Hi!
I guess I am an accumulation of such sentimental habits:
* All my dwarves get jobs that fit their personalities - unless all my initial seven have similar personality types (I just started a fortress and couldn't find a real volunteer for butcher as they were all too nice).
* I do not kill off my own dwarves or cats. If I have a wounded dwarf, I will do my best to save her/him, even creating special quarters outside and whatnot. If I have a cat that will never heal, if possible, I will sell her off. I try to see that mandates do not end with serious physical punishment.
* All traders get fair deals with me. Be they elves, humans, or dwarves, I will look through their wares and purchase that which fits my needs nicest, if need be even going just for a barrel of clothes (although the elves usually bring some food stuff or drink I can use). Accordingly, I also try to give traders the things they want and try to stay clean with the things elves don't like. (Making mistakes with hidden ornaments are probably the most annoying moments in my game experience)
* Traps are the way to go. Why should I risk getting my loyal dwarves injured by some nasty siegers? Rows of weapon traps are the best friends your fortress can have.
* Permanent workshops (once the fortress is running) always get complete engraving of all walls and floors and will use a stone block rather than a simple stone.
* I try to keep the dwarves from getting cave adaption. Feeling sick isn't fun.
* I never settle near rivers or other extremely dangerous spots (okay, I tried it in the past, but the carp convinced me not to do so again).
* When doing individual rooms (usually for nobles), I try to use their favorite materials for doors and furniture.
* Designing meeting areas and so on, I try to make things look nice, placing tables, chairs and statues so that it makes sense to me.
* I don't use those space saving tricks, you know, having diagonal rooms or having non-blocking furniture fill all free squares.
I have to admit that clothes are currently too much of a hazzle (with all the owned socks lying in the corridors really frustrates me).
Deathworks