Show Notes:

Consider two axes, one or importance (of a job, career, project,

relationship) and the other of courtesy. Thus, we run from unimportant to

important, and rude to polite on the two continua.

If something is important and it is performed with courtesy and

consideration, it is effectively done. Consider the flight attendant ensuring

that seat belts are fastened or the server apologizing for a poorly prepared

meal and quicky replacing it.

If something is relatively unimportant but politely done, it’s a gracious

encounter. This might be the coffee shop worker delivering your order and

thanking you for your business, or someone ahead of you holding a door

and smiling.

When something is important but people are impolite you have a nasty

individual. I’ve met immigration officers who are simply surly and

disrespectful, and bank tellers who ask for identification from people they

already know quite well.

And when something is unimportant and people are rude, you have

malice—someone looking for trouble. These are people who shove you

aside on the sidewalk or who are passive aggressive and try to undermine

you in a chat with others.

It costs nothing to be polite, but it seem that a lot of people see it as too big

of an investment.