the receptionist know that you are traveling alone. If the reception clerk calls out your room number to the bellman, tell the clerk to give you another room and to be quiet about it.

Get a travel agent to find out which hotels are known for safe procedures when it comes to women traveling alone. Double-lock doors and windows are mandatory, not optional.

Make sure the bellman checks all spaces in your room to be sure there is no one there. Check the window locks, and make sure there is no other access to your room.

Never enter your room if you have the slightest suspicion that something has been tampered with. Call security, and have them check it out.

Never admit to anyone to your room that you haven’t invited or requested through the front desk. If anyone else comes to your door for any reason, check with the front desk before you open the door.

When traveling, it is so much better to be safe than sorry. Do be careful when traveling, it will make your next trip more comfortable and more secure. Hope this helped!

Irma Wolcott is the owner of Fun With Etiquette. Call her at 956-492-4762 for more information. Website: www.funwithetiquette.com e-Mail her at: [email protected]

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