REVEALED: THE BIGGEST ETIQUETTE MISTAKES AUSSIES KEEP MAKING

Etiquette expert Jo Hayes

For all the advances in technology, AI and modern communication, one thing appears to be going backwards: basic manners.

According to etiquette expert Jo Hayes, Australians are increasingly forgetting the small social behaviours that once formed the foundation of everyday life, from punctuality and introductions to phone etiquette and dining manners.

Hayes, founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org, says many people no longer understand the basics of respectful social behaviour.

Here are some of the biggest etiquette mistakes she says Australians keep making:

1. Being late

According to Hayes, punctuality is one of the clearest signs of respect.

“Being late for appointments and social engagements is one of the most ill-mannered, disrespectful things one can do,” she said.

Hayes recommends arriving at least five to 10 minutes early and building “margin room” into your schedule to account for traffic, delays or unexpected interruptions.

“If the GPS says 40 minutes, make sure you factor in at least 50,” she said.

2. Terrible phone etiquette

Few things frustrate Hayes more than people using loudspeaker phone calls or blasting music in public.

“Phones not on silent! Oh, the horror stories I could tell you,” she said.

She says phones should almost always be on silent in public spaces, including restaurants, airports, workplaces and public transport.

“This means no rings, dings and pings, and definitely no audio on the loudspeaker,” she said.

Hayes says long phone conversations on buses, trains and planes are also inconsiderate, particularly when passengers are forced to listen to “half a conversation” they never wanted to hear.

3. Weak handshakes is an etiquette mistake

According to Hayes, a proper handshake still matters. “A good, firm shake, palm to palm, accompanied by a warm smile and direct eye contact tells the other person you are confident and trustworthy,” she said.

But she warns against overdoing it. “Don’t crush the other person’s hand. It’s not about proving who’s the most powerful.”

4. Forgetting people’s names

Hayes says using somebody’s name during a conversation is one of the easiest ways to build an instant connection.

“Amy, lovely to meet you” creates far more warmth than simply saying “Lovely to meet you,” she explained.

She says hearing our own name creates a sense of acknowledgement, respect and attention.

5. Bad dining manners

Hayes believes many Australians are reaching adulthood without ever learning proper dining etiquette.

“In modern times, with families eating together far less frequently, many children are getting to adulthood not having been taught the basics of good table manners,” she said.

Among the biggest mistakes:

• chewing with the mouth open

• talking while chewing

• using phones at the table

• poor knife-and-fork technique

• taking oversized bites

Hayes says good table manners apply everywhere, from casual cafés to Michelin-star restaurants.

6. Taking calls during meetings

In workplaces, Hayes says, constantly checking phones or interrupting meetings to answer calls sends a damaging message.

“As soon as we interrupt a meeting or conversation to take a call or check a message, we are demonstrating that the other person is more important than the person sitting in front of us,” she said.

Unless there is an emergency, she believes phones should remain silent and out of sight during meetings.

7. Not saying ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’

Hayes describes these phrases as “relationship superglue”.

“Be quick to apologise, and do it sincerely,” she said. “Being one to own one’s mistakes shows great strength of character.”