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The past three decades have been a time of increasing informality in the American workplace. It's easy to characterize this growing comfort with the casual as a positive step for workplace culture, an outgrowth of the American democratic belief in workers' equality. Informal environments are said to be more trusting and open, and workers who are free to express their personalities are more comfortable and thus more creative--right? According to etiquette guru Judith Martin--known far and wide as Miss Manners--informality in the workplace may do more harm than good. Without some formality in social intercourse, Miss Manners argues, human interactions end up being governed by laws, which are too heavy-handed to serve as a guide through the nuances of personal--or professional--behavior. Since our earliest beginnings, we have developed formal rules to accompany shared human experiences, such as eating and mourning. Yet, says Miss Manners, something in us rebels against form and etiquette, and every so often, an antimanners movement takes hold, and people come to believe that following etiquette is unnatural. One recent such movement has led to the belief that a distinction between our work life and our professional life is unnecessary. If we hope to reassure our customers that we are indeed professional, however, we need to be aware of the boundaries of professional behavior. On the whole, Miss Manners argues, informality in the workplace leads to a host of problems, from making employees feel pressured to "socialize" with coworkers during weekends and evenings to sexual harassment. Despite the shortcomings of informality in the American workplace, though, Miss Manners believes that we have the best code of manners the world has ever seen--in theory. In practice, America n etiquette is undoubtedly still a work in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most Westerners preparing for a business trip to China like to arm themselves with a list of etiquette how-tos. "Carry a boatload of business cards," tipsters say. "Bring your own interpreter." "Speak in short sentences." "Wear a conservative suit." Such advice can help get companies in the door and even through the first series of business transactions. But it won't sustain the prolonged, year-in, year-out associations Chinese and Western businesses can now achieve. The authors' work with dozens of companies and thousands of American and Chinese executives over the past 20 years has demonstrated that a superficial adherence to etiquette rules gets executives only so far. They have witnessed communication breakdowns between American and Chinese businesspeople time and time again. The root cause: the American side's failure to understand the much broader context of Chinese culture and values, a problem that too often leaves Western negotiators flummoxed and flailing. American and Chinese approaches often appear incompatible. Americans see Chinese negotiators as inefficient, indirect, and even dishonest, while the Chinese see American negotiators as aggressive, impersonal, and excitable. Such perceptions have deep cultural origins. Yet those who know how to navigate these differences can develop thriving, mutually profitable, and satisfying business relationships. Four cultural threads have bound the Chinese people together for some 5,000 years, and these show through in Chinese business negotiations. They are agrarianism, morality, the Chinese pictographic language, and wariness of strangers. Most Western businesspeople often find those elements mysterious and confusing. But ignore them at any time during the negotiation process, and the deal can easily fall apart. INSET: Who's on Your Side of the Negotiating Table?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article refers to a character in the Charles Dickens book "Our Mutual Friend," and mentions what American executives should know when they travel abroad to make business deals. Negotiation techniques need to be adjusted to ensure accurate communication and overcome stereotypes. An example is given for using a Socratic approach in setting up a joint venture. The concept of a written contract has to be clearly established before an agreement on content can be started. Mutual trust and confidence can be improved with clarification of definitions, simplification of long sentences, or elimination of excessive wording in a contract. Topics include examples of business attitudes and the responsibility of lawyers in negotiation.

A calendar of events related to education for June 2009 is presented including Cancer from the Sun Month celebration, Sports America Kids Month and National Business Etiquette Week.

The article presents topics related to social interaction with people with disabilities in the workplace. It mentions the NFI Circle of Champions, a group of businesses that have received the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award for efforts to recruit, hire and promote individuals with disabilities. The article also discusses how to approach people with disabilities and converse with them in a respectful and professional manner.

The article addresses issues facing multicultural teams in the U.S. workplace. Members from New York may function very differently from members from the Midwest or the South, with marked distinctions in matters such as business etiquette and attire. The philosophy and uniqueness of other cultures brings richness to problem-solving, says Linda Rudolph of NDS Americas. Communicating effectively is the biggest challenge for multicultural teams because communication styles differ across cultures.

