Handbags and Other Pretentious (or Annoying) Table Situations

Have you ever attended a luncheon or dinner event only to find a woman’s oversized handbag – designer or not – as your luncheon or dinner partner? To add to the dilemma, you probably noticed last-minute arrivals walk past this chair looking for a seat and assuming that the handbag signified the chair was being saved. Unfortunately, this happens at almost all events, business and social. A woman will put her handbag on the chair next to her or a man will put his computer bag on the chair next to him as if to create a make-shift desk.

How to Handle Awkward Interview Questions Diplomatically

It is well known that certain questions (e.g., religion, politics, family, disability) cannot “legally” be asked of a job applicant, which can make the screening process sensitive. There will be times, however, when an interviewer crosses the line, whether intentionally or unknowingly, and tries to trick you into answering these questions. Be open to the fact that even though the interviewer asks an illegal question, it does not necessarily mean that the intent was to discriminate.

The manner in which you respond to an interview question should demonstrate your emotional and social intelligence skills. First and foremost, do not be defensive. Always respond in the most diplomatic way possible; be tactful and use finesse. Your facial expression, tone, and posture will speak louder than the words you select. Do not show “visual” discomfort, arrogance, or intimidation. The way you answer must fit your personality, so before the interview practice answering improper questions with a friend or an interview consultant.

Business Dress

Do We Need Dress Codes?

Dressing for work was once a simple blue-collar and white-collar decision.  Dress codes took the guesswork out of dressing by giving us direction.  You always knew what was or was not appropriate.  And you always knew who the decision makers were by their selection and quality of clothing.  This has changed in most industries with the popularity of business casual, and the new roles of management.  In fact, many organizations have renamed their managers “team leaders,” and casual dress is the norm for all levels.  The business dress line started to blur during the recession of the late 1980s and early 1990s when a record number of companies were “downsizing.”  The “casual Friday” custom was instituted as a way to build morale at a time when pink slips were rampant.  Eventually, casual dress became the norm for the entire week at many companies.  The risk was in the interpretation, especially during warmer weather and when the fashion industry was promoting a new fad that found its way into the workplace.

Behavior

Why Do People Behaving Badly Overshadow People Behaving Honorably?

Role models are people who inspire us, people we look up to with admiration and for direction. They are the pillars of society—people who are raised to prominence by their celebrity status, by their business acumen and philanthropy, by their achievements in social or political circles, by their success in the realms of sport and entertainment, and sometimes by a single life-changing event. To honor that role they massage their image by being mindful of their behavior. Unfortunately, they are overshadowed by the bad behavior of those who fail to live up to their role model status. After all, bad behavior frequently gains more notoriety and fame; and television exploits such behavior for ratings. For example, whenever a celebrity or prominent individual behaves badly (and some do, and they realize it, and they even apologize), we have talk show hosts who use that opportunity to add more kindling to the fire to enhance their ratings. What is wrong with this picture? It is like a wound that just keeps getting picked at so the sore stays open and will not heal. Society needs to heal its wounds so it can move on.