Return to Personal Skills Inventory

SOCIAL MANNERS

Developed by Kilby Watson

Please be sure to complete the activities under community, familiar situations and unfamiliar situations as well as the general activities

General activities:

Complete two of the following five activities. Your research for the all of the activities below will come from the following sites:  

http://www.bsu.edu/careers/manners.html

http://www.ywh.com/Tips/party/etiquettes.html

http://www.westernsilver.com/guestetiquette.html

http://www.westernsilver.com/place_settings.html

  1. Read the following scenario. Then, answer the following questions:
You are hosting a small dinner party for four guests. You will be serving an entree and a dessert. No alcohol will be served.
  1. During a typical meal, observe those who are eating around you. What appropriate and inappropriate manners do you observe? Write a one-page essay describing what you observed.
  1. You and a partner will plan a meal and host a dinner party.

Create a checklist containing the menu, include all of the groceries you will need. Then decide how you will prepare the meal. Assign responsibilities for each person. Write a two-page essay on what you did and observed during the get-together. Then, answer the following questions:

 

  1. On a piece of construction paper draw the proper items needed for a formal place setting and illustrate where on a table they would be placed. Label each item clearly. Then using pictures from magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, or House Beautiful, cut out examples of both formal and informal table settings. Be sure to cite your sources underneath the pictures you display.

    2.  

  2. Direct or act in a home video that will teach others how to set a table, and illustrate proper table manners.

 

FAMILIAR SITUATIONS:

Read each of the choices below and then choose to complete one of the three activities. Your research for all of the activities below will come from the following sites:

http://www.eticon.com/busetiq.htm

http://www.webcom.com/michelem/tips.html

http://www.smartbiz.com/sbs/art/exe184.htm

  1. If you have a job, observe the etiquette around the business. Write an essay answering the following questions:

    2. What business etiquette do you notice taking place?

    What could be improved upon?

    Has "business etiquette" ever been addressed by your employer?

    If business etiquette has been discussed, how was it discussed?

    If business etiquette has not been discussed, what do you think should be discussed and why?

  2. While at work or at school, as you interact with your peers or co-workers, discuss how "manners can affect business" with them and write down their opinions. (two page essay)  

 

  1. Develop a 3-5 minute speech or dramatization on how to correctly deal with a difficult co-worker.

    2.  

    For activity 4, please use the following web-sites for your research:

    http://www.bus-safety.com

    http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/

    http://www.ncsbs.org/facts1.htm

  2. Conduct an interview with a bus driver. Ask about any hazardous conditions they may face because of inappropriate passenger behavior. Write their responses. Then, from the above web-sites find four examples of accidents that occurred do to inappropriate passenger behavior. Explain how the accident could have been avoided by citing the rules for bus safety, on the web-sites.

 

UNFAMILIAR SITUATIONS:

Read each of the choices below and then choose to complete one of the four. Your research will come from the web-sites listed under each activity.

  1. Write the answers to all of the questions on the following web-site:

    2. http://www.geocities.com/optimalbiz.interv.html

     

    After answering the questions explain in a one page essay which questions were the most difficult to answer and why?

     

  2. Answer the interview questions on the following site as if you were in the interview. Select a "Virtual Interview" category. Read the directions and then click "Begin the Interview."

    3. http://Interview.monster.com

    Write a two-page response to the practice interview. How did you feel about your answers? What were the five most difficult questions to answer? Why were they difficult for you? What would you do differently if you were being asked those questions in a real interview?

     

  3. Have a teacher interview you using the questions from the following web-site:

http://www.geocities.com/optimalbiz/interv.htmlor ask them to supply the questions for you. Illustrate the proper interview etiquette. Have them answer the questions at the end of this activity section after the interview. To help you understand interview etiquette, look at the following web-sites:

http://www.landjob.com/iguide.html

http://www.careerperfect.com/CareerPerfect/interviewFAQs.htm

Interview Questions for teacher to answer about the Job Interview

1. Was the candidate appropriately dressed?

2. Did the candidate arrive on time or early?

3. Did the candidate have a strong handshake?

4. Was the candidate well groomed?

5. Did the candidate have good posture?

6. Did the candidate appear to have a strong understanding of the questions?

7. Were the responses clear and precise?

8. Did the candidate speak negatively about anything? If so, what?

9.  Was the candidate’s overall attitude pleasant?

10. Would you hire this candidate? Why or Why Not?

 

  1. Join a club or organization. Be an active member of the club or organization. In three or four paragraphs, describe the projects you are involved in within the club or organization. What do you like about being in this organization? What are some positive things your organization does for the community or environment?

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Read each of the choices below and then choose to complete one of the four.

  1. Complete a service project. At the following web-site: http://www.charityguide.org/

 

  1. Find information in your local police department on community service projects happening in your area. Ask for the name of a contact person for the project. Interview that person. Note any difficulties or challenges the person has encountered and how that person feels about helping others.

    2.  

  2. Ask your counselor or go to your local police department to find out information about two community service projects happening in your area. Take photographs of what people are doing to improve the community through the two service projects. Put together a photo album with explanations of what is being done for each project. At the end of the album, write a one-page essay about what you learned.

    3.  

  3. Be involved in an existing community service project by contacting your local police department. Ask what is available for you to participate in. Participate for two weeks. Keep track of the hours you spend on the project, have an officer or chair person of the project sign a form stating you have participated in the project. Write a one-page essay stating what your expectations are before you begin. When you are finished with the project write a one page essay stating what you learned about yourself and the people you worked with during the community project.