A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN (People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service) ISSN 1394-5726

Online Publisher:          Contents provided by:	Message from Editor-in-chief Datu Wilson Baya Dandot Deputy State Secretary for Planning & Development Etiquette and Refined Behaviour in the Civil Service - Lest We Take Them for Granted Etiquette and refined behaviour is given a special focus in our editorial this month. We consider it important to revisit this thematic subject in view of its significance in the conduct of the public service. Etiquette goes beyond dressing and eating in the right manner. It entails treating super ordinates, subordinates and our peers with sensitivity, consideration and panache. Etiquette is also beyond the do's and don'ts in social interaction. Essentially, it can be viewed as an exercise to test one's personality. This is sometimes referred to as the personal development and emotional intelligence dimension of etiquette. Refined behaviour is the outcome of self-discovery of one's inner traits and values. An individual who cannot come to terms with this behavioural test is said to have an attitude problem. Thus, etiquette involves the refinement of social conduct and interaction be it in the workplace, attending public functions or at informal gathering. in the workplace, an officer is expected to come to meetings on time, be well-prepared and to represent his organisation to the best of his ability. lame excuses such as "I've just been told to attend this meeting" can be construed as insulting. The choice of words during meetings can reflect the officer's finesse, dignity and temperament. Likewise, similar standards are expected of officers who are being invited to attend public functions. Officers should be mindful of the norms such as not to leave the function before the host or guest of honour. Imagine how embarrassing it is to find empty tables and chairs even before the function is officially over. Official dinners are not only about menus and number of courses being served but the mere presence of the officer signifies his mindfulness to honour the occasion itself. Furthermore, such dinners can be positively viewed as an opportunity to mix and mingle, enhance social connectivity as well as building relationships. Observing the dress code for functions is also part and parcel of etiquette. Again it would be embarrassing if one is not properly dressed for the occasion - for example being 'under-dressed' or 'overly-dressed" Dressing for the occasion is indeed testing one's discipline. Here of course, one has to appreciate the distinction between decorum and casualness. Though casualness is tolerated in informal gathering, the main thing about social etiquette is that a person should always make the people around him feel comfortable and always be sensitive to the social environment he is in. Once he is able to relate to his colleagues, bosses and underlings then he is on his way to become a cultured officer which is the pride of the civil service. The Sarawak Civil Service maintains a high decorum as far as public functions are concerned. There may be those who argue that official ceremonies are nothing but pomp and splendour that characterise a Westminister style of government. However, what is certain is that such etiquette has to be sustained by all of us because it has proven to sharpen our discipline and make us better persons by discovering our own behavioural strengths and weaknesses.
	Main Page | Archives: 2007: December 2007 | November 2007 | October 2007 | September 2007 | August 2007 | July 2007 | June 2007 | May 2007 | April 2007 | March 2007 | February 2007 | January 2007 2006: September 2006 - November 2006 | June 2006 - August 2006 | May 2006 | April 2006 | March 2006 | February 2006 | January 2006 2005: December 2005 | November 2005 | October 2005 | September 2005 | August 2005 | July 2005 | June 2005 | May 2005 | April 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005 | January 2005 2004: December 2004 | Sept 2004 - Nov 2004 | June 2004 - August 2004 | May 2004 | April 2004 | March 2004 | February 2004 | January 2004 2003: December 2003 | November 2003 | October 2003 | September 2003 | August 2003 | July 2003 | June 2003 | May 2003 | April 2003 | March 2003 | February 2003 | January 2003 2002: December 2002 | November 2002 | October 2002 | September 2002 | August 2002 | July 2002 | June 2002 | May 2002 | April 2002 | March 2002 | February 2002 | January 2002 2001: December 2001 | November 2001 | October 2001 | September 2001 | August 2001 | July 2001 | June 2001 | May 2001 | April 2001 | March 2001 | February 2001 | January 2001 2000: December 2000 | November 2000 | October 2000 | September 2000 | August 2000 | July 2000 | June 2000 | May 2000 | April 2000 | March 2000 | February 2000 | January 2000 1999: December 1999 | November 1999 | October 1999 | September 1999 | August 1999 | July 1999 | June 1999 | May 1999 | April 1999 | March 1999 | February 1999 | January 1999 1998: December 1998 | November 1998 | October 1998 | September 1998 | August 1998 | July 1998 | June 1998 | May 1998 | April 1998 | March 1998 | February 1998 | January 1998