Tuesday, September 15, 2009

My Next Read - Choosing Civility

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"To live a long, healthy and serene life we need the crucial help of a network of caring people – we need social support. In order to gain and keep social support we need social skills. Choosing Civility (the 25 rules of considerate conduct) re-discovers and expounds the essential skills that allow us to live well among others." Johns Hopkins Professor - Pier Massimo Forni
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I've chosen this book as my next read. I heard about it a few years back - on Oprah I think - and came across it by accident and decided to buy it. I can't wait to get started. After seeing some of the most unbelievably rude behavior directed at our President lately it makes me wish that more people would take the time and read it as well. At any rate, we could all use a reminder of the power of considerate conduct - me included.
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The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct:
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1. Pay attention
2. Acknowledge others
3. Think the best
4. Listen
5. Be inclusive
6. Speak kindly
7. Don't speak ill
8. Accept and give praise
9. Respect even a subtle "no"
10. Respect others' opinions
11. Mind your body
12. Be agreeable
13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
14. Respect other people's time
15. Respect other people's space
16. Apologize earnestly
17. Assert yourself
18. Avoid personal questions
19. Care for your guests
20. Be a considerate guest
21. Think twice before asking for favors
22. Refrain from idle complaints
23. Accept and give constructive advice
24. Respect the environment and be gentle to animals
25. Don't shift responsibility and blame
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8 comments:

Lady Laura said...

Where have manners gone?

With all the recent "news" coverage of Serena Williams blow-up with a lineswoman and Kayne West's disgraceful actions at the Vh awards, it seems that there is an over abundance of people behaving badly.

Just a little niceness goes a long way.

Honeygo Beasley said...

This is a book everyone should read! Thanks for listing the rules. I wish I could adhere to each and every rule every day - that would be a good goal to achieve.

Honeygo Beasley said...

PS Per your reading list at the bottom of your blog:

I did my Master's Thesis on Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse and had to read practically everything she wrote to do it. : )))

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Sounds like a wonderful book! Just think how great the world would be if everyone read those rules and applied them to their own life!

XOXO
Jen

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Great post!!!!!!

Melissa said...

I really enjoy books like this. When I was in college, a friend and I came across "The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum" by Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh. It was our little bible for how a modern lady should behave. More recently, I picked up "What Would Audrey Do" which takes it's pointers from none other than Audrey Hepburn!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

This is going on my list of 'must read'!

meg said...

I *loved* the 25 rules Sabina! Thank you!

Meg xoxo

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