Ten Commandments for Gender-Neutral Etiquette
by Marjorie Brody, CSP, CMC

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1) Shake hands with everyone -- men and women -- the same way. The one hand, straight up-and-down handshake is the most effective and professional.

2) Women should always stand when introduced, as men do, in a one-on-one encounter or meeting environment.

3) Use your full name when introducing yourself. Don`t be "Mary in accounting." Full names give you more credibility and identity as a professional.

4) It is proper and legal to address women as "Ms." in a spoken or written communication. The woman may then advise you to say "Mrs." or "Miss" if she prefers it.

5) Introduce people in business based on rank, not gender.

6) Avoid touching people, beyond the one-hand professional handshake.

7) Avoid showing too much skin in any business-related situation, whether it be dress-down day or the company cocktail party. Short shorts, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, sandal-like shoes or open backs are not appropriate for business-related environments.

8) People open doors for people, not necessarily men opening doors for women. If someone opens a door for you, however, you should not protest this act of politeness.

9) The host of a business lunch, the one who did the inviting, pays for lunch regardless of gender.

10) Avoid saying "Hon," "Dear," "Son," "Doll," and "Babe," to people in the work environment and over the telephone.

Marjorie Brody, CSP, CMC, is a professional speaker, author, executive coach and seminar leader whose training and consulting company, Brody Communications, Ltd., counts as clients numerous Fortune 100 and 500 companies who want their employees to shine.