Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Good m staff writer REBECCA CRONICAN For college students entering the real world of job interviews, wedding receptions and dinners with the boss, making a good impression is always important. Knowing what to say, how to dress and how to act can be tricky, so here are some tips to help those potentially awkward situations go smoothly At a job interview, avoid wearing bright colors, flashy jewelry and tight clothing. "I would have no ic formal dinner. Just confuses me." "Dress according to the job you're coming for," said Florette Morgan, author of "Proper Me" and etiquette teacher at Proper Miss Manners and Charm. According to Maureen Durkin, the program manager for on-campus recruiting and special events at USC, that usually means a suit and tie for men and a professional suit, pantsuit or nice dress for wdmen. Too formal is better than too casual. Miss Florette, as she's known to her students, recommends finding out beforehand exactly where the interview is to avoid getting lost. Make sure to arrive 15 minutes ear ly just in case. Shake hands with the interviewer, and look him or her in the eye. "The first few minutes are about breaking the ice," Durkin said. "The interviewer will usually set the stage for small talk." Talking about personal subjects is acceptable if those subjects are relevant to the job. Remember, though, it's illegal for an interviewer to ask about marital status, disabilities, age, race and religion. While if s never appropriate to bring up money ? the interviewer will do that?if s OK to ask when to expect to /. y, . y I CH I THE SO1 ICOMIN C( tanners 1 hear from the interviewer once the interview is over. All these rules are helpful in the interview situation, but is it necessary to remember every one in order to get the job? Probably not, Durkin said. The job market is so strong right now, if s not likely that a small etiquette faux pas would be a deciding factor in getting or losing a job. As far as restaurant etiquette is concerned, a casual meal at McDonald's is one thing. However, at a business or formal dinner where a good impression is crucial, there's considerably more to remember. lea what to do at a the silverware Jennifer Rainman, junior "I would have no idea what to do at a formal dinner," junior Jennifer Rainman said. "Just the silverware confuses me." When ordering at a nice restaurant, let the host or hostess go first, and don't order messy foods like French onion soup or triple cheeseburgers. "Avoid anything that's hard to eat," Morgan said. As a "general rule, wait until everyone has been served to start eating. However, if the meal is buffet style, it's acceptable to start eating as soon as the host does. Never eat with fingers at a formal setting except with foods like cold vegetables, artichokes and small sandwiches. Finger foods are likely to be served at weddings and parties. Once the eating etiquette is taken care of, there's the flatware to contend with. The forks should be laid out in order, so start with the one on the far left and work inside, toward the plate. If a fork falls on the floor, don't pick it up, but tell the waiter and ask for a new one. At the end of the meal, both fork and knife go at a 4:20 position, as if the plate were a clock. Is it acceptable to smoke or apply makeup at the table? untr * VP wM jm Hk. mm UTHWwl G IN OCTl 1TTIMRIA SONY MUSIC JIAJlYIDl/Y __J SOUNDTRAX americaa v?x tielp in Freshmen Tamal Mesmith. Ti such as this one have a mucl tant to know special rules of "Not ever," Morgan said. Talking about money is anc taboo. "Never discuss money with ar other than your banker," Morgan She also advises to stay a from controversial topics, such as tion, politics or religion, and to i making jokes at the table. I : wiim ?||| Vl [ID I ALBUM I OBER. I life ? to - a\ \j L-\ /. \ I 3 |r 1 < ^ I :: W V p?n M/-; ' t ^ | , Js J ell Fletcher and Anthony Brie (left to i i more relaxed atmosphere; however, I etiquette. Those rules range from when That way, people won't run the ris )ther of laughing so hard that they spit ( choke. lyone Another thing to keep in mind: Dor said, ever correct someone else's gramim tway or pronunciation, abor- It seems like there's a lot to ri avoid member in order to have good manner but sophomore Laurie Hendrix doesn Robin Williams -v. This Friday, I ^Jlfl >^$^1 HH ven colle i r |f . 5 t I I I \ ' $ *' * IvftVr* 4 /A k ' 11 | ^ ^ ?/ I f : ;| iillilliiMi # % <| '-WxA "|t . ;fl wmmmmmm'*' s Tl .,ti?&fc <' right) eat lunch Thursday at Chic-fil-A n the event of business dinners or dim to begin eating to which forks to use a >k think that following etiquette rules has )r to be difficult. She does think the rules are im1't portant to remember "because knowir ing how to act and treat people gains respect." e- According to Morgan, whatever the s, situation, the most important rule in t't making a good impression is to "always Cuba Gooding, Jr The End Is Just Ty What (ramsr/] Con - . . V-- ; : ' . . *:fb r & spTTT , . HH^B||B ge life , ' f ' -f" > ;, \ J * 1 ELLEN BYRD The Gamecock in the Russell House. Social meals lers at nice restaurants, it's import which times. smile. Always smile and talk soft," she said. Having manners is about "making society more civil," saying "excuse me" after bumping into someone and just being aware of those around you. "Manners simply means sensitive awareness of another human being," Morgan said. 1 Annabella . SciORKA 4e Beginning. [a/ 4E HH MBMMIk^,