Tibaldo: Etiquettes and protocols — boon or bane?

FOR one who has taught in college since the time when internet is yet to dictate and define what is meant by global interconnectivity through computers and digital gadgets, I can say that the screeching sound of chalks in blackboards has become part of my academic life.

I often notice that wearing dark pants in class has its down sides as white chalk dusts often leave marks on my trousers as I write on the board.

Over the years that I worked as media specialist and handled various advocacy programs, I got to learn few diplomatic practices which basically falls under the respects of etiquette and protocol.

As a former shoe shine boy, I kept in mind what I learned from a former stewardess who said that “you are one step ahead if your shoes are shined and the others are not.”

I learned how to properly wear a neck tie with that Windsor knot or five-way-turn step back in high school and I can readily tell when a tie is improperly worn by people. I noticed, however, that more and more people are using the simple knot and I often find it awkward if men who are wearing it have their shirt untucked.

During my six-month stay in Japan as a scholar for a short course on television production, I noticed how protocol is properly observed complete with letters and all those formalities. Aside from the usual bowing and exchanges of business cards, it is implied that one has to be prompt and on the dot and especially during appointments which is usually not the case with our local media.

As my wife prepares to travel for a weekend speaking engagement in Central Luzon, I asked what she will wear as her listeners accordingly are from the academic sector. Fearing that she might be swayed with the fad and trend of wearing tattered denims as she did in several occasions, I cautioned her from doing so as she might not be taken seriously by her crowd. Learning that her fellow lecturer is a seasoned personality of public relations, my wife obliged herself to go smart casual.

In my social media account, I suggested a discussion pertaining to etiquettes and protocol and posed a question...Can a conference speaker or lecturer appear credible and command a good discussion if he/she appears in tattered denims?

As of this writing, I have received twenty-two comments which may fill up my Tuesday column once I include all.

Comments and statements vary from yes and no depending on the situation and type of audiences. Chuck Leung, my former mentor says that in formal gatherings, one can come in proper dress and it is also okay to wear loafers in casual occasions. He, however, said no to tattered clothes completely as it could be distractive of the topics discussed.

In a different view, Ado Nai Rizalde commented saying “In a generation where we celebrate individuality, why would his/her outfit be the reference of how credible he/she is in the field where he/she excels. Let say this person wants to express who they truly are but are dictated by social norms be who they aren't. Are we not giving them room to fully express who they are?

I think only traditional and conservatives would react that the person should have stick to protocol. And in the first place does the person(s) outside appearance degrade the credibility of his/her work? Does it not show that if we call out how this person looks it just means we have easily judged them?

Rizalde went on with more questions pointing out the case of the PUP Physics Professor who suffered discrimination because of his bearded appearance that can easily associated with that of a homeless person.

Roderick Sibelius and Era Reina Marie Cubangayit reacted noting that it doesn't matter to them as long as the speaker is of good order, clean, perfect personal hygiene and a SAGE on the subject matter and knows what he/she is saying with sincere connection with the listeners. Sibelius defines SAGE as a profoundly wise person or one venerated for the possession of wisdom, judgment, and experience.

Midway during our exchange of notes, I was reminded of the late Steve Jobs, a self-confessed minimalist who manages to captivate his listeners as he speaks with his simple getup, unshaven and without socks. I also remember hearing people say that appearance matters especially to those in the field of marketing and public relations.

In my case, the artists in me says it is okay to dress up the way you are because you are a painter, a sculptor and occasional carpenter. The office working public servant in me however tells me to obey the protocols of the office like wearing barong uniforms from Monday to Thursday and casual wear on Fridays.

Is etiquette and protocol still relevant nowadays? At times, I toy with the idea of doing the unexpected like wearing a clown suit when invited to a formal meeting and safari getup when attending a party. With the way things are evolving nowadays, I try to adopt to new ways but I still prefer wearing cozy getups on weekends like flip-flops, shorts pants and T-shirts when I am not in my safari outfit.

According to Paul Adrian Raicu, the term Etiquette is derived from the French language and is defined as the customary code of polite behavior or the contemporary conventions, forms, manners, rules, or ceremonies governing social behavior. Protocol on the other hand is like etiquette but more applicable in public relation, diplomacy and affairs of the state that constitutes certain codes of behavior, ceremonial forms and courtesies.

With millennials increasingly dictating trends in almost all societal engagements, I comfort myself for not having to earn extra by teaching and sounding students from keeping their smartphones away from their sights. I surmise that if I were to give communication students an assignment nowadays and ask each of them to discuss and site examples of violation of the code of ethics, I probably will be hearing similar scenarios that they surfed from their smart phones.

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