Etiquestions

ETIQUESTIONS

Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa

I am super excited because I have several graduation ceremonies to attend this Spring. What is the proper attire for a commencement ceremony?

It is graduation season, and such a good question! A good rule of thumb is to dress business casual or as you would for a religious service. For women, that means a dark dress, skirt, or pants, a light-colored blouse, and dark shoes. For men, well-ironed khakis or dark trousers with a dress shirt and possibly a tie. Avoid wearing shorts, jeans, tennis shoes, or sandals.

I love to meet my friends at the coffee shop, but I am always surprised by how rude some patrons can be. What is your advice for talking on the phone in the coffee shop? I see it happen all the time.

Unless you expect the call to last under a minute, it is a good idea not to take a phone call while you are in a coffee shop. People may use these spaces for work while other people use these spaces for relaxation. If your phone rings while you are in a coffee shop, 1) answer and ask if you can call the person back, 2) take the call outside, or 3) pack up your things and move on.

I am new to playing golf, and I want to understand the basic golf etiquette rules. What are a few things I need to consider?

Golf is a courteous game. Most golfers appreciate the rules and established etiquette on the course. First, avoid being the slowest player. Assess the pace of your play frequently. Second, don’t lose your cool. Never throw a club, use profanity, or sulk around a course. It’s extremely bad etiquette. Finally, be reliable. If you have a golf date, keep it.

Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa, Ph.D. is a wife, mother, and educator living in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. She is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies. In addition, she holds an Associate of Arts degree in Education from McLennan Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas – Pan American, and a Master of Arts in Educational Supervision from the University of Texas – Pan American. Dr. Baggerly-Hinojosa’s current research is focused on servant leadership, gender issues in leadership, and leadership communication. www.leadershipempowermentgroup.com