Enjoy these most popular etiquette topics people want to know about (based on the top ten most-read posts of 2017).
By: Maralee McKee, Manners Mentor
I always find it fascinating to see what interests people. With that in mind, I looked up the top ten most-read Manners Mentor posts of 2017 to discover the etiquette that people most want to know. At this time of year, when we’re all reflecting back and looking forward, I thought it would be fun to share with you what I found.
What were the most common etiquette questions this year? What manners topics peaked readers’ interests? What social skills did people Google?
Here’s a list of the ten most-read posts on Manners Mentor this past year, in order from one to ten.
An interesting fact about number three is that I wrote it for the July 4 holiday in 2016. It was well-received, but not like many of my other posts. More than a year later, I woke up one day and discovered that over 3,000 people had read it in just one evening! People kept coming to it by the thousands each day for several months this fall after a few football players decided to protest by not standing for the playing of The National Anthem. More players followed suit, some Presidential tweets were sent, and suddenly I was doing radio and print interviews from small towns in the U.S. to European capital cities. Who says etiquette isn’t exciting?!
What I find lovely about the list is that people were looking for ways to take care of people (#1), pay ultimate respect (#10), graciously do hard things (#2, 6, 8, and 9), and celebrate others’ milestones (#4 and 7). These are all things that help draw us together by interacting with thoughtfulness, compassion, kindness, and graciousness. It’s a pretty great way to live the new year and all the future ones too!
Without further ado…
The Most Popular Etiquette Topics — The 10 Most-Read Posts of the Year
1.) How to Be a Great Friend To Someone in the Hospital
2.) Three Ways to Nicely Say No Without Feeling Guilty
3.) U.S. Flag, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem Etiquette
4). RSVP Etiquette for Guests and Hosts: The Newest Manners for This Fading Art
5.) Which To-Go Orders You Tip and Which You Don’t
6.) How to Graciously RSVP That You Can’t Attend
7.) Graduation Etiquette — The Top Eleven Manners for Grads, Guests, and Families
8.) How to Apologize: The 7 Steps of a Sincere Apology
9.) How to Graciously Answer Nosy Questions
10.) The Etiquette of Visitations and Funerals
My Favorite Post on the Blog
If I had to limit the blog to one post, it would be this one:
The Gracious 5-Step Formula for Writing Thank You Notes
It’s surprising that it never made The Top 10 List. I believe it’s because too many people don’t want to slow down enough to express gratitude. Yet until we do, what we have will never be enough. It’s while we’re expressing gratitude, and afterward as we think back on it, that our heart is focused on the contentment that the gift or kind act gives us.
What’s Next?
Happy New Year! May the next 12 months bring you health, contentment, and joy!!! Thank you for reading this blog and being part of the Manners Mentor family! Keep doing what only you can do: make your portion of the world a better place by being you at your authentic best!
Blessings galore,