Etiquette Rules Every Lady Needs To Know

1. Don't turn around if someone doesn't call you by your name

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The last thing we want when we're trying to have the etiquette of a lady is being yelled at from across the street. If somebody is not being respectful and using your proper name then just don't turn it down. Keep your composure and demand that if somebody is calling you, they have the respect and call your name rather than they' or even worse 'oy'. Even if it's someone we know...let them know that you respond to your name only. It's a lot more ladylike than turning around at any beckon or vulgar sound.

2. Be on time

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If you've watched The Princess Diaries you'll know that Queen Clarise says 'a queen is never late, everyone else is merely early. However, that doesn't apply to the rest of us in the real world, even if we are ladies. It is polite and correct to be on time for something and not let everybody else wait for you. Sometimes it will inevitably happen. But don't make a habit of being late, especially if you want to adhere to the etiquette of a lady. And if you are going to be a bit late, let people know! This makes all the difference.

3. Don't lean back in your chair

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When we think of a lady, we think of elegance and an air of grace and composure. Someone who conducts themselves properly. So to have the etiquette of a lady we should sit correctly and not slump or lean back in our chairs. We could sit upright, not right against the back but gracefully sat in the middle. It may feel more hard work than leaning against the chair back, but it will also help your posture in the long run too! So sit with a straight back, and definitely don't slump forwards or lean your head in your hands!

4. Look at someone when they are speaking

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Again this sounds super obvious, but now especially so many people don't actually bother looking at someone while they talk to them. It's rude and it's disrespecting that person because it suggests that what they have to say isn't important enough for you to give them your full attention. Lady etiquette states that looking at someone while they are speaking is absolutely essential. And please, let's not check our phones while anyone is talking to us (SO many people do this), but it really is just plain rude.

5. Get stuck at work

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Being a lady is also about more than how we sit and stand and talk. It's about being strong and independent. A lady should get stuck into work whatever it may be, they should not shy away from it. Sometimes there is a stereotype that ladies can't get their hands dirty or work too hard otherwise it can be 'unladylike'. But many people feel that to have the etiquette of a lady, the opposite is the case. Whatever you are working on, do it wholeheartedly with conviction rather than a half-hearted attempt at something.

6. Makeup rules are there for a reason

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Makeup is a very personal thing and everybody likes to do it differently or feels they suit different things. Some people don't like to wear any, some people love a full face of glam beauty, and others prefer the no-makeup makeup look. But according to people who have studied the etiquette of how to be a lady, minimal makeup with neutral tones and a nude lip is the best for managing to achieve the appearance of being a lady. Then again, not everybody wants to achieve this look so feel free to go as glam as you like.

7. Respect yourself

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The number one rule of being a lady is respecting yourself. Being a lady is about feeling empowered and in control. And having respect for yourself means that you then demand respect from other people because you will subconsciously, and consciously assert yourself in terms of how you deserve to be treated. When you respect yourself you will put boundaries in place that are essential for preserving your own happiness and well-being! So respecting yourself is essential to being a lady and feeling like a lady.

8. Don't put your phone on the table

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There's something about this generation where the obsession with technology and always being on our phones has exceeded into our interactions and is overtaking our basic manners. Why do we always need to have our phones right next to us on the table when we are in the company? It's inevitable that when it lights up our attention is drawn straight to it. The etiquette of being a lady suggests that this is not appropriate behavior...and we have to agree! If you want to be a lady, keep your phone in your bag instead.

9. Keep your word

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Keeping your weird has sometimes been deemed the way of 'being a man'. But, it also applies massively to a woman too. In fact, one etiquette rule you need to know as a lady is to always keep your word, unless of course sometimes life truly does inhibit us from doing so. Staying true to your word is how we gain the trust and respect of the people around us. If we don't, people might assume that we're a phony and that there is no real meaning behind the words we speak. This is definitely not the kind of picture we want to portray of ourselves.

10. Respect your time

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Respecting your own time is a way of respecting yourselves. Sometimes it can be easy to give away all of our time to other people, doing things for other people or doing things that they want us to do. Yet if we're not respecting our time it means that we are not saving anything for ourselves. And this isn't looking after your own well-being. So respecting your time is an etiquette rule that ladies need to know about because it helps us to stay strong and happy within ourselves - an essential part of being a lady.

