Coco Chanel said it best when she said, “A woman should be two things – classy and fabulous.” While she was most likely talking about style choices, it’s undeniable that even a woman wearing the chicest outfit can lose her classy (and fabulous) status with bad manners. While proper etiquette may seem old fashioned, I think that it reflects self-respect, respect for others and general fabulousness. In a time when proper manners seem to be going extinct, here are 5 etiquette rules to adopt that will make you stand out for all the right reasons.

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Don’t be a potty mouth – Yes, there are times when nothing will quite do the job like a good swear word, but if swearing is a regular thing for you, you may want to be little more mindful about it. Truth is, not everyone appreciates it like you do and most people probably find it offending. Swearing is not polite or lady-like in most situations, so make it a point to break this bad habit.

Be reliable and keep your promises – Be the person that people can trust. When you give your word to someone, mean it. You’ll feel good about it and others will to knowing that they can trust you.

Make a great first impression – You only have one chance to make a first impression, so do what you can to make it a good one. A good handshake, a beautiful smile and a positive attitude are all things that will put you in others’s good graces. Lead with a bad impression and you may spend a lifetime trying to change it.

Disconnect at the right times – There’s nothing worse than going out for dinner with a friend who can’t keep her hands off her phone. Sure there are exceptions to this rule, but unless it’s a life or death situation, turn your ringer off and keep your phone in your bag. Your friend will appreciate the attention, after all, that’s why you made plans with her, right? If you are expecting a call, just let your friend know the situation.

Dress appropriately – Ok, so you just got a new crop top that you are dying to wear. But maybe your job interview isn’t the best time to show it off. Take the time to plan your outfits ahead of time to make sure that you are always appropriately dressed for the situation. Not sure what the dress code is? Then overdress. I think that you can never be too dressed up. Once you have your perfect outfit, take an extra few minutes to iron or steam your clothes. There’s nothing worse than a stylish outfit ruined by wrinkles.

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What are your best etiquette tips for being a lady?