Business Etiquette
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The Things I'm Asked
April 23, 2007
Recently, a group of five male law students approached me after a presentation. What’s a junior supposed to do, they wanted to know, if they’re standing at an office urinal and a more senior lawyer approaches and begins to talk business. It’s not an issue with which I have any personal experience.
Turns out these particular law students are hardly alone in wondering about appropriate office bathroom etiquette. I’ve shared this anecdote with several other business travelers, and wouldn’t you know, virtually all of them have had their own question or personal story.
So let’s set some rules:
- Please don’t initiate a business discussion in a rest room. Anything that absolutely needs to be said can wait until everyone is in a hallway, cubicle or office.
- If someone enters the office rest room and initiates a conversation, it’s appropriate to ask, “Could this wait? I can meet you in your office in just a few minutes.”
- Please, please do not bring your cell phone into the office rest room (or any other rest room for that matter) and take or make calls while there.
- And don’t forget to wash your hands before leaving the rest room.
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