The article offers information about organizational culture in the U.S. It is simpler than personal culture because it is easier to change its terms. It is different from world culture which is the source of a person's identity and it is not so encompassing because it lacks the broad links that help define how a person understands himself. Such weakness implies that organizational culture is dynamic and it can adapt and change to new influences quickly. For one to define such culture, it requires one's capacity to identify common organizational references. Discussed are the details of the issue.

The article reports on the result of the study on the extent of the students' knowledge of job interview etiquette in the U.S. Based on the result of the survey, respondents understood the importance of listening behaviors, which included eye contact and nodding the head occasionally. The study concluded that females are more knowledgeable than males about appropriate behaviors at the job interview. Instructors are recommended to provide classroom activities and assignments that will help their students succeed in their job interview

Describes the diversity awareness training of employees at Pacific Gas & Electric in the United States. Key behaviors for measuring the effectiveness of diversity awareness trainers; Certification of diversity awareness trainers; Tips for creating diversity awareness training teams. INSETS: Tips for Creating External/Internal Diversity Awareness Training;Glossary.

Presents the views of the author on the simile between the undue solicitude in customer service in New England and solicitude of the U.S. government. Aversion of New Englanders to the kindly and hospitable attentions of headwaters and stewards; Assertion of the author that the solicitude displayed by the U.S. government is not an undue solicitude; Effect of the New Deal on Americans.

The article reports on an increase in the sales of premium cigars in the U.S. There is something both regal and naughty about high-priced cigars. A growing number of men and some women are enjoying the mixture of the two. From 1989 through 1993 annual sales rose 24%, from 88 million cigars to 109 million. It is estimated there are now up to 8 million cigar smokers in America. Cigarmakers in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico and Jamaica, where most of the premium cigars that are legal in the U.S. come from are rolling as fast as they can.

This section offers news briefs concerning businesses and businesspeople. It cites some of the prevalent Japanese business etiquette. Joseph T. Mendola opened the Illustrators Art Gallery in New York to exhibit both commissioned and private works of Bernie Fuch, Jim Sharpe, and other well known illustrators. The advantages of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 tri-jets and the available DC-10 services in the U.S. are also highlighted.

This article presents an interview with Beverly Y. Langford, author of the book "The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success." When asked about the relevance of her book to the U.S. workforce in the twenty-first century, she answers relating to the need for practical business guidelines. She believes that being courteous can give someone a competitive advantage in the workplace. She comments on the benefits of etiquette edge to someone's career. INSET: Etiquette Quiz.

In this article the author discusses the various clothing styles that male executives have adopted while their at work. The author discusses several executives including Howard Hughes, Steve Jobs, John T. Molloy and Alan Flusser. The author states that the one executive who has been able to incorporate all of the various clothing styles is Warren Buffett.

The article reviews what the author's sees as the top 10 victim stories of 2005. The author discusses the controversies surrounding the political correctness of Halloween, the federal campaign against binge drinking among college students, and Web logs discussing the workplace. Also discussed are the controversies surrounding prejudicial treatment of red headed people and sex workers. The author also reviews the uproar regarding the government's response to Hurricane Katrina.

The article focuses on how important manners are in conducting business in the U.S. Nearly 60% of professionals say that they will take their business elsewhere if they will be treated rudely. One consultancy lost a $30 million contract after an executive licked his knife at the table. Information resources on the business ethics are cited Web site, audiotape compilation and books.

Discusses business etiquette. Generational biases concerning good office manners; Cases showing how to bridge gaps on manners among generations; Steps to take to avoid accusations of discrimination and sexual harassment; Political correctness.

The article offers tips for growing business and start-ups in the U.S. Topics discussed include use of executive coaches for different purposes such as creation of media and presentations; hiring of employees; and negotiation situations, conflicts, or transactions. It also mentions the use of coaches in personality or emotional issues.

