Published: May 5, 2010

May 10 marks the start of National Etiquette Week, and what better time for Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) students to practice good manners than during finals?  Here are a few suggestions on how to exercise good etiquette all week long!

1. Tone down your PDA.

We get it, you’ve found love and you can’t resist flaunting it (but please do). Don’t suck face in the elevator or on the escalator, as these two places leave grossed-out onlookers no means of escaping your slurping noises.  Do not play tonsil hockey in the caf—we’re all trying to keep our food down, which is hard enough to do without watching you two go at it. Acceptable PDA gestures include hand holding, hugging and a kiss hello or goodbye that lasts no longer than two seconds. Please and thank you.

2. Don’t talk loudly about the final while sitting in the room minutes before.

You will send someone into a full-blown panic attack by reciting out loud everything you have studied.  Don’t ask the person next to you to explain some complex theory right before the test is handed out.  Don’t arrive at the classroom half an hour early and loudly talk about everything you have been studying—no one cares.  So please, keep it to yourself.

3. If you can’t find your ID, step aside and look for it.

If you are constantly losing your Fordham ID, and are therefore forcing people to walk around you while you fumble through your bag, your pockets or your man purse to find it, you are not practicing good etiquette.  Please, step to the side to continue your treasure hunt.  Thank you.

4. Be the person who gets off the elevator.

Be the hero, the brave soul who steps off the jam-packed elevator, allowing everyone else on it to get to class on time.  We’re not asking you to do it all the time, but for the sake of etiquette week, would you please consider doing it just this once?

5. Pay Luz in Exact Change.

We know that at some point this year you’ve handed her a 20 dollar bill to pay for that two-dollar granola bar, or worse, you’ve held up the line by charging it to your credit card.  Show all the cafeteria cashiers your manners by being prepared with small bills and even exact change to make their lives and your life easier. You’re welcome.