“You need to comprehend the value of Thanksgiving in order to celebrate it with understanding and not just follow the tradition without meaning.”
Source: The Gift of Thanksgiving
“Using titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., etc. demonstrates respect. In previous generations, it was a social necessity and simply good manners. One would consider you rude and uncultured if you were so presumptuous as to go straight to a “first name basis.” First names can imply an intimacy that does not exist and it may offend a new person until they know you better. Be wary of making assumptions.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“I was raised in an era when part of respecting your elders was to call them by Mr. or Mrs. When my children were growing up, an occasional child would call me Susan. It was jarring, felt disrespectful, and I did not like it. We reached a mutual agreement and their friends began calling me Ms. Susan. Perhaps this is more prevalent in the South, however, your awareness and consideration can help prevent social missteps.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“It is wise to use titles for people in positions of power, higher education, seniority, or maturity, unless otherwise instructed. This may sound old-fashioned, but practicing respectful traditions will earn you points and inevitably make you seem more cultured and sophisticated. This is especially true with older generations.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“To call certain people, such as your boss, teachers, professors, doctors, your parent’s friends, etc. by their first names might be considered disrespectful. It is best to err on the side of caution until you know what is appropriate.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Asking permission to call someone by their first name is a gesture of gentility and consideration. And once permission is granted, the gate is open for mutual respect and mutual purpose. Simply demonstrating this courtesy before making an assumption is impressive. Once permission is granted, you have earned points on both sides.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Make It Fun. Have you ever been publicly acknowledged or called upon in a room filled with people? Depending on your personality type, it can be either exhilarating or mortifying. It certainly does grab your attention, as well as everyone else’s!”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“When I am working with groups of thirty or fewer people, there is a powerful name exercise that I do to break the ice, start with humor, and begin my program with positive energy. One by one, each person will introduce themselves using an adjective that describes their personality that starts with the first letter of their name. “Spontaneous Susan,” “Dependable Dave,” and “Happy Helen” are a few quick examples. The benefit for the participants is twofold: it makes each person feel good and it makes people laugh. Additionally, it enables me to learn their names so that I can integrate them into the entire presentation for full engagement and participation.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Using names with respect and consideration tells a person that you care, are present and engaged, and that you are genuinely interested in making a connection. You make them feel remembered!”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact