Here are some great tips on how to be more polite:
1. Seek first to understand. If you know the other person’s frame of reference, you can speak to him/her within it.
2. Pay attention to how your words are landing. If your companion’s response looks off the mark for what you said, check out what he/she is hearing....
3. Switch from problem to solution as quickly as possible. Focus on the problem only long enough to understand it—then move your attention to finding a solution that would work for everyone, rather than who’s right or wrong.
4. Separate emotion from solution. If one or both of you are upset, irrational or reactive, you aren’t communicating. Take a break and try again in a few minutes, when both of you have calmed down.
5. Don’t beat dead horses. If you’ve been over the same ground several times with no forward movement, get some help. An objective third party can work wonders.
6. Be nice. Strive to create a cooperative atmosphere, and consider the other person’s feelings.
7. Remember, “what goes around, comes around” and consider how you’d like to be treated before reacting to someone else.
I believe in respect for one another but I think politeness is for old ladies. Confidence will keep you from fearing what others can say or do to you. I would only suggest that people be bold, say what you mean and mean what you say. You have to crack a few eggs if you want to make an omelet.. :) Save politeness for when holding doors or saying excuse me in passing.
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