Hi, I’m Ethan. When I started my current job, I learned something quickly: in an office, you don’t only work—you also follow a lot of small rules. Some rules are written, and some are not, but they still matter. On my first day, my manager said, “You must wear your badge at all times.” That was clear. But there were other things I had to discover myself. For example, we have shared meeting rooms. You must book them before you use them, and you must leave the room clean. You can’t just walk in and take it if another team has reserved it. I didn’t know this, and once I almost interrupted a meeting. It was embarrassing, but it taught me a lesson. Another thing is communication. In my team, you should reply to messages within a reasonable time, even if it’s just “I’ll check and get back to you.” People don’t expect you to answer instantly, so you don’t have to be online every second. But you shouldn’t disappear for hours without warning, especially during work time. There are also unwritten rules about noise. You can talk, of course, but you shouldn’t speak loudly near people who are concentrating. If you need a long call, you should use a meeting room or a quiet area. And you definitely can’t play videos without headphones. That one is a big “no.” I also learned about timing. You must join meetings on time. If you are late, you should send a quick message. It sounds simple, but it shows respect. And if you don’t understand something, you should ask. You don’t have to pretend you know everything. In fact, it’s better to ask early than to make a bigger mistake later. Now I feel much more comfortable at work. I still make small mistakes sometimes, but I know the basics. Office etiquette is not about being perfect. It’s about helping everyone work together in a smooth way.

Hello, I’m Sofia. I work in a team where we have many online meetings. At first, I thought online meetings were easier than face-to-face meetings. But I learned that they have their own rules, and you should follow them if you want meetings to go well. One important rule is the microphone. When you are not speaking, you should keep your mic off. Background noise can be very distracting. You don’t have to be silent in your house, but people shouldn’t hear your keyboard, your TV, or your dog. If you need to speak, you can turn the mic on and then off again. It’s a small habit, but it makes a big difference. Another rule is the camera. In my company, you don’t have to turn on your camera all the time. But in small meetings, you should turn it on if possible. It helps people feel connected, and it also shows attention. Of course, there are moments when you can’t, and that’s okay. But you shouldn’t always hide, especially in important discussions. Also, you must be prepared. If the meeting has an agenda, you should read it before you join. You don’t have to know every detail, but you should understand the topic. If you are going to present something, you must test your screen sharing and your files. I learned this the hard way when my slides didn’t open, and everyone waited. It wasn’t a disaster, but it wasn’t professional either. Chat etiquette matters too. You can ask questions in the chat, but you shouldn’t write long messages while someone is speaking about something serious, because it can distract the group. If you disagree, you should be polite. You may say, “I see your point, but I think…” instead of sounding aggressive. Over time, I understood that these rules are not strict just to control people. They exist because they save time and reduce stress. When everyone follows basic meeting etiquette, communication becomes clearer and work becomes easier.

Hi, I’m Daniel. In my opinion, being a good colleague is not only about doing your tasks. It’s also about how you behave with other people. In every workplace, there are simple things you should do, and there are things you shouldn’t do. First, you should be reliable. If you promise something, you must do it or you must explain early if you can’t. People can accept changes, but they can’t work well with surprises. For example, if you can’t finish a task today, you should tell the team before the deadline, not after it. Second, you should respect other people’s time. Meetings are a good example. You must come on time, and you should be prepared. If a meeting is not necessary for you, you may ask if you can skip it. But you shouldn’t disappear without telling anyone. That can create confusion. Another important point is feedback. You should give feedback in a helpful way. You can say, “Maybe we can improve this,” or “What if we try another option?” You shouldn’t attack people personally. Also, you shouldn’t complain all the time. Of course, problems exist, but good colleagues look for solutions, not only reasons to be negative. Small habits also matter. In a shared space, you should keep things tidy. You don’t have to be perfect, but you must respect common areas. In an office kitchen, you shouldn’t leave dirty dishes for others. It sounds basic, but it affects team mood. Finally, you should remember that everyone has different styles. Some people talk a lot, some are quiet. You can’t expect everyone to be like you. But you can be kind, clear, and professional. For me, that’s the real goal: not to be “the best,” but to be easy to work with.