Do you want your next getaway to go as smoothly as possible?
These etiquette experts have you covered with the do’s and don’ts of your entire trip.
Sara Jane Ho – host of the Netflix series Mind Your Manners and author of a new book Mind Your Manners: An Insider’s Guide to Social Fluency – Diane Gottsman, founder of The Protocol School of Texas, and British Merlin of Manners William Hanson reveal the best travel practices to adopt, from the beginning of your trip to when you step into your hotel elevator and consider whether to greet those inside.
Along the way, advice is given on hot-button in-flight topics, such as how to decline a seat change request and how to deal with noisy children.
Is there anything you should avoid wearing on a flight?
Comfort and practicality come first when traveling, says Sara Jane Ho
According to Sara, there are some trends that are off-limits when it comes to traveling. The etiquette expert recommends staying away from white clothing, which can get dirty easily, as well as high heels.
Because?
She says: ‘Because comfort and practicality come first when it comes to travel. You don’t want to be staggering and running towards your door.
Is there an appropriate way to interact with cabin crew, train drivers or other transport staff?
Sara suggests keeping it simple when interacting with cabin crew
There is plenty of advice on how to interact with cabin crew and transport staff floating around the internet, but Sara suggests keeping it simple by “looking them straight in the eyes with a smile”.
To get their attention, suggest addressing them with, “Excuse me, madam or sir.”
Are there specific rules for the use of overhead bins and storage space on airplanes and trains?
Knowing where to put your belongings on a plane can be confusing for many passengers, especially when the overhead bins are already full of luggage.
According to Sara, the rules are simple: “first come, first served.” But, she says, “he tries to stay within your row.”
Etiquette guru Sara Jane Ho reveals her travel tips
Is it okay to reject someone’s request to change seats?
The seat-swapping debate continues: many passengers are certain they would never leave their assigned seat, and others are much more willing to move.
However, according to Sara, refusing a seat change request is perfectly acceptable. “You’re not obligated to switch seats with anyone,” she says.
Of course, he explains, this depends on the seat they want to move to. ‘If it is better, take it gladly. If it’s worse (like a middle seat), then you’re justified. [to decline].’
What is the best way to reject a request?
Sara advises politely ignoring him. “I paid a lot for this seat, thank you for understanding” is a good send-off, she says. “Anyway, no one knows exactly how much you paid.”
He adds: ‘Or you can say: ’32G is my lucky seat, I always have to fly in this seat, otherwise I get anxious.’
When it comes to airplane seating arrangements, Diane Gottsman, founder of The Texas Protocol Schooltold MailOnline Travel it’s best to plan.
If that’s not possible, he said: “When you ask a fellow traveler if they would mind changing seats, always expect the answer to be ‘no’ and be prepared to accept the answer gracefully. Smile and assure them you understand. Avoid show frustration that they won’t give up their seat – they may have paid an extra fee for extra legroom.’
How can passengers be considerate of others when they recline their seats on an airplane?
While the rules around reclining seats are the subject of intense debate online, Sara says the best way to do this is to “recline slowly.”
How should passengers deal with someone else’s noisy children?
Be prepared for rowdy young people on public transport. To calm them down, Sara advises starting with non-verbal communication.
Cacophonous children are almost a fact on public transportation.
To reassure them, Sara advises starting with non-verbal communication.
“Eye contact should be warning enough,” he says. “If it’s really getting out of hand, you can try to come across as giving advice.” [to the parent] out of the goodness of your heart. [With babies, for example] something like, “Poor baby, do you want to try changing his diaper?”
And for the parents?
Sara says, “Show that you’re apologetic and at least give the impression that you’re trying to calm them down.”
What should travelers keep in mind when using electronic devices in shared transportation spaces?
‘It is never okay to have your phone on speaker in public. Use headphones if you have the volume up,’ says Sara
When in the air or in the middle of a long train ride, passengers may want to relax by watching a movie or listening to music on their devices. But there is one thing you should keep in mind.
According to Sara: ‘It is never okay to have your phone on speaker in public. Use headphones if you have the volume on.
How should travelers handle situations where they experience delays or cancellations?
According to Sara: ‘There’s not much you can do except use the lost time as an opportunity to read a book, watch a show or make phone calls.’
What should travelers keep in mind regarding tipping etiquette?
Tipping is cultural, according to Sara, who advises checking the rules with the hotel concierge
According to Sara, tipping is cultural. The etiquette expert advises checking with the hotel concierge what the rules are before making assumptions.
As a general rule, etiquette expert William Hanson told MailOnline Travel to tip for good service and never be afraid not to tip for bad service.
He explained: ‘In many Western countries, especially the UK and Europe, tipping should only be given when the server has gone above and beyond. When tipping in cash in the UK, it’s a matter of giving an extra 10 per cent, but of course you can always tip more if you wish. If the service has been drastically below expectations, don’t be afraid to ask for any service charge imposed to be waived, but you will need to justify your reasoning to the manager.’
How should travelers be respectful of other hotel guests?
Once travelers arrive at their destination, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Sara suggests keeping your voice low in the hallway and greeting other guests in the elevator.
She suggests: ‘Say “good morning, afternoon or evening” immediately; The longer you wait, the harder it will be to interact. Remaining silent isn’t necessarily rude if you haven’t made eye contact.
Mind Your Manners by Sara: An Insider’s Guide to Social Fluency (Tile) will be released on April 11, 2024 and will be available on Amazon. For more from Sara visit her instagram profile.
Mind Your Manners by Sara: An Insider’s Guide to Social Fluency (Bluebird) is out April 11, 2024