Students and teachers as well should dress with a proper modicum of professionalism. Most classrooms don't require a strict dress code, but many schools do impose standards for attire. In general, attire that is exceedingly sloppy, dirty and revealing is generally considered an indication of bad classroom etiquette. Such clothing can be distracting or disrespectful to others. Specifically, avoid wearing very short skirts or dresses, ripped or low-hanging jeans, and shirts with offensive or provocative writing. Many teachers and professors consider wearing hats in the classroom bad etiquette as well.
Academic discourse facilitates the free exchange of ideas, a process predicated on the maintenance of mutual respect among classmates and educators. When individuals in the classroom fail to address or engage each other politely, they commit poor etiquette. Disagreements should be voiced tactfully; insults or attacking speech is inappropriate. The classroom process often engages students and educators in lively discussion and debate, which can spark hostility, anger or rudeness. Diverse classroom environments may also bring together people of different backgrounds. Disparaging someone's point of view, ethnic background, race, gender or religion is highly offensive and the epitome of poor etiquette.
Non-verbal gestures and signals can be as rude as verbal ones. Poor non-verbal etiquette can include such actions as eye-rolling, exaggerated slouching, noisy fidgeting and failure to make eye contact when speaking. Tone of voice can also act as a non-verbal indication of bad etiquette; adopting a rude, arrogant or overly critical tone is inappropriate for the classroom.
Educators and peers can communicate their displeasure with poor etiquette by using strong eye contact, or they may address it more directly by speaking with the offenders in private before or after class. Enforce classroom conventions, such as requiring students to raise their hands before speaking. Address poor etiquette tactfully, but don't overreact or take it personally. Engage in "active listening," whereby you respond to an argumentative student by summarizing his viewpoint and inviting him to continue the discussion after class. Inject humor into the situation, which can deflect bad behavior. If bad etiquette among one or more students becomes a persistent problem and causes repeated disruption, another recourse is to appeal to administrators for possible disciplinary action against the offenders.