Immediate help with etiquette blackouts
Forgotten name?
Who doesn’t know this: you have forgotten the name of the person you are talking to. No problem, admit it openly in the sense of “Unfortunately, my name memory is failing me right now. What was your name?” Keep it short and to the point and then move on to the substantive topics.
Underdressed or Overdressed?
You show up at an event in the wrong clothes. Don’t make the mistake of telling everyone that you made a mistake in your choice of clothes. Remain calm and comment on it casually. In the sense of “I was in a hurry to get here today” or “My suitcase was switched at the airport”. However, if you are completely dressed incorrectly, it is often better to just leave.
Have you made a verbal mistake?
If you like to talk a lot, it will always happen that you say something that embarrasses the other person. In this case, it is important that you are aware that the other person is embarrassed. Avoid big verbal apologies or comments like, “You don’t have to be embarrassed.” Because the other person is not only embarrassed by what was said, but also by the fact that it is embarrassing for him. Therefore: It is better to change the subject to give the other person more security.
No idea about etiquette?
What was it like: Who do you greet first, the older lady or the boss? Which cutlery do you use to eat which food? What do you do if you don’t know your way around the situation or have already made an etiquette faux pas? In this case, follow your intuition or ask briefly, directly and politely how it works or which cutlery is in fashion now, instead of squinting out of the corner of your eye at the neighbor to copy them. It seems sympathetic if you say: “Excuse me, I have no idea who I have to introduce to whom first. I usually always ask my wife. But unfortunately she isn’t here today.”
The classic: the knocked over wine glass
Knocking over a wine glass has probably happened to everyone at some point. Awkward. It’s even more embarrassing when it happens at a business dinner and spills over the boss’s wife. What to do? The same applies here: stay calm. Avoid hectic relief efforts. Apologize to the victim and then ask the waitress for help. Offer help, but don’t do anything without asking. Of course, you offer to cover the cleaning costs.
When your stomach growls
Many people’s biggest fear is stomach or intestinal noises at work. Especially at important meetings, embarrassing situations can arise if the noises occur not just once, but rather frequently.
A glass of water often helps with stomach noises.
If you feel flatulent, you should excuse yourself briefly without giving a reason and go to the toilet to relieve yourself before returning to the meeting. The same applies to hiccups: interrupt the meeting or conversation for a few minutes – or postpone it until the next day if the hiccups don’t stop.
If your colleague smells bad
How do you tell your colleague that he smells strongly of sweat or has bad breath? Rule number one is to give the other person the opportunity to save face. Therefore, you should first point out the problem indirectly, for example by telling the affected colleague that you once had a sweat or bad breath problem and that you got it under control with a particularly strong deodorant or a tongue brush. If the person concerned ignores the advice, you will not be able to avoid a confidential conversation. But don’t make it a state affair, approach it discreetly.
You have no idea
Nothing is more embarrassing than admitting you have no idea or having our professional competence questioned. It doesn’t matter who discovers the knowledge gap, whether it’s a boss or a colleague. In this case, don’t go on the defensive straight away, but rather admit bluntly: “I forgot that” or “I’m not familiar with this area.” That seems more confident than having to gradually admit that you have no idea.
A customer complains
Imagine you’re in a customer meeting and another customer barges in and complains. What now? Initially deny the accusations, but then be polite and cooperative in the sense of “I will take care of the problem immediately.” Also make sure that the complainant leaves the room and that they can finish their other conversation.
You made a mistake
In this case, it can be helpful to show embarrassment. If you have given a customer incorrect information, you should admit it and say that you are embarrassed. This is disarming, especially if you make an effort to make up for the mistake.
You’ve made a huge mistake
Your boss yells at you: “Did you mess up?” and rages and rages and is not amenable to objective arguments. Awkward. The only option here is to let the boss rage. Do not argue and only give brief answers. Your boss obviously wants to take a breather first. The second step is to admit the mistake and apologize. Third, offer a solution.
Gossip about those present
What do you do if you gossip about a colleague who suddenly suddenly stands behind you? In this case you should just use the keep one’s mouth shutbecause all explanations, justifications and the like only make the situation worse.
When a lie is exposed…
… this is particularly embarrassing in professional life. Who doesn’t know this: the boss asks whether you have already completed a task – you haven’t, but you say yes, just to get rid of the boss quickly. And then the manager inevitably asks: “Can I see?” Gone stupid. Now it’s important not to invent any more white lies, otherwise a hopeless entanglement is inevitable. It’s better to distract, cause confusion or get upset about some kind of accusation like “Oh, I just remembered…” or “Are you implying that I had…”. And then you should NEVER use such lies of convenience again.
Further immediate help with etiquette blackouts…
… like on topic Blushing, how to recover, embarrassment as a weapon or diversionary tactic and responding humorously You can get it in the pocket guide “Mastering Embarrassing Situations” by Matthias Nöllke. 2008, Rudolf Haufe Verlag. 6.90 euros. ISBN 978-3-448-08814-4.
