Here are some tips to help you with social skills you will see every day.
Following directions
1. Look at the person. - Looking at the person shows that you are paying
attention.
2. Say "Okay." - Saying "Okay" lets the person know you understand.
3. Do what you've been asked right away. - You are more likely to remember
exactly what you're supposedd to do if you do it right away.
4. Check back. - Checking back lets the person know that you have followed
the instruction.
Accepting "No" for an answer
1. Look at the person. - Looking at the person shows that you are paying
attention.
2. Say "Okay." - Saying "Okay" lets the person know you understand.
3. Stay calm. - Staying calm allows you to hear exactly what the other
person is saying.
4. If you disagree, ask later. - If you disagree right away, you will
appear to be arguing.
* Take some time to plan how you are going to approach the person who
told you "No."
* Plan in advance what you are going to say.
* Accept the answer, even if it is still "No."
* Be sure to thank the person for listening.
Talking with others
1. Look at the person. - Looking at the person shows that you are paying
attention and shows the person that you want to talk.
2. Use a pleasant voice. - People won't want to talk to someone who seems
unpleasant, angry or threating.
3. Ask questions. - Asking questions includes the other person in the
conversation.
4. Don't interrupt. - Interrupting shows you don't care what the other
person is saying.
Introducing yourself
1. Look at the person. Smile. - Looking at the person is one way of showing
that you really want to meet him or her.
2. Use a pleasant voice. - You will make a good impression if you appear to
be friendly.
3. Offer a greeting. Say "Hi, my name is..." - Saying "Hi" shows you are
friendly and makes the other person feel welcome.
4. Shake the person's hand. - Shaking hands is a traditional way of
greeting someone.
5. When you leave, say "It was nice to meet you." - Saying something nice
ends your conversation on a friendly note.
Accepting criticism or a consequence
1. Look at the person. - Looking at the person shows that you are paying
attention.
2. Say "Okay." - Saying "Okay" shows that you understand what the other
person is saying.
* Nodding your head also shows that you understand.
* Don't mumble.
* By nodding your head or saying "Okay" frequently throughout a long
conversation, you let the speaker know that you are still listening
carefully.
* Use a pleasant voice. Don't be sarcastic.
3. Don't argue. - Accepting criticism without arguing shows that you are
mature.
* Stay calm.
* Try to learn from what the person is saying so you can do a better job
next time.
* Remember that the person who is giving you criticism is only trying to
help.
* If you disagree, wait until later to discuss the matter.
Disagreeing appropriately
1. Look at the person. - Looking at the person shows you are paying
attention.
2. Use a pleasant voice. - The person is more likely to listen to you if
you use a pleasant voice.
3. Say "I understand how you feel." - Saying you understand gets the
conversation off to a positive start.
4. Tell why you feel differently. - Using specific words and reasons avoids
confustion and gets your point across.
5. Give a reason. - Your disagreement will carry more weight if you give a
valid reason.
6. Listen to the other person. - Listening shows you respect what the other
person has to say.
Showing respect
1. Stop negative behavior when asked. - When you stop a negative behavior
when asked to do so, you show that you can follow instructions. Being
able to follow instructions is one form of showing respect.
* By stopping your negative behavior, you may avoid getting into
trouble.
2. Refrain from teasing, threatening of making fun of others. - By
refraining from such behaviors, it shows you understand that teasing,
threatening, and making fun can be hurtful of others.
3. Allow others to have their privacy. - Sometimes people need or want to
be alone. You show respect by following their wishes.
* Always knock before entering someone's room or a room with a closed
door.
* Honor someone's desire to be left alone.
4. Obtain permission before using another person's property. - You have
certain possessions that are very important to you. You don't want
people using them without permission. When you ask permission to use
others' things, you show that same kind of respect.
* Always return items in the same condition as when you borrowed them.
* If you damage a borrowed item, offer to repair or replace it.
5. Do not damage or vandalize public property. - Vandalism and damaging
property are agains the law. Besides getting into trouble, you show
disrespect for your community and country when you vandalize public
property.
* Accidents do happen, but they should always be reported.
* Offer to replace or repair property you have damaged.
6. Refrain from conning or persuading others into breaking rules. - People
will think less of you if you are always trying to take advantage of
others or get them into trouble.
7. Avoid misbehaving in public. - You make a good impression with
people when you show that you know how to behave and use proper social
skills in public.
Showing sensitivity to others
1. Apologize or make amends for hurting someone's feelings or causing harm.
2. Recognize that people of different races, religions, and backgrounds
deserve to be treated the same way as you would expect to be treated.