The article discusses key issues concerning consultants who offer seminars covering dining etiquette, introductions, telephone manners and other points of corporate civility to companies in the U.S. in 1989. Key issues discussed include background information on the consultants and market prospects for their operations.

The article focuses on the significance of giving importance to etiquette among employees amidst the emergence of electronic tools in the U.S. According to the Protocol School of Washington, the top business etiquette missteps include applying swear words, conversing on a speakerphone when others are nearby, and the failure to make eye contact. It mentions that the human resource (HR) department must encourage their employees to apply face-to-face interaction when conducting business.

The article discusses the behavioral habits of members of the U.S. House and Senate when on the chamber floors. Topics include snacking habits, the use of Blackberries to play games and check email, sustained arm touching as a sign of intimidation and affection, and resting one's feet on the back of the seat in front of them.

The article discusses the importance of training before doing the marketing in various business enterprises in the U.S. It notes that this activity is necessary to drive success in doing this initiative. Employees who are well-trained ensure the conversion of marketing opportunities into actual sales by attracting a vast number of consumers. Meanwhile, companies are provided with recommendations to make prospects into customers including the creation of etiquette rules for the employees.

The article discusses the etiquette surrounding farewell notes from journalists to their fellow newsroom employees as they leave their jobs. The author's own related experiences at the "San Jose (Texas) Mercury News" newspaper are mentioned, and comments are included from U.S. journalists such as Joe Grimm, Peter Post, and Larry Minner. Other topics discussed include tone, length, and office politics. Several examples of goodbye notes are included, the longest from Minner, formerly of the "Modesto (California) Bee."

The article focuses on the importance of changing workplace culture and its impact on employees in the U.S. These changes extend its pattern, off-site meetings, communications forums, tweaks in compensation systems and public announcement, that could help employees behave consistently. Moreover, it points out that changes should begin with gaining clarity of firm's brand and customer expectations.

This article offers advice on etiquette for board meetings. Eight in 10 Americans surveyed felt that a lack of respect and courtesy is a serious problem in their society. Peggy Post, the primary spokesperson and author for the Emily Post Institute, Burlington, Vermont, is not surprised by these responses. Increasingly, business etiquette has been of particular concern as organizations try to achieve that delicate balance between personal and professional interactions. Post's book "The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success" offers practical advice on a variety of topics, including planning and leading productive meetings. INSET: Chairman's Checklist.

The article presents the author's experiences about the friendly side of sales and service in the U.S. He stresses on the importance of being friendly in a business. He feels that it is always good being friendly while delivering services to the customers. All things being equal, people want to do business with their friends. All things being not quite so equal, people still want to do business with their friends. The author also narrates his experiences of friendliness and unfriendliness at airport, restaurant and hotels.

Profiles Corby O'Connor, president of O'Connor Business Etiquette & Protocol in New Jersey. Previous employment; Importance of proper manners and behavior; Educational background.

Deals with issues related to the state of diversity training in the U.S. Negative effects of diversity in the workplace; Significance of communication in addressing diversity; Total percentage of discrimination lawsuits that were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. on issues related to workplace discrimination.

The author describes some situations at bars in the U.S. that irritate customers. He expresses frustration with bartenders who lack etiquette and fail to acknowledge a customer when one approaches the bar. He also criticizes bartenders at higher end restaurants or bars who do not measure ingredients when making cocktails. He asserts that the best mixologists use jiggers both for precision and cost control.

Gives advice on business etiquette in the United States. Includes tactfulness on using the Internet; Attires for the office; Etiquette in using the fax.

Focuses on the importance of entertaining to American business enterprises. Need to consider nationalities and cultures of guests; Assignment of a protocol coordinator; Issue of reciprocity for hosting guests.

Provides tips in office etiquette. Jokes; Sexual harassment; Use of office appliances for job applications to other companies.