DITCH THE RUDENESS

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THIS IS A SPECIAL TIP FOR COMMERCIAL & RESTORATION PROFESSIONALS:
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If you lose your temper with staff at your next business lunch, you also may lose a prospective client, a new survey suggests.

"Displaying poor manners when interacting with the wait staff -- or anyone -- during a business meeting will prompt prospective clients and business partners to question whether they and their claims will be treated the same," says Tracey Turner, executive director of The Creative Group. "Showing up late is a similar sign of disrespect."

Survey participants said displaying poor table manners and dressing too casually also ranked as top unprofessional blunders.

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RUDENESS, UNFORTUNATELY, ISN'T CONFINED TO LUNCHES.
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In 2002, the nonprofit organization Public Agenda conducted a survey called "Aggravating Circumstances: A Status Report on Rudeness in America." Unfortunately, businesses got reamed for rudeness toward customers.

A whopping 81 percent of survey respondents said too many businesses force customers to wait for service, acting as if they are unimportant. A full 77 percent said that is was common for sales people to act like "the customer is not even there."

For the complete report, see -- http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/civility/civility.htm