We were delighted to be asked by gin makers Hendrick's to oversee passenger etiquette on board the good bus HERBERT (Hendrick’s Extraordinary Roving Bus of Exceptionally Refined Travel). Watch the video below for our advice on making your journey to work that little bit more pleasant:

DEBRETT'S TEN GOLDEN RULES FOR COMMUTERS:

1. Fast Food Fasting

Crowded transport can make even the sturdiest of us feel delicate at times, so try not to compound the problem by tucking into a smelly snack. Not everyone will share your enthusiasm for a double bacon burger with chips.

2. PDA Prevention

Even making eye contact is considered forward on public transport, and full-on displays of affection can make others uncomfortable. If you’re travelling with a loved one, keep the canoodling for somewhere more private.

3. Beware Bulky Bags

Lugging large bags onto an already crowded carriage won’t make you popular with other commuters. Remove backpacks to free up space, and don’t monopolise an adjacent seat with your handbag or jacket – and especially not your feet.

4. Spoiler Alert

Avoid loud phone conversations on a quiet bus or train: others may not appreciate overhearing the intimate details of your recent night out, or worse, a Game of Thrones plot spoiler.

5. Me, My Selfie and I

You haven’t really travelled by Tube unless you’ve got a selfie to prove it, but try not to turn innocent bystanders into unwitting photo bombers by capturing them in the background.

6. Don’t be a Space Invader

Personal space is at a premium on public transport. Refrain from (wo)man-spreading by keeping your legs together, and keep your elbows tucked in when reading a newspaper.

7. If in Doubt, Stand

You may be reluctant to offer up your seat to someone who looks pregnant, elderly or infirm in case they prove to be none of those things. If you notice a walking stick or Baby on Board badge, or anyone resembling your grandmother, make eye contact and move to free up your seat in case they want to use it.

8. For Your Ears Only

Whether it’s Bieber, Beyoncé or Bon Jovi, don’t assume others will share your taste in music. Wear headphones and keep the volume to below leaking level, and be wary of inadvertent humming.

9. Don’t Door Dive

There’s nothing quite so tempting as diving between closing doors as the warning beeps sound, but it’s better to wait for the next train than to crush yourself into the fray. You’ll also avoid the humiliation of getting trapped in the doors – and the disapproving glares from other passengers.

10. Grooming Guidelines

A quick touch-up of mascara or lipstick is acceptable, but refrain from full-on facial transformation. Some forms of grooming should remain firmly in the confines of your own home, including tweezing, squeezing and, for men, shaving or nose-hair trimming.

As Rio de Janeiro prepares to host the world’s best athletes at the 2016 Olympic Games, spectators, tourists and business professionals are excitedly packing their bags, checking their tickets and getting ready to descend on one of the world’s most beautiful countries. Like most of South America, Brazil enjoys incredible scenery and landscapes, from the long, sprawling beaches of Copacabana to its rugged mountain ranges.

Olympics fans lucky enough to be heading to Brazil to support their team can enjoy Rio's rich culture and traditions to the full with a few simple etiquette tips:

General greeting and conversation:

Much of Brazil’s social etiquette is based on a strong level of trust and sense of family. Families tend to be quite large and very close, especially the extended family. Unlike some other countries and cultures, the practice of favouring relatives or friends suggests that trust is the main focus and of primary importance.

Meeting and Greeting:

When meeting someone for the first time in Brazil, the greeting depends on how well you know the person.

• Men tend to shake hands firmly upon meeting, maintaining steady eye contact to demonstrate confidence and reassurance. It is normal for women to kiss on the cheek, starting with the left and moving to the right.
• Between friends, hugging and backslapping is common.
• If you're meeting new contacts for work, business cards should be printed in both English and Portuguese if possible. Cards should then be presented to colleagues with the Portuguese side facing upwards.

Conversations:

Conversation and communication across Brazil is usually relaxed and quite informal.

• It is common for locals to stand close together while in conversation, even a man and a woman. Don’t mistake this for behaviour that's flirtatious or inappropriate.
• Unlike in the UK, it is not considered rude to interrupt someone during a conversation or business pitch. As trust is a major factor in Brazil, individuals want to know more about something or someone, so conversational tone can be quite direct. When speaking, particularly about business matters, expect questions and don't mistake this for somebody being nosy.

Invitations and gift-giving:

Whether you’re visiting Brazil as a tourist or for business, you may be invited to an event or party. Although gift-giving in Brazil is not as ritualistic as for some Eastern cultures, there is still an level of etiquette that those being hosted should observe.

Punctuality:

Unlike in the UK, punctuality is not strictly adhered to in social situations in Brazil.

• It is usual for guests to arrive up to 30 minutes late when invited for dinner.
• If the invitation is for a party or large gathering, an hour’s lateness is not uncommon.

Dress Codes:

If a dress code is not stated on the invitation, it is always better to err on the side of formality than under-dressing. Although Brazilians tend to dress casually, they will do so with elegance and with flair, and judgment is often passed on others’ appearance. Visitors, therefore, should take note and dress accordingly.

Giving gifts:

If invited to a social occasion, you should present the hostess with a small gift, usually flowers.

• For lunch invitations, beverages are a very common gift and a bottle of soda or juice will be appreciated. Even a bottle of cachaça, Brazil’s most popular alcoholic sprit and known locally as pinga, will help your host make a Caipirinha – the country’s national cocktail. You can also show your appreciation for the invitation by bringing a dessert such as a mousse or an ice cream, which work well because of Brazil’s very hot weather.
• Although savoury dishes are also appropriate, you should avoid those that are hot or may need to be reheated in the host’s house. A cold dish, such as a salad, is a safe alternative.
• Guests should avoid any gifts in black or purple as these are mourning colours. Likewise, handkerchiefs are associated with funerals so should be avoided.
• Be advised that gifts are opened upon receipt and if you did not bring a gift for the host, it is usually appropriate and appreciated to send flowers the next day.

James Brookes, illustrations by Wing Po

In our latest advice column for City AM, the Debrett’s Office Politics Expert advises a reader on how to engage in a debate when you find yourself in the minority.

Q: When discussing certain topics with my colleagues I often find that I’m the odd person out. While I’ve tried to stay away from debating the usual hot topics such as politics or religion, the recent referendum and its consequences mean I’d have to play deaf, dumb and mute to dispel an office ambush. Should I speak up for myself, or keep the peace by staying quiet?

Recent events have brought the topic of politics into water cooler conversations around the country. In the wake of the EU referendum, many of us feel the need to express our surprise and to discuss the professional and personal ramifications it may have.

The vote will have a direct impact on many businesses, meaning that it’s a subject for discussion in the boardroom too, affecting strategy and HR, and even potentially leading to restructuring or relocation. The traditional advice, therefore – that politics is a conversation topic best avoided – hardly applies. Read more...