In our day and age, it seems like good manners are a rarity. Reality television and social media dominate society, which make it hard for young women to have classy people to look up to.
Once upon a time, carrying yourself with class was something that was sought after. Carrying yourself with class does not mean you need to be a snob. It means you need to know how to carry yourself. This is more important than you will ever know.
When you meet someone for the first time…when you have a job interview…when you lead a group of people — These are all instances where people will learn to judge your character. Carrying yourself with a little bit of class can go a long way in these situations.
Remember your manners: You do not need to carry yourself like you are at an etiquette dinner but you need to know the difference between being casual and being a slob. Eat slowly, chew with your mouth closed, etc. These seem like basic rules but as college students, they can easily sleep away from us.
When in doubt, dress nicer than you think you should: There is so much truth in the statement “It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed”. If you are not sure what the dress code is for an event, ask. If you cannot find an answer, make sure you look put-together. You never want to be the most casually dressed person in the room.
The Power of a Thank You: People seriously underestimate the power of a genuine “thank you.” Letting people know you appreciate their help or their advice will go a long way. Reversely, people will remember if you forget to say thank you or if you tend to use people for their help without acknowledging them. If you really want to make an impression send a handwritten thank you note.
Cut back on your swearing: As college students, this habit is hard to break. You really have to make a conscious effort NOT to do this but once you do, it will become a habit, just like swearing did. Train yourself to stop swearing every other word early on because it will just get more difficult to get rid of as you get older.
Be genuine in your conversations: There is nothing more rude than knowing someone is just nodding their head when they are listening to you. Take the time to actually listen to what the other person is saying and not only will you come off as classy, you might learn something.
Be on time and responsible: Being timely and following through is good character. Classy girls have good character.
Know the value of keeping your promises: This follows the same train of though as the suggestion above. If you are someone that frequently bails or commits yourself and then comes up with an excuse, people will begin to notice that.
Be modest in everything you say: If you are talented at something, chances are people probably already know and if they do not, they will catch on. Resist the urge to brag and people will compliment you on their own. No one likes a show-off.
Respect yourself: We always hear so much about having respect for others—but having respect for yourself is just as important. Do not belittle yourself or crack jokes at your own expense. If you talk badly about yourself other people may feel more comfortable doing so.
Don’t put your foot in your mouth: The rule of thumb is “if that person was in the room, would they be okay with me saying it” — this may not be true in every situation but it is a pretty good framework to follow. Once in a while it is okay to vent but running your mouth about everyone who bugs you will catch up with you sooner rather than later.
Avoid jumping on the bandwagon, even when it’s tough: In college, your friends are very important to you. So much so, that you might be tempted to go along with whatever they are doing, regardless of if you approve. If your gut tells you something is not right, it probably is not. Learn how to make your own decisions and you will be more comfortable with the consequences.