Manners matter
Liberty PRSSA chapter hosts etiquette banquet
The number of degrees people have will not get them far in life if they do not know better than to not chew with their mouths open or belch out loud at the dinner table. Respectable manners, along with a solid education, have the potential to open doors to a bright future.
At an etiquette banquet hosted by Liberty’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter March 24, Dr. Stephen Preacher, a professor in Liberty’s School of Business, spoke on the importance of business etiquette. He said businesses pay attention to the social intelligence of an individual, and added that acting appropriately can come in handy.
ETIQUETTE — Dr. Stephen Preacher gave tips and tricks for fine-dining interviews. Photo provided
“Etiquette helps establish the rules of behavior that allow you to have a smooth social interaction and help to avoid anxiety, embarrassment and possibly offending someone,” Preacher said.
According to Preacher, inappropriate behavior can also lead to awkward situations.
“Not having proper etiquette can inadvertently offend someone, create a bad impression and show lack of professionalism or competency,” Preacher said.
“It also shows you aren’t sensitive to others.”
During the event, students and staff were taught the importance of first impressions, especially when an individual introduces himself or herself to a potential employer.
“I recommend (this event) to everyone I meet, because a good impression is important,” Preacher said. “While many may not remember the details of my speech, I hope they could take away that you can never undo a first impression.”
While some students may say the event was just a repeat of what they already know, others explained that the banquet was still beneficial.
“The purpose of our etiquette banquet is to guide students through the dos and don’ts when at a business dinner,” Vice President of Liberty PRSSA chapter Joshua Gordon said. “I have become more aware of business and table etiquette as a result of the event.”
Megan Miller, a business student working on her doctoral degree, explained that students from all majors could learn from the banquet, as interpersonal skills can be applied in any setting.
For more information on PRSSA events, visit the Liberty University PRSSA Facebook page.
LEWIS is a news reporter.