Travel Etiquette
- Tips That Makes Travel Easier

 

Travel etiquette is more important than before as traveling for business occurs more often than a decade ago. To be away from office routine and be on the move can make some of you forget that you are not on holiday, but on the job and expected to behave accordingly once you step foot out of your normal office setting.

Your actions, either good or bad, somehow will reflect your company’s image. The general rule is, you should always behave respectfully wherever you are, especially if you are traveling at the expense of your company!

Air travel for business or personal reasons has become the norm, which means we're all in a hurry and flights are crowded. Consideration and behavior are key factors for a smooth travel experience.

Let’s have a look at the tips below before your next business trip:

• During checking in, have your ticket and passport ready to hand over so you won’t hold up the line.

• If for some reason your flight is delayed or something went wrong on your way to check-in, maintain a pleasant demeanor as the counter agents aren’t responsible for bad weather or plane mechanical problems.

• Dress comfortably, but nicely. Many staff members forget that their appearance directly affects the image of the company when they dress down.

• Don’t forget to say the magic words, "please", "thank you" when asking flight attendants for their help and "execuse me" to the person sitting next to you for disturbing them every time you wish to go to the lavatory.

• If you are travelling with a low cost airline such as Air Asia where seats are not assigned, please don’t push ahead of others to get your seat as there are enough seats for everyone on the flight. Always give way to elderly, small children, pregnant ladies or infirm passengers. Remind yourself that they aren’t being slow by choice. It doesn’t matter how fast you get to your seat as you’re still heading to the same destination and will arrive at the same time.

• Take off your sunglasses no matter how expensive they are or from a popular brand such as Armani, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Gucci, Dior, Bvlgari etc as wearing them inside the flight will invite suspicion, especially to someone sitting beside you. You could flaunting your glamour or bling it once you step out of the plane.

• If you are seated next to someone who likes to chat and you prefer quiet or have work to do politely say, “I am sorry, I would love to talk more but I have to complete my work before we land.” Or to prevent someone from starting a conversation at all, the moment you sit, put on earphones even if you’re not really listening to music. And if you happen to be the one who likes to chat understand the meaning and do not disturb your `neighbor’ any further.

I had once traveled for work with my office mate from Kuching to Miri, Sarawak. The destination was just about 45 minutes away and as we were tired, we planned to have a quick nap in the plane . I put on my earphones and prepared to take my sweet rest. However, the gentlemen seated next to me somehow confidently and willingly exposed his `life and career background’ through the whole journey without giving me a chance to say, “I am sorry, I would love to listen but I need to rest for a while.” Not only did he endlessly talk, he began to ask me personal questions such as, where I am from, what I am doing, my position, my contact so on and so forth. Of course, I don't give as I appreciate my privacy.

On another note, I don't blame him for being friendly, but I feel the company that he works for urgently needs to send him for an etiquette course so that he is aware on certain etiquette skills for a professional personnel like him.

The questions now, how well are your employees behaving and representing your company while they are away? As an employer, have you done you part by sending them for an etiquette course? If you haven't this is the time.

Join us at Polished Etiquette Image and learn how you and your staff can benefits from this important etiquette that will propel you to a higher level in your personal and professional career and in a long run preventing you and your company from losing a business opportunities.