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TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

Students discuss religious topics in a small group. (Photo courtesy of tcuwesley.org)
Wednesday nights at TCU’s Methodist campus ministry provide religious exploration and fellowship
By Boots Giblin, Staff Writer
Published Mar 27, 2024
Students at the Wesley said they found community on Wednesday nights.

Manners important for getting jobs

Manners important for getting jobs

I was always annoyed and a little embarrassed as a kid when I would say “yes” to an adult and my mom or dad would follow with “‘ma’am,’ say ‘yes ma’am.'” I learned quickly that even though I didn’t think it was necessary to use my best manners when talking to the cashier at the grocery store or someone in passing, it was important to my parents.

As I became an adult who now has interviews with companies for jobs and internships, I couldn’t be more appreciative to my parents, and I know they are proud when people are impressed with my manners.

Have you ever seen people chewing with their mouths wide open at a nice dinner?

You hope and pray harder than you ever have that they aren’t eating what you just ordered, because suddenly, it doesn’t look as appetizing.

Think about how you act in public now that you are in college. Would you make your parents proud? If your mother saw you at dinner, would she be appalled?

It isn’t just table manners, though.

Do you know how important manners and common courtesy can be when interviewing for jobs?

According to a January 2002 USA Today article, Liz Hubler, executive director of OfficeTeam, a California-based staffing service specializing in highly skilled administrative professionals, said “In today’s fast-paced business environment, it’s not unusual for people to pay less attention to matters of workplace etiquette and protocol.

“But time spent showing consideration for others is a smart career investment. People have long memories when it comes to how you treat them; and the courtesy you extend will be noticed and reciprocated.”

Here in Texas, we have a stereotype that we are often asked to live up to.

Guys, did you know you are still known as southern gentlemen by people anywhere north of Oklahoma?

Southern graces aren’t something from the 1920s. They are here, in the 21st century and they need to be respected.

Does anyone even acknowledge the people around them that are walking around in the mall?

If someone drops their books on campus, do you stop to help?

These examples might not be what you would traditionally consider manners, but they are.

Smiling as you walk past someone on campus or stopping someone to tell them they dropped a pen out of his or her backpack is a simple way to show that you use manners.

Manners will never go out of style.

“Yes, ma’am,” “No, sir,” “Thank you” and “No, thank you” will get you further in this world than you’d think, according to Hubler.

If you are in a tight race for a job against someone with the same qualifications as yours, but you have manners and they don’t, guess who is more likely to get the position. You are.

Having manners is a wonderful asset, but they can’t do you any good if you don’t use them.

If you are searching for respect from your peers, think about how you address them and speak to them.

If you were in their shoes, would you feel respected?

You can’t get respect until you give it, and I can’t think of a more perfect place to start than with manners.

And remember, a simple “yes” doesn’t cut it. Say “Yes, ma’am” or “Yes, sir.”

Marissa Warms is a senior advertising/public relations major from Irving. Her column appears Fridays.

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