work etiquette?

Question

what are the rules about saying hello to people who you work / engage withduring the day.
is it just me or is passing certain people you work with quite awkward - are you meant to say hello 10 times every day, who should say hello first - is it ignorant / offensive to not say hello to people you work with when they dont either.
do you have to fake friendliness in work / public?
is it expected?

uhh why do people have to be so difficult - ive had jobs where the people were the true work.
thanks for your answers so far very good.

Answer 1

I would advise the following

- when you come into the office at the start of the day, smile at people you pass in the corridor and say hello to the people actually in your office when you get there.

- during the day, if you make eye contact with people you have not yet greeted, smile and nod. If they are someone you are friends with, or someone junior to you who you want to encourage, smile and say "Hi there" or "cold again today" or "nearly the weekend" or something neutral like that. Generally if someone is senior to you, you don't speak unless spoken to.

- at the end of the day, say goodbye to the people actually in your office (a general "good night, see you tomorrow" or "have a good weekend" is fine) and again, nod & smile at people who make eye contact with you on your way out.

Generally remember that good manners is about being considerate to other people, not worrying about yourself.

Answer 2

Well, always be professional. I think you should speak to everyone you see the first time you see them in a day. I don't think you have to speak 10 times to the same person. And, yes you should speak even when someone else is not speaking back. Why sink to their level of rudeness. Obviously you are the kind of person who feels speaking is the right thing to do since you asked the question and there is nothing wrong with that. I agree! Doing the right thing in a balanced way will go a long way in giving you a positive reputation on the job. Just be genuine when you speak. And for those people that don't speak, speak and move on. Don't dwell on the fact that they didn't speak back. That is on them. Feel good about the fact that you are being the best you can be at work; which is the point!!!

Answer 3

As long as you're civil it doesn't really matter. I find an 'alright?' while walking past people, with a bit of an upwards nod, suffices quite well to keep office relationships well, and if you happen to stop in the same place (e.g. photocopier), conversation can then spark up naturally.

I don't think many people are deliberately rude... but it would get tiring to smile at people every single damn time you go near them...

Judge it by the eyes. If they meet your eyes, then go for the smile, maybe adding a 'hi!' or general grunt of greeting. If they don't, no need to worry.

Answer 4

Nods and smiles will get you through the day. Just friendly aknowledgement, even if you dont start a conversation.

But I must say, I don't know what I'd do all day at work if I weren't having friendly banter and random conversations with my colleagues!! It's always good to make some proper friends at work if you can...

Answer 5

When you first see them in the morning, greet them with a "good morning". There's no need to greet them again for the rest of the day, but when you pass them, look at them and smile. If they don't do it to you or don't reciprocate, you may then do the same. We fake all the time in our interaction with other people at work or public. Not eveyone smile automatically. They have to tell themselves to smile and be friendly. So go on a fake it.

Answer 6

It is the height of bad manners not to say "good morning" or "hello" when you meet your colleagues for the first time each day. After that, it is acceptable to nod and smile on future meetings, but under no circumstances should you just walk past without acknowledging them.

For other members of staff who are not in your team or department, you are expected to nod and smile on each meeting. You should get one in return; if they cut you dead, consider them gimps and criticise them behind their back for their bad manners. Such are the mores of working in an office!

Answer 7

I've found this to a be a regional thing. A nod or a smile is always okay. Don't get offended at people who don't do the same because they might be thinking about something when they pass you.

Answer 8

You smile to regular faces every day but people who you dont see often a hello would be nice. Also if a person doesnt reply back dont repeat it only a smile would be good.

Answer 9

Say hello the first time you see them that day. After that, just make eye contact and nod or smile.

Answer 10

Well it's it all depends on each individual. At my work place this fellow always say hello to me each morning but in return he get no response from me. It wasn't because that I felt irritated or anything but it's just a morning habit for me to have a quiet morning doing my own thing.