A friend of mine recently mentioned someone she admired, noting how his calm, non-argumentative manner of conversing was likely why people from across the ideological spectrum considered him their friend. To be known for such gracious behavior should be a life goal for each of us—but getting there is easier said than done. Etiquette instructor Bethany Friske offers the following five tips to help us civilly navigate the waters of conversational rudeness and debate.
Win By Avoiding
Don’t debate “in a setting with other people that are held captive,” such as at a wedding reception, Ms. Friske says. “That is an inappropriate setting because it changes the whole dynamic of the table.” If others are determined to be ornery, look for ways to change the subject or find positive areas on which you can agree. “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it,” she says, paraphrasing Dale Carnegie.
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