DISQUS

Angela · 1 year ago

Treating others with courtesy and respect.

Frances · 1 year ago

Making other people comfortable; physically, of course, and also with each other, and whatever situation you are in. That's especially important as we step out of our comfort zones. Thanks Shannon

Cheryl · 1 year ago

Allowing someone to speak, listening to them until they're finished and then responding to what they say, especially children. Not interrupting someone with your own thoughts and truly being in the moment when they speak. Thanking your teachers (school, yoga, anything) for the valuable information they share. Showing up on time. Greeting anyone with a smile and a comment when they work at your home - gardeners, cleaners, sanitation workers.

Kristin · 1 year ago

I'll second Angela...and add treating our environment, be it our homes, our offices, our breathing space, or our planet, with respect. Thinking of the consequences of our behavior and ensuring we are doing what we can to promote love and positivity.

braziliana · 1 year ago

L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G

Chantal · 1 year ago

Being aware and awake as a human being. Helping to protect and take care of animals and the environment. Taking nothing for granted.

Lyda · 1 year ago

Being aware of your own biases so that you can truly hear others; letting go of your expectations so that you are in a position to give - 'paying it forward' for the pure joy received from giving freely.

Elizabeth · 1 year ago

To be civilized is to be thoughtful and kind.

Romana Mirza · 1 year ago

R-E-S-P-E-C-T I'm with the others. Actually for me respect is the over-riding behaviour. Out of it comes courtesy and love and compassion and great listening skills - it all falls out of respect.

Merritt · 1 year ago

Being civilized means not ripping people off. I just boarded a plane and was ready to settle in with my New York Times and soy latte, when I realized my latte was only 1/2 full! I realize we just lost 1.5 Billion in soy (God bless to those in the mid-west) but I doubt the barista was savvy enough to be conservative... It was sheer complacency. People... When you pay $4 for coffee, or $80 for a massage, or $50 for a good meal, you should get a full cup, the whole 60 minutes, and a side of friendliness.

SRead · 1 year ago

Kindness and respect are top of my list. If we can have awareness and appreciation for others our world would be a better place. Supporting, loving and caring for people with significant disabilities has taught me a lot about civility.

mary · 1 year ago

turning off your cell phone in public group places (opera, theatre, place of worship)

bene · 1 year ago

Be polite, kind and and respectful of others. Be the person you would like to meet!
Give me a smile, love:)

Darcy · 1 year ago

You did make me smile, thanks!

Cindy · 1 year ago

I agree with what Angela said, but I would take the statement a step further. I think it is important to treat others the way they want to be treated. What seems like respect or "common" courtesy to us may not mean the same thing to someone else - so we have to pay attention and ask questions to treat others in the way they wish to be treated. This is especially true since there are so many different cultures from all different countries interacting now - each with different ways of showing respect and courtesy.

Xai Vicente Charles · 1 year ago

My mother taught me that when visiting someone you should never come empty handed. So when visiting others or traveling around the world, I take along respect and kindness. These cost nothing to give.

Ngonzi Truth Crushshon · 1 year ago

Speaking (saying hello or waving -and not just staring when someone speaks to you), Respecting others opinions/beliefs (even if you don't agree) & being cordial (doing something nice, thinking about others and not being so self-absorbed and selfish).

Colette · 1 year ago

Great question because Civility has different meanings in different countries. For me, civility is expressing myself as a Being of love. I know, kinda sappy, and I have been know to be rather uncivilized - just ask my hubby! ;P

Krystl · 1 year ago

Being civilized is understanding that you are just one thread in the fabric of society. To understand that your actions have an impact on the whole. To be aware of others. To have empathy. A lot of things the others have mentioned come from this very basic understanding - manners, respect, environmentalism, giving gifts...

Guylaine · 1 year ago

Being civilized to me is, amongst other things, beeing aware that "civilization" is not the apanage of one culture or one country and that what can be construed as polite in one might be considered impolite in another. And respecting these differences and being curious and interested to learn about them...

I find very civilized the custom, in many non north-american environments, which consists in really taking the time to greet people (even in a work or business context) and inquire about their health and family with real interest instead of rushing into the business at hand, wether you are a doctor seing a patient, a bank teller serving a client, etc...

Krystl · 1 year ago

nice answer. and i learned a new word! 'apanage' - very good word.

Jacquie · 1 year ago

Angela nailed it! Respect was the word that came to mind for me. Respect everywhere and at all times. Respect allows all compassion and dignity.

