Back in the day, it was said it was never polite to discuss politics or religion in polite company. Yesterday, I watched a group I belong to begin to implode because of political viewpoints. This is heartbreaking to watch...these people are the best of the best. That being said, I read statements online yesterday that these same people would cringe if they heard them at a dinner party.
Let me say this as clearly as I can. Being in cyberspace does not excuse bad manners!! People deserve to be treated with dignity regardless if they are online or face to face. Not seeing a person is not a permission slip to attack.
Now the definition of manners has changed over the years. Ladies no longer don hats and gloves before leaving the house. Dinner tables are no longer set with every piece of silver owned. But the basics...watching one's tongue, speaking with respect...shouldn't these still endure? Even in cyberspace?
And those are my random thoughts this morning...
I make it a point now to refuse to become entangled in those discussions when they start getting personal and the participants start demonstrating bad manners like that. If you don't believe in a subject well enough to discuss it rationally and with respect to those that differ from you, then you should remain out of the discussion.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!! And I did stay out of it...until I responded with this post as a gentle reminder to mind their manners!
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