You have a 3 p.m. flight to catch, the boy has an exam to finish, you have a morning meeting between 9 and 11, the cooking to finish and you haven't packed as yet! Sounds familiar? Welcome to the world we live in, where everything is almost upside down and yet we have to keep that “perfect” image of ourselves every single time we step out. And this is why we need style. Style: when it comes to the way we carry ourselves, hold our wine goblets when making small conversation with a complete stranger, or even when it comes to dealing with the boss, girlfriend, colleague, and, even when we travel.
What then is this sort of style? I’d like to call it etiquette (it's a French word pronounced et-e-ket). I believe it defines the person you are. The story dates back to the 15th Century when King Louis XIV held parties in his garden. The people would walk all over the manicured grass, pluck flowers and even throw stones at the ducks in the pond. The following year, the king had his men put up little signs about what the people could do and what they couldn’t. These little signs, in time, came to be known as etiquette. It is these rules that guide us when we have to manoeuvre new and different situations in everyday life and beyond.
Coming back to travel, the joys of travel are countless. We look forward to the holiday, seeing a loved one or meeting someone new, see a new place, try new cuisine. Our bags packed and we are ready to head off. Or are we? Have we packed our manners along? It's something that we most often forget. Maybe lack of space? Definitely not. Today, let me take you through the three basic courtesies for travel etiquette.
1. Put respect in the forefront: This is for the people we travel with, meet and those who serve us. Courtesy and respect for them at all times is the key.
2. Be reasonable with requests: This is a must, especially at hotels. Asking for a change of room is fine, but making a scene when a request cannot be fulfilled is not.
3. Don't leave your mark: Wherever you travel, within or outside the country, remember you are a guest. Etching your name in the hotel room or the elevator leaves a bad aftertaste and is definitely avoidable.
With these basic courtesies packed in your hand luggage, you are now holiday-ready. Next week, we will prepare for the trip, and make sure we pack all the appropriate things before we set off. Till then, stay stylish.
(A weekly column in which Sulakshana Badani will answer your queries related to etiquette. Write to her at staystylish24x7@gmail.com)
