Debrett’s, the luxury lifestyle brand, has been a force to be reckoned with since 1769. Debrett’s Handbook, the company’s flagship publication, has become the defacto guide for professionals to navigate their way through the maze of British manners and etiquette.
The company has worked hard to keep up with the times. The Debrett’s Handbook featured guidance on text message and email etiquette for the first time in 2006, and following increasing numbers of enquiries about digital communication, the first edition of Debrett’s Netiquette was published in 2012.
Companies and individuals can also get help navigating the digital world through popular sessions at the company’s training academy. And a groundbreaking digital version of the Debrett’s Handbook is currently in production.
But the digital world is ever changing and for many new platforms the rules are not yet written.
The Memo spoke with Lucy Hume, Debrett’s Editorial and Production Manager to find out the future for etiquette in our fast-changing world.
Alex Wood: Do you believe the digital world to be more informal or less informed about etiquette?
Lucy Hume: Digital communication can feel more anonymous than face-to-face, telephone or even handwritten contact, so the usual formalities and courtesies can be neglected.
Similarly, the immediacy of contact now possible can mean messages are sent in haste or the heat of the moment – without due thought to their impact. At the same time, an etiquette unique to the digital realm has evolved, generating discussion on issues ranging from the best way to sign off an email to how to avoid oversharing online.
Many believe the internet is creating a global culture. What implications does that have for the British sense of formality and etiquette?
Debrett’s training is informed and inspired by other cultures as well as by British traditions, and our guidance on personal interactions, presentation and soft skills is not limited to a British sensibility – we work with clients from around the world.
Any platform that facilitates communication between different countries and cultures is good news as far as we’re concerned.
Will changes in grammar brought about by instant messaging be reflected in future editions?
Debrett’s Handbook does include the caveat that nuance may be missed or misinterpreted in any form of written correspondence, and that care should be taken to avoid seeming abrupt or rude.
We generally advise that formality is the safest option in a professional context, but our editors will no doubt be canvassing opinion as to whether to include advice on emoji usage in the next edition!
Read more: Passive-aggressive punctuation could get you in trouble
Is email an acceptable replacement for traditional postal invitations/greetings cards?
Email can be a time and cost-efficient alternative to postal correspondence, and may be particularly useful when asking guests to save the date for a wedding, for example.
Postal invitations are generally preferable, however – not only do they act as a special memento for guests, but they also help to give the occasion a real sense of importance. Similarly, handwritten thank you cards and correspondence show that time and care has been spent, and will make the recipient feel special and thought of.
What do you regard to be the most common etiquette faux-pas by digital-first millennials?
School-age students we work with often demonstrate a lack of awareness about their ‘digital footprint’ and the potential repercussions of information shared on social media when they are applying for universities and jobs. Similarly, new graduates entering the workplace for the first time may neglect the formalities expected in business correspondence, even if that takes the form of email.
Debrett’s is known for its print publications, are there plans to do more digital?
Yes! Debrett’s People of Today is already available in digital format, and a digital version of the Debrett’s Handbook is currently in production.
We also offer a virtual PA service, and are looking into delivering our training remotely via digital channels. The relatively recent phenomenon of video CVs is also covered by our training, which helps students and graduates perfect their pitches on-screen.
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