11. Always say please and thank you

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Now this one really should go without saying. But you'd be surprised just how many people neglect to day these two very important words. As soon as we start to speak or go to kindergarten we are told to use our please and thank-yous. Yet some adults reach adulthood and discard of them. that's totally not ladylike AT all. Having basic manners is a key to anybody looking polite, and so if you're aiming to act like a lady this one is absolutely essential. It's the bare minimum, and politeness and manners cost nothing but mean everything!

12. Don't put your elbows on the table

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Putting your elbows on the dinner table is comfy and sometimes it just feels like the only way we can relax when sitting at a table. We know how easy it is to just slump forward slightly and take a rest by propping yourself up on your elbows, But this is a long-standing no-no when it comes to etiquette. And ladies should know this rule. If you are in a public space or even at the dinner table at home (although surely it's allowed here) you should never put your elbows on the table! Instead, sit back and have them on your lap as an alternative.

13. Don't gossip

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There's something totally unladylike about gossip. Gossip usually involves some kind of scandal, someone else's misfortune, or just simply speculation and rumors, none of which are admirable things. Gossip can actually be very harmful, and if the aim is to have the etiquette of a lady then it would be advised not to gossip. Although we all fall into the trap of gossip from time and again because it can feel dun, it is definitely not a good habit to continue. A lady would not gossip about other people.

14. Don't keep your hands on your waist

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Okay, so why exactly aren't we supposed to have our hands on our waists? According to etiquette rules, it is a lot more ladylike to have your hands demurely placed in front of you with one hand in front of another rather than to have your hands placed right onto your hips. Hands-on the waist is more of a power pose, a strong stance, and it gives a little bit more sass than we associate with a 'lady'. But this is totally personal preference and completely dependent upon how you want to portray yourself and act!

15. Reapply makeup in the bathroom

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So according to the etiquette rules that every lady needs to know, we should be reapplying our makeup in the bathroom. According to these rules, applying lipstick in public or at the dinner table is acceptable. But when it comes to powder or any other kind of makeup we should be applying it in the bathroom - it suits us to have better lighting anyway. This way, we walk back out of the toilets looking totally refreshed and people assume it's our natural beauty (which of course, it totally is anyway).

16. Don't shout at someone in another room

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Someone's next door and we want to tell them something so it seems like an easy solution just to raise your voice and shout it. But, a lady should know that in terms of etiquette rules, this is not a good course of action to take. Instead, you either wait until you can see that person face to face or you have to walk up to that person to speak to them. Yelling is not seen as appropriate or classy when it comes to etiquette. And we can see why. Yelling in public isn't exactly how we want to carry ourselves, is it?

17. Don't rush too much

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If like many of us, you're always in a rush, you'll be surprised to hear that this goes against the etiquette rule book for a lady. According to these 'rules' we shouldn't rush too much as a lady, we should take our time. Rushing causes us to get super flustered, forget things and end up in a bigger rush than before. You then end up arriving at wherever you need to be in a hot, sweaty mess looking and feeling completely disheveled. So if you want to adhere to the rule book ladies, then try not to rush and give yourself more time!

18. Be gracious

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Being gracious incorporates all different kinds of things. It's essentially about being a good person, being grateful and appreciative of people and of what you have. And it's about being kind. The etiquette rules (unofficially of course) state that we should always be gracious. Sometimes it is hard to always have such a positive outlook, and nobody is expected to be perfect. But for the majority of the time, being kind and appreciative is super important, as well as an important etiquette rule!

19. Don't talk about people behind their back

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Talking behind people's backs is a horrible act. If it is done in any kind of negative way, it's not something I should encourage. It can be super tempting to do it, especially if somebody has annoyed us. But talking behind someone's back does not portray you in a favorable or ladylike manner. And it gives the impression that you may talk about other people and people may not trust you because they may assume you do the same about them. Keeping a respectful line of open and honest communication is a much better way to deal with situations.

20. Dress in accordance with the setting

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Nobody can tell you how to dress or style yourself. But, to be a lady it is a good tip to try and dress in accordance with your setting. For example, if you were going to a baptism, a night out short dress is not appropriate. Similarly, if you are going to a formal event it could be recommended to dress demurely in accordance with the occasion. That being said, if you're going for a night out to the club feel free to dress in any kind of fun way. It's all about judging what is suitable and appropriate for the setting.

