My friend was recently telling me about a birthday dinner she was invited to. The chosen restaurant was a popular eatery that accepts bookings. As such, the birthday girl made a reservation for their … [Read more...]
Subtle Acts of Being Uncivil
When people think of the word “uncivil,” they generally imagine its most extreme form—belligerence, shouting, chaos, and blatant rudeness. But what we’re far more likely to encounter in our day-to-day … [Read more...]
Martin Luther King, Jr. & Civility
Today is the day when we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., and personally I think it couldn’t have come at a better time. Given the tragic events of the last couple of weeks, I think we all need a … [Read more...]
Avoiding Hot-Button Topics with Strangers
Over the holidays a friend of mine was flying home to see her family. It was a long flight, and the man next to her started chatting with her. They engaged in polite conversation for a while, and all … [Read more...]
Civility and “Bad” Gifts
We’ve all received the mall equivalent of coal in our stockings. Tacky knickknacks, music or books that don’t interest us at all, clothing that’s a size too big or completely unflattering… the list … [Read more...]