18 Things People With Good Social Skills Never Do

If you want to know the golden rule of good social skills, here it is summed up in one clear expression that I've held onto since I first heard it many years ago:

It doesn't matter what you do or say, what matters is how people feel about you when you leave the room.

That's it. If you want to be thought of as a good listener, then listen and don't interrupt. If you want to be seen as charitable, then offer at least one charitable contribution every time you interact with someone — even if it's a compliment. Remember, having good social skills doesn't mean that you impress people with your intelligence or your great sense of humor, or your good looks. It means they like you. (See also: 10 Rules of Etiquette Everyone Should Know)

So here are some things folks with great social skills never do — or, to be honest, almost never ever do.

1. Never Let a Good Deed Go Unpaid

When someone does you a favor, return with a favor someday. It may even be better to wait a little while, so the person knows you've been waiting for the perfect way to repay them. (This includes always show up with a gift. That way you're repaying someone for their hospitality right away.)

2. Never Forget a Name

Well, never is pretty tough, but people with great social skills are enormously gifted at remembering names. It may be no fault of your own that you are forgetful, but if that's the case try developing a trick or two for helping remember names. What I do is on the ride home, I try to remember all the names from the event or gathering.

3. Never Interrupt

Never interrupt, unless it's a necessity. What you have to say is not unimportant, but it is rarely life or death for you to say it. Remember: It's not what you do or say, it's how they feel about you when you leave the room.

4. Never Forget to Check-In and Out

A host or hostess is in charge of safety, at least on some level. If you go to Yankee Stadium, you don't have to drop in on the security office and check-in and out, but in visits to a pool party on up to a school event you should make sure the head of the event (the principal's office, for example, or your host) knows you are there and when you are leaving.

Plus, how would you like it if your guests came and went without saying "Hi" and "Bye"?

5. Never Let Your Appearance Go

This doesn't mean go around in a formal dress, but shave, comb hair, brush teeth, smell nice, clean clothes. Maintain good hygiene even on trips to the liquor store. (Especially in trips to the liquor store.)

6. Never Raise Your Voice

Again, never is a long time, but people with good social skills err on the side of talking quietly, rather than talking loudly.

7. Never Get Too Excited or Angry

Once you get out of college, the days of war paint at football games and other forms of public hysteria are over. Time to settle down, big guy.

8. Never Let Yourself Get Walked On

Having good social skills does not mean being a polite patsy. When it's time to stand up for yourself, do so.

9. Never Swear in Front of People Not Your Age

This comes from Ernest Hemingway (oddly enough). If you swear in front of children, that's not so good. If you swear in front of your parents and other older folks, it's disrespectful. Keep your swearing in your own age group and then be sparing.

10. Never Be a Party Pooper

Safety is one thing, but if everyone is having fun and that's just not you at the moment, then walk away and have your downtime somewhere else. Don't stick around and ruin everyone's good time.

11. Never Leave Someone Out

People with good social skills know to include everyone in the room and introduce themselves to even the quiet ones pressed against the wall or looking left out.

12. Never Blurt Out Something Hurtful

Some information just isn't necessary. "I never liked you," is a good example. Keep those toady items to yourself or share them with the discrete company later — or better, never share them at all.

13. Never Fight Immaturely

People fight sometimes, but people with good social skills keep disagreements on a mature level. They discuss behaviors that can change. It's fair to say, "I want you to get here on time," but it's not fair to say, "You're late because you're stupid and lazy."

14. Never Laugh at Others' Expense

A classic example is someone accidentally drops a tray in the cafeteria. How many people point and guffaw? How many snicker? How many just sit there?

And how many go over and help?

15. Never Get Caught Without a Clean Joke

Knock-knock.

Who's there.

Interrupting cow.

Interrupting c--

MOOOO!

Always keep a clean joke handy, just in case there are kids around.

16. Never Upset the Apple Cart

If it's a serious occasion, joking around would be the way to upset the apple cart. If it's a casual, fun gathering, morosely discussing your stock portfolio would be considered inappropriate.

17. Never Ignore People

The rule of thumb is explained in "I'm OK, You're OK," the book by Thomas Anthony Harris that launched a transactional analysis in 1967. One transaction, for example, would be a stranger nodding hello as you pass them on the sidewalk. If you don't nod or smile in return, they feel they have come up short in the social transaction. They feel slighted. Don't slight them by ignoring them.

18. Never Get Caught Without an Ice-Breaker

This doesn't mean you always have to break the ice. It means that other people sometimes need a friendly hello for whatever reason. Be ready with a question, comment, or quip — hopefully, one that will give the other person a chance to respond.

Anything I've missed? What social skills do you think are important? Please share in the comments!

Source:18 Things With Good Social Skills Never Do