21. And alter your behavior in accordance with the setting

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The same goes for how you behave. We're not recommending that you change your personality and alter how you are as a person. However in certain circumstances to retain the etiquette of a lady it can be important to adjust behavior according to where you are and who you are with. For example, you wouldn't shout to your mates and laugh and joke loudly at a formal work dinner as it wouldn't be suitable - or the etiquette of a lady. Yet you may be at a pub with your friends because the behavior is appropriate for the situation!

22. Have good posture

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Why is it SO hard to keep a good posture? Surely it shouldn't feel like such an effort to keep your back super straight? It could be the fact that we are always hunched forward looking at screens, but arching your back slightly just feels so much comfier. But, step number one of etiquette rules on how to carry yourself is that you should have a good posture. So stop slouching and get that back straight up! No matter how uncomfortable it may feel, it really will benefit you in the long run...AND save your back!

23. Don't be glued to your phone in people's presence

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How many times have we been around people who are glued to their phones? Probably too many to count. In fact, it's become so normalized that you may not even be able to think of an occasion - not because it hasn't happened, but because it's way too frequent. But you should know if you're a lady that to follow the rules of good etiquette you should never be glued to your phone in the company and make people feel that they come second priority to the mere piece of technology that you carry around with you.

24. Don't drink too much alcohol

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There's no rule book that can tell you how to behave, what you drink, or how much you drink of it. But, the rules of etiquette for a lady do suggest that you shouldn't drink TOO much alcohol to the point where you lose your composure and start acting in ways that don't align with how you would usually behave. It's not suggesting not to drink alcohol, however, it does suggest staying away from excess amounts. The kind of amounts we end up regretting we have drank and the amount that makes us do embarrassing things we regret!

25. Don't talk with your mouth full

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This is more than just unladylike, it's a serious pet peeve. So of course, if you're chewing with your mouth full this is NOT the etiquette of a lady, spraying people with food whilst you chat about what you did that day. Another rule of lady etiquette is to never chew with your mouth open. This one shouldn't even have to be said. When we hear someone chewing with their mouth open we all want to cover our ears and run out of the room. It's not acceptable on any level past the age of three years old.

26. Always have a tissue handy, don't sniff

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Picture a lady, she's stood out in the cold or she's got a virus. Is she sniffing? No, she's dabbing her nose with a tissue. There's something exceedingly gross about sniffing (we get it, sometimes we have to) especially when it's big and loud or it continues for some time. Not only is it kind of revolting, but it's also the last action we would ever think of a lady doing. So always carry a tissue in case and absolutely DON'T wipe it on your sleeve - that's even more of a no-no than sniffing is!

27. Don't swear too much

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It's totally up to you whatever you do and how you act. Yet, if you are wanting to have the etiquette of a lady, then etiquette experts recommend that you keep the swearing to the minimum. Shouting obscenities doesn't give off an air of grace, which is something that we associate with being a lady. A lady holds herself with grace, elegance, and femininity and she's the ultimate classy woman. Swearing and shouting don't exactly tie in with this image of being a lady. But hey, you do whatever you want to do!

28. Embrace your intelligence

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Really, a lady can be however she wants to be. But, when we consider the etiquette that you should follow to be a woman, one of the top pieces of advice would be to embrace and develop your intelligence. Never be afraid to voice your opinions or contribute with your ideas. Know that your intelligence is power and encourage yourself to always be learning and developing. This is part of what defines a lady. An intelligent, confident woman who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to show it or voice it!

29. Respect everyone

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Being respectful of others is an important rule that ladies should know. A lady will always be respectful to everyone. Being a lady is all about how she holds herself and how she treats others. In fact, the biggest way to tell if someone is a lady is whether they treat everybody equally, treating everybody with respect. You'll notice this when you go out with someone and witness how they treat any workers in the hospitality industry for example, are they polite with waitresses? Or are they rude to other people?

30. Always RSVP

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RSVP is when you are given an invitation and you have to reply. But even if you do not get an official RSVP correspondence, it's still important to do it anyway. To be lady like you should always reply and let people know if you will be attending. It's common decency to let someone know who is inviting you to something. It allows them to prepare for numbers. And, it is a very much the etiquette of a lady, to always RSVP - no matter if you can or can't go. The important thing is to let them know, either way.