We are all aware of the decline and the near absence of civility around us due to the lack of education and training in manners, etiquette and ethics in schools, families and communities. Also being rude, cheating, lying and not using your manners seem to be common in today?s modern world. However we can assure you being uncivil will not get you anywhere in today?s society.
Incidences of incivility across the globe are creating a serious challenge for our society and it impacts people from all walks of life, regardless of their religion, race or ranking.? We don?t have to live with these behaviours around us and need to become conscious with what?s happening.
Schools, corporations and individuals are screaming for help with civility. They are investing in image and etiquette consultants to get the civility back in our lives.
Professor P.M. Forni, co-founder of the Civility Project at Johns Hopkins University, explains it is all about kindness, consideration, sensitivity, caring, giving and nurturing others. It is a code of conduct based on the principles of the three ?R? principles and rules of conduct that guides us to behaviour, RESPECT, RESTRAINT, RESPONSIBILITY.
The rules, listed below, are outlined in his book Choosing Civility ? The Twenty Five Rules of Considerate Conduct (St. Martin?s Griffin, New York, 2002).
The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct
- Pay Attention
- Acknowledge Others
- Think the Best
- Listen
- Be Inclusive
- Speak Kindly
- Don?t Speak Ill
- Accept and Give Praise
- Respect Even a Subtle ?No?
- Respect Others? Opinions
- Mind Your Body
- Be Agreeable
- Keep it Down (Rediscover Silence)
- Respect Other People?s Time
- Respect Other People?s Space
- Apologize Earnestly
- Assert Yourself
- Avoid Personal Questions
- Care for Your Guests
- Be a Considerate Guest
- Think Twice Before Asking Favours
- Refrain from Idle Complaints
- Accept and Give Constructive Criticism
- Respect the Environment and Be Gentle to Animals
- Don?t Shift Responsibility and Blame
?Always remember even a simple thank you and PLEASE will put people at EASE around you? Ferial Youakim, AICI CIP
