Importance of Handwritten Notes

I was reading the September issue of the Costco Connection and was especially interested in this month's debate: "Should students still be taught cursive writing?" I was somewhat surprised that there is even a debate. The replies against learning cursive seem to indicate that all is needed is technology and that cursive writing is no longer used or important.

From an etiquette perspective, there is a time and place for both technology and cursive writing. Cursive is important for handwritten thank you notes, letters, invitations, and more. Think of how you feel when someone makes the effort to send you a handwritten note rather than an email or a text. What impression does it make on you? Does it feel more personal? Handwritten notes go a long way in making impactful positive impressions. As people move more and more to technology, you will really stand out and be remembered by making the effort to actually write by hand. It is not old-fashioned or stuffy. Rather, it is courteous, memorable, and creates a personal connection you cannot make with an email or text.

To read the article, click here.

Neighborhood Manners

If you have ever had an ongoing row with one of your neighbors, you may (or may not?) appreciate what Judge Huey of Tampa, Florida ordered neighbors in a decade-long feud. To help restore civility and neighborly manners, the feuding neighbors are ordered to hold six months of neighborhood potlucks. Will this work? Doubtful it will create friendships. Restore civility? Perhaps. We will see.

To read the article, see: "Pass the Peace: Feuding Neighbors to Hold Potlucks."

Niceness Predicts Leader Success

Nice Guys and Gals Finish First

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University studied 72 senior executives from 31 companies and found that “bully traits,” poor interpersonal skills, arrogance, impatience, stubbornness, and hard-driving style were detriments to executive success. Rather, successful executives demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, good people management skills, and self-awareness. Being “nice” was a tool of success.

To read the report, see: “When It Comes To Business Leadership, Nice Guys Finish First.”

Cell Phone Courtesy

July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month! For tips, see the Etiquette Centre's July Newsletter: http://conta.cc/clwMCu.

Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis June Newsletter

The June newsletter is ready for viewing at: http://conta.cc/a8IbwB. This month features the following: U.S. Flag Etiquette; Edina Country Club and Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis Partnership; and In the News!

The End of Empathy

College students have about 40% less empathy than college students did during the 1980s or 1990s (University of Michigan Study of nearly 14,000 college students). See: The End of Empathy

I would add that additional causes of the growing lack of empathy in our culture are due to reality television shows where peering into another's life and troubles becomes commonplace and unfortunately, humorous to some viewers; and the proliferation of violent video games and shows where such unreal events take away from the realness of actual events occurring on our world (as the article states inability to distinguish fantasy from reality).

This lack of empathy is one reason that civility and manners training is so important in our world today. It is not about stuffiness and rules. Rather, it is about genuine caring of another's feelings. About showing kindness and graciousness. And about empathy – the understanding, awareness, sensitivity, and capacity to put oneself in another's shoes so to speak.

A great question for our society: Who's shoes are you wearing today?

Workplace Bullying

Bullying is not just something children do. Many adults have experienced bullying at work from yelling/screaming, belittling, fist pounding, to sabotage, and more.

Why is this important? See: "For Businesses, Bully Lawsuits May Pose New Threat."