Adult Etiquette "How to Act Like an Adult"

 

Proper Etiquette for all Situations

Are you 18 and older, but feel like a child? Do you have a hard time acting like an adult towards others, even though legally you are one? Being an adult can be a difficult thing to do, especially if you aren’t sure what being an adult is all about. Making adjustments to your lifestyle and your general attitude towards others can bring you one step closer to acting like an adult.

  1. Dress like an adult. Act the part by investing in clothing that makes you feel like a grown up. Trade in your band shirts for collared button downs, go for a nice blazer instead of a denim jacket, and invest in a nice pair of shoes. Go shopping with an adult and ask for their opinion on your selections. Look for clothing that is high quality and well made. Fast fashion, or trendy styles may look good in the moment, but it's a smarter move to invest in pieces that will last you longer than a few weeks. Put some effort into your appearance by doing your hair, making sure your clothes are clean, and putting cologne or perfume on.
  2. Keep your living area clean and tidy. Messy living spaces can make you feel like you are living in a college dorm room, or a kid’s room. Clean up the sink full of dirty dishes or the piles of laundry lying around your room or apartment. Reduce clutter by re-organising your space to be more functional. Focus on presenting a clean, organised living space. This might just be your bedroom or your car. 
  3. Find a mentor. A mentor is someone who gives help and advice to a less experienced person. A good mentor will help you build your self confidence and self worth. They will teach you new skills or help you improve on the skills you already have, and act as a role model or someone you can look up to.
  4. Learn a new skill. This could be cooking, driving, or even crocheting. Focus on building your self confidence by learning more about a skill or activity that interests you. Start small and tackle small dishes like a sandwich for lunch or a stir fry for dinner. Look online at simple recipes that take under 30 minutes to prepare.
  5. Take control of your finances. This is a big one, but most adults have their finances under control and in order. Have goals and work towards them. Avoid splurging on clothing or other unnecessary items. This will show the adults in your life that you are serious about being responsible about how and when you spend your money. Taking control of your finances will also benefit you as a person and give you more self confidence in the company of other adults.
  6. Adjusting Your Attitude and Demeanour. Use your manners. Say please and thank you, say excuse me in a crowded room and bless you when someone sneezes. Send thank you cards, call your mother back and chew with your mouth shut. Displaying good manners shows respect towards others, which will then make others respect you as an adult.
  7. Take responsibility for your actions. If you get into an argument with someone, take responsibility for your part in the confrontation and apologise to that person. If you accidentally ding your parents’ car on a night out, take responsibility for that action and tell them what happened. Owning up to your mistakes is a big part of being an adult, even if it means facing the consequences.
  8. Be confident, but not arrogant. Approach situations with confidence and purpose, especially if it has to do with your schooling or your job. But avoid acting stuck up or arrogant towards others. This will only alienate you from other people and lead to confrontation
  9. Don’t be afraid of negative feedback, as long as it is constructive. A big part of being an adult is being willing to work on improving yourself, every day. Feedback from a teacher, a manager, or a peer can help you develop into a better adult, as long as it is constructive and not hurtful or insulting. Many adults face criticism in their work and at home. Handling the criticism with grace and openness shows you are a mature, confident person.
If you do receive negative feedback, focus on how you can improve your work based on that feedback. Don't overanalyse the negative comments or whine about the negative outcome. Instead, look at how you can use the feedback in a positive way to get better at your job or at your studies.

Reference & Author : wikihow.com & Amanda King

 

Proper Etiquette for all Situations

Basic Social Etiquette

There are certain accepted behaviours in all social situations that you need to learn. With few exceptions, putting them into practice can make a big difference in your social life.

  • Easy to have good manners – These basic rules of proper etiquette are mostly common sense with a healthy dose of the Golden Rule thrown in for good measure.
  • Be on time – No one likes to wait for others who are chronically late.
  • Personal space – When you see someone squirming as you step closer back off a bit. Every culture has different comfort levels of personal space, so before you travel, find out how close you can get to people without being rude.
  • Men’s manners – This one is simple: All you have to do is be a gentleman. Rudeness is never manly.
  • Women’s manners – You can be a lady and still show strength.
  • Teens’ manners – Show everyone how grown up you are by demonstrating good manners.
  • Children’s manners – Be the kid everyone wants to play with. Even grownups will want to be around you if you're polite.
  • Host and Hostess Gift - Never show up empty-handed when you're a guest in someone's home.
  • Dealing with a Flaky Friend - It's difficult to deal with someone who is always late or forgets to show up.

 

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