Katie Kay · 1 year ago

Be polite and make other people feel comfortable by including everyone listening in a conversation by making eye contact with each person as you tell your story. I know I appreciate it, and wish that other people would practice this simple courtesy when speaking to more than 1 person.

Ellen · 1 year ago

Kindness.

Emily · 1 year ago

mom, to me, you exemplify what it means to be civilized - not just in actions but in the way you approach life. I admire the way you can make any house into a stylish home without spending a fortune - you respect and cherish your spaces and make everyone feel so welcome.

kerrymac · 1 year ago

Being civilized is sharing...giving back with an open heart. Holding a door, giving to charity, I love hostess gifts, handwritten thank you cards, saying Grace with friends and family. My last pregnancy I got rather saddened by the lack of manners I often encountered with teenage and 20-something guys. Huge belly and two other kids and still sometimes doors weren't held that extra second, or bus seats not surrendered. I don't think they were being spiteful , they simply didn't know better. The worst was one day (7 months pregos) after we had a good two feet of snow I got our vehicle very stuck with my boys in the car and hubbie out of town. I shoveled for over an hour while three teenage neighbours, just home from snowboarding, cleared their steps then sat and drank beers! I was to angry to ask for help, but they certainly didn't get any baking from me anymore.

lisaohhh · 1 year ago

courtesy and generosity. grace under pressure.

Lindsey · 1 year ago

I agree, for sure. Respect, which can often mean simply being polite, is the first thing that came to mind.

Gwyneth Jones · 1 year ago

Respecting all those around you regardless of age, class, ethnicity or any other differences.

Reg · 1 year ago

Sharing, having compassion and remembering that we are not the only ones occupying this planet.

Mary · 1 year ago

Bingo. If respect over-rides our baser impulses, then our better selves show through. We then can bite our tongue before repeating gossip, whining, being clever with a caustic comment. Likewise we can find a thoughtful way to repair damage when we lose our way.

Susie Hutchinson · 1 year ago

Treating animals and children with dignity.

Karryn Ransom · 1 year ago

I second that, Gwyneth! Everyone has value. Everyone.

Scott · 1 year ago

Creating space for the possibility of all perspectives. Celebrating diversity.

Kathleen · 1 year ago

Finding ways to help others who are less fortunate. Following the golden rule. Treating others with compassion, respect and kindness.

Connie · 1 year ago

Civilized may mean to be non-martial, to be peaceful and kind and compassionate. Sounds right to me.

Girl-Woman · 1 year ago

Civilized is the developed modern society of the blogosphere, particulary, this blog. Carrie and Danielle challenge us to go beyond the box on a daily basis within a new realm. A single flower that Danielle suggested was civilized -- and I couldn't agree more -- that same flower is a heartfelt thank-you in the blogosphere. And as Carrie intimated, respect for children or any human being is civilization on steroids.

RecollectedStephanie · 1 year ago

To my mind, the height of acting like a civilized person is to feel deeply, and experience fully, and grieve, and lose, and completely screw up and know you've done it ... and never take it out on anyone else.

MelissaM · 1 year ago

Love. Respect. Courage. Honesty. Wisdom. Humility. Truth.... seven teachings about civility that Indigenous people knew and lived long before they were "civilised".

Cindy · 1 year ago

Appreciation of the aspects of life beyond the everyday - culture, art, nature, beauty.

Kristi · 1 year ago

Oh, yes! Please sign up for the cell phone etiquette class coming soon (I hope) to a neighbourhood near you.

But actually, when you think about it, cell phone etiquette falls in the big arena of respect - respecting the rights of others to enjoy public group spaces - the bus, the bookstore, the library - without having to listen to you chat.

C Martin · 1 year ago

I use the word to describe a certain refinement in taste or manners; someone who is polished or a higly cultured experience. However, by definition, I beleive it means to be evolved morally and intellectually.

Beth C. · 1 year ago

Being civilized means being gentle, gracious and kind.

Virginie · 1 year ago

Sustainability! Environmentally & Socially.

Being civilized today is to care for other people & for our planet in everything we do.

Stephanie · 1 year ago

Being mindful, which I would say encompasses respecting the wishes of others, the dignity of your body, and the sanctity of the natural world. (Maybe that mindfulness comes from a silent understanding of the heavy hand of karma/"God"/whatever, ready to smack you if you screw up.)