Civility Thought of the Day ~~ It's Rude to Exclude

Excluding others is inconsiderate and causes hurt feelings. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?
Then why do so many of us find ourselves whispering and carrying on private conversations to someone while in the presence of others when we know it's rude?

Now I'm not talking about the low volume that you speak in public to prevent your voice from being too loud. I'm talking about the low mummers spoken directly into someone's ear, usually while hiding your mouth so your lips can't be read.



It's Rude to Exclude

If you only think of teenagers doing this as they hang out with their friends, think again. Sadly, many adults are guilty of this as well, and because of it, and the fact that so many others indulge in this kind of behavior, it is often viewed as acceptable. But it's not.

Rude behavior is NEVER acceptable.

What if you're the person being left out? What would you think or feel?
You'd probably feel like the topic of the hushed conversation -- whether you were or not, right?

So don't dismiss another person by giving all your attention to someone else who is right there with you. If someone wants to talk, giggle or whisper to you with another person present,

Choose Respect Over Disrespect

 

Politely tell them that you choose not to be rude.

Hopefully, they'll take your lead and become more considerate, themselves.


Have you found yourself in this situation? If so, were you the whisperer? The person being whispered to? Or the one excluded completely? What did you do? Did your actions make you feel proud or ashamed?

~~Please share your thoughts in the comments section below~~

100 Days of Civility

The more we become technically- and social media-connected, the more disconnected we seem to get from the basic values of kind and considerate behavior.

In a recent study performed by the Public Agenda Research Group, nearly eight in 10 respondents agreed that lack of respect and courtesy is a serious national problem.

We at Image Design endeavor to combat this common trend of insensitivity, thoughtlessness, and plain rude behavior through our ongoing "Bliss Programs for Life" and "Let's Be Civil" campaign.

The goals of our campaign continue to be:

• To increase awareness of Civility in the workplace, home and community
• To bring developmental focus back to positive, traditional values
• To inspire and encourage the practice of respectful behavior in everyday life

This year we take our campaign a step further and present to you from now thru May 1, 2015

"100 Days of Civility"
 

Why May 1st?

Because May is International Civility Awareness Month and since our "Let's Be Civil" campaign is at the heart of kindness and civility, we offer a jump start by providing the community, families and individuals of all ages with information, games, stories and activities beginning now.

Make your plans to campaign with us and enjoy the fun of becoming an advocate of civility and kindness. 

Begin here by embracing...

 The Meaning of Civility

C      is for the CONFIDENCE I gain when I behave in respectful ways

And the way I’ll strive to be from now ‘til the end of my days

I         is for the IMAGE I work hard to polish and protect

To shine and sparkle whenever I treat others with respect

V      stands for core VALUES that serve as my relief

When I struggle over choices; they help me stick to my belief

I         is for INCLUSIVE – A broad respect for all mankind

That reminds us in life’s travels, to leave no one behind

L       is for LOVE of Environment that we show when we take care

                     Of our land, our Nation, each other; of our animals, our oceans and air

I        The last “I” is for IMMEDIATELY – which is when I plan to act

                     To help make this world much better and keep civility in tact

T       Urges us all to TURN our bad behaviors into good

And attempt to live responsibly; the way we know we should

Y       For this, I’ll just ask you: “Y-Not” take this time and pledge with me

To be a shining example, and a model of CIVILITY
                                                                Copyright 2015 by Image Design Consulting Co.

 

Campaigning for civility was inspired by Dr. P.M. Forni and the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) who, together in 2009, established International Civility Awareness Month as an activity on Chase's Calendar of Events.

 ~~~~~ Do you feel rude behavior is on the rise? ~~~~~
Please share your thoughts below.

Etiquette and the Powerful Role it has Played in Our History

Do you feel that soft skills just make people seem soft? Or that etiquette training makes a difference only to a select and privileged few?

Well, think again. The following proves the opposite and tells of how one lady's etiquette teachings brought about one of the first big steps toward racial acceptance in our country, right at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Read the article HERE

Earlier this week, the principle designers of the "Motown Sound" paid tribute to Ms. Maxine Powell, director of Motown's "Finishing School". 

Read about Ms. Powell HERE

In the late ‘50s and ‘60s, with decorum as her instrument, Ms. Powell armed her students – the young musical talents of Motown – with the tool of etiquette.

At a racially-tense period in our country’s history, Ms. Powell’s guidance elevated those talents by teaching them how to present themselves, how to treat people, how to dress respectfully and how to relate to people of all races. 

This empowered them to work at their crafts with confidence. They presented themselves in socially-acceptable ways and created positive impressions as a result. 

If only for the few minutes that a ‘45-record’ played, common, positive experiences existed in different cultures throughout the country.

New relationships were cultivated not only across various races, but across generations as well, perpetuating the idea that we are all the same under the skin; the basic principle of the Civil Rights Movement.  

With the help of etiquette, 'change' occurred, regardless of how small. Of course, it was not the sole cause of change, nor did it solve all the problems of the times, but the polish provided through Ms. Powell’s etiquette teachings definitely stirred up a positive beginning by bringing about small measures of unity through awareness.

As talented as they were, the individuals in groups such as the Temptations, the Miracles, The Jackson 5 and the Supremes would not have been viewed as competent, creative nor credible without the basic and continuous grooming that Ms. Powell provided.

 

So, if you still think that etiquette is a mere 'nicety' and nothing more; if you think it is an arena that only ‘rich’ people should be in...

Remember Maxine Powell and the power she wielded with her tools of etiquette.

Remember the success of those young people and the use of that power that granted them social acceptance by many who had previously shunned them.

Remember all this and arm your children with the same tools for success.

Now I'll ask you again if you think soft skills make people soft. Hopefully you see just how much power soft skills can bring. 

Etiquette is power.

It helped place a racially-divided nation on the same sheet of music...literally.

And if that's not power, I don't know what is.



Have you ever had any type of etiquette training? If so, what kind and when? 

Please post your comments below.