On Being Civil

Hi Michael Jacobs - The best example of civility that stares us all right in the face are the comments on posts in ActiveRain.  Civility has a big dose of respect attached to it. The definition I looked up used the word formal politeness and courtesy.

I don't think it is indicative of formality. I just think that being civil is the right thing to do. 

It seems to me that people are definitely less civil than in the past, I see a lack of common respect that is missing.

Real Estate is always on my mind, and with it comes people...and how some other agents/buyers/and sellers, seem to have missed this class also!

This will be a timely topic for many months ahead.

I like your quote selections.

Hi Michael,

This is an evergreen subject!  Love the Leach quote:

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views.

It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives

                                                                               Jim Leach

Michael Jacobs - It's a shame that something as valuable as "Civics" would be removed from the student's curriculum at a time when students your age could have benefited greatly. I now feel lucky, that at my High School it was a mandatory class, just like Common Courtesy was in my Grade School. I can honestly say, those two courses built my foundation teaching me about moral consequences and choosing between right and wrong and how to treat others. It's a shame that it was cut from your HS curriculum. From what I can see, you turned out okay, but could those who followed long after you left HS been better served if civics and common courtesy was established and maintained until now?

As I look back and ponder on your what I read from your post today, being civil and having common courtesy never goes out of style and in my opinion can positively influence students and future leaders.   

Michael Jacobs - Those are two great quotes! I'm glad you found them and shared! 

Have a nice day. 

Lots to ponder here, Michael Jacobs.  It is a known fact by some that the more we value and love ourselves, the more we love and value others.  There is no
need to be rude and uncivil to others...no one gains by it; no one feels better after it is over. 

Michael, I do think it is getting worse.  Did you see on the news a 7 year old softball game where all the parents ended up in a brawl here in Denver.  Oh goodness!   They need that class! 

Michael, This is a great post on an important topic that should be taught to all children by their parents. But with the role models some children have, I have to wonder where we are headed in this regard. Diana

We have to first be the role models...then we can expect our children and their generation to practice civility also, Michael. It's so sad that we have become so insensitive to others but, it is certainly noticeable in every aspect of our lives.

One simple thing - I hold charity events at my home a couple of times each year. Every guest receives an invitation. About 1/2 of the recipients respond - whether or not they are coming, they do respond. The other 1/2 - about 1/2 of them NEVER respond and the last 1/4 of the invitees, just show up, never having responded! 

Of COURSE, I don't mind that they just show up - we always have more than enough food and drinks. I'm GLAD they are there; it's just a courtesy, in my opinion, tht should always be extended. It's a respect for others that seems to be missing these days.

Perhaps not political, but... that arena could certainly use some strong doses of civility.

Respecting other perspectives seems to be a foreign concept for far too many today.

Civil ...respectful ...is what we should always  see, feel ...be in this forum and in life...those who choose otherwise choose their own reputations.

The respect for other people's perspectives is what is getting lost every day in so many places.  Social media in particular has made it too easy to be a bully and "off with the heads" so to speak, of anyone who disagrees with you.

Something we seem to be lacking these days. I don't know what is wrong with people, but it is terrifying.

Maybe more smiles....if only it were that simple.