Category: Civility

Home for the Holidays

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Be a Good Guest at Home

Mother Teresa said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”   There is something to be said for that philosophy; when families are strong, loving and supportive it helps its members individually to be so, as well.  That promotes a well-being that can spread kindness and consideration to all with whom one comes into touch, and eventually throughout the world.  That philosophy is the cornerstone of etiquette.  To come full circle with that thought today, such kindness and consideration for others should be the basis of one’s visit home for the holidays.

Pixabay

Holiday Shopping

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12 Steps to Shopping Civility

Generally speaking, everyone is both a buyer and a seller at various times.  We are all consumers of goods and services, and many of us also sell goods and services as part of our jobs.  Thus, everyone must be sure that his or her manners are in good working order in both roles. 

Certainly as a buyer, you are correct to assume that the products and services you purchase will be as advertised and come with no unpleasant surprises.  You also should anticipate customer service to be courteous, prompt and helpful and for any questions problems to be resolved swiftly and pleasantly. 

As a seller of products and services, you should expect that sometimes there will be problems that result in complaints from customers.  Naturally, this can be disconcerting; especially when the customer is upset and you had nothing to do with the problem but are merely representing your retail store or company. 

Storm Etiquette

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How Civility Can Calm Troubled Waters

 Hurricane Sandy taught us, once again, that we Earth beings of all species have little defense against the forces of nature when they turn against us.  All along the Eastern Seaboard, Hurricane / Cyclone / Storm Sandy wreaked horrific destruction and death the weekend before Halloween.  This followed a tsunami in the Pacific and an earthquake in Los Angeles.

But, Superstorm Sandy left the most damage in her wake.  Some lost their loved ones and many more suffered damage to their homes and possessions or lost them altogether, and thousands more lost power and many are still coping with, extended outages.  And, now to add to the agony are long gas lines and a temporary gas shortage due to a delay in ships being allowed to enter New York Harbor.

Your Internet Presence – Part 9: Big Brother

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BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING…ONLINE

Unlike the character in George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, the Big Brother of 2012 tends to incorporate itself into the fabric of our everyday lives, making us comfortable with wearing it and, like a well-worn pair of shoes that fit us so well, we take its presence for granted and often aren’t consciously aware of it.  But, like the omnicient overseer of the science-fiction narrative, our modern-day Big Brother is enigmatic and constantly present in our lives through our presence on the Internet.

Your Internet Presence – Part 8: Facebook Politics

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Politics Schmolitics

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.
~Thomas Jefferson

One major pitfall of online social networking occurs when voicing one’s opinion on a hot topic.  It’s bad enough when you read many of the viewpoints by strangers who post comments online on The Huffington Post, Yahoo! and Google, especially those that contain profanity, hurl insults and are short on facts.

But what happens when you read differing political beliefs by your friends on your Facebook page?

Your Internet Presence – Part 6: Technical Vs. Social Skills

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Technical versus Social Skills 

To maintain your good, or positive, online presence, it’s necessary to balance your technical talent with your social expertise.  You need both to demonstrate your online prowess.

Dictionary.com defines these two skills, as follows:

Social:

  1. Seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious
  2. Living or disposed to live in companionship with others or in a community, rather than in isolation

Technical:

  1. Belonging or pertaining to an art, science, or the like
  2. Skilled in or familiar in a practical way with a particular art, trade, etc…

Summer Vacation Etiquette – Part 8: Airline Travel

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Airline Travel Etiquette

Although airline travel has become increasingly complicated and challenging, it is also increaslingly popular  this summer and flights are crowded.  You can expect delays due to weather, equipment issues, flights backed up and other conditions. 

The formula to make your air travel as pleasant and efficient as possible is: preparation + good manners = successful air travel.  The following tips will help your travel to be safe and enjoyable:

Vacation Etiquette – Part 7: Cycling

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Bicycle Etiquette

Whether you travel by bicycle for recreation, such as touring or mountain biking, or you use your bicycle to get to or do your work, there are the rules of the road and the rules of etiquette to follow.

The important fact to remember when you are bicycling on the highway, trail or city street, is that you are on one of the most vulnerable vehicles on the road.  But, it’s not just other vehicles with which you must contend; expect to encounter pedestrians (including children, people pushing strollers, disabled and elderly people), dogs, deer, horses, other bicyclists, etc.  Many motorists resent bicyclists on the road because they are afraid they are going to hit a bicyclist; many pedestrians resent bicyclists on the trail and city streets because they fear the bicyclist will run into them.  Bicyclists have been known to flout the law by speeding, running red lights, disregarding pedestrians, failing to signal properly, riding erratically or in a driver’s blind spot.  Bicyclists are frequently viewed as nuisances on the road, trail or in the city.   

Summer Vacation Etiquette – Part 2: The Queue

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Lining Up With Etiquette

Historical sites, natural wonders and theme parks are popular vacation destinations.  Such vacations often include standing in long lines – or queues as they’re called in some regions – or waiting along crowded parade routes.  Few people enjoy them, but lines are a reality of the vacation experience, whether you’re waiting for admission to an attraction, ride, exhibit or restaurant table.  Depending on where you are while waiting in line, you could strike up some interesting conversations and learn something about the place you’re visiting, or have some visiting time with your friends and family members. 

Following are some guidelines to make standing in line – or lining up -- more tolerable and pleasant for everyone: