I'm not sure what I was going to say about it, but diplomacy sure is a good topic.
I don't mean the professional diplomacy performed by ambassadors, foreign ministers and heads of state. It's the daily stuff that passes between ordinary individuals that really matters. We could do with a lot more of it.
Oh, before we go any further, let's call it what it really is... Courtesy. Some businesses call it customer service.
It is simple enough to accomplish. Just acknowledge others and give the same attention that we desire. Say to ourselves, "It's not about me."
If that doesn't work, wait a day or two and you'll forget whatever snarky remark you were going to make. That is accidental diplomacy. It's just as effective even though it is unintentional because nobody else knows.
Isn't it a lot better when others don't know than it is for them to misunderstand?
It seems to me that you have a lot less to complain about in the States than we do in the UK. I am sorry to say that I have always found Americans far more courteous than the majority of Brits. And I don't mean the 'have a good day' said by shop assistants out of thoughtless habit.
ReplyDeleteI think the two most over-used expressions used by clerks are:
ReplyDelete1) "Have a nice day" and
2) "Sorry about that."
All they signify is a lack of consciousness.
More about American courtesy
ReplyDeleteNew York=London=Paris etc etc. But I remember walking back to our B&B from a restaurant in Front Royal and being passed by a teenager, maybe 15 or 16 years old, who politely greeted us with 'Good evening, sir, madam.' It wouldn't happen here.
ReplyDelete