Brushing Up On Office Etiquette
Do you want to look as fresh, smell as fresh and be as fresh at the end of the workday as you were at the beginning? If you answered “yes,” then consider taking a toothbrush and toothpaste to the office with you. Better yet, keep both in your desk drawer. The things you eat and drink during the workday can take their toll on you before the day is over. By the time you meet with your clients after lunch, or even following your morning coffee, you may have developed “dragon breath”. The onions or the garlic that you enjoyed in your favorite lunch dish will most assuredly come back to haunt you.
So how do you handle the issue of potentially offensive breath? It’s simple. Keep your toothbrush and toothpaste handy and use them during the day, especially before face-to-face meetings with clients. If you think it’s easier to use breath mints or mouthwash, consider this. Breath mints are not as effective as toothpaste, but better than nothing at all. Mouthwash is generally so strong that people can smell it before they see you, and they may wonder what you are trying to hide.
A quick 30-45 second wave over your teeth with a toothbrush not only eliminates offensive food odors, it also removes those pesky little food particles that stick to your teeth after a meal.
Brush up as often as you can during the day and at the end. You may well see that adding polish builds profits.
Hire Lydia to work with your staff to improve customer service and employee relations through the use of those priceless and often over-looked soft skills called manners. Lydia is the “unstuffy” business etiquette expert who helps individuals and organizations add the polish that builds profits. We’re talking about your bottom line here.
Since 1996, countless people have benefited from her wisdom through keynotes, seminars and conference breakout sessions. Her Southern charm and sense of humor have made her a sought-after speaker and consultant.
Based in Savannah, Georgia, Lydia is available for national, regional and local speaking and training engagements. She has suitcase; will travel.
Contact her via email at lydia@lydiaramsey.com or call 912-604-0080. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter and visit her website, lydiaramsey.com.
This is very useful, especially for people who have jobs which require them to socialize very often (secretaries, receptionists… yes, it does matter even if you’re not the CEO!). It may seem weird at first because we do this sort of “grooming” at home, but you’ll get used to it in time. It also gives you a moment to refresh during a hectic day!