Welcome to my new blog domain. Just so we all understand, I am reposting a blog from below.
WikHow has a useful article on “How to be nice”. I thought I might adapt it for “How to be nice on this blog”. It might help some people in the combox…
How to Be Nice
You’ve been told to be nice since you were a child, but what exactly does it mean to not be mean? “Nice” is a vague term to put it. If your parents never gave you the break-down, here it is.
Steps
1. Smile. Well, obviously that’s going to be difficult on a blog for a start – since we can’t see your face. But if you write with a happy smile on your face, that might help you adopt “a smiley tone” in your comment. It will let people know that you are pleasant and inviting. If you adopte a smiley tone with someone, they won’t do anything but adopt a smiley tone back. If they don’t, then maybe they are just having a bad day. It is up to you to set the mood of the encounter. Make it happy by being the first to adopt a smiley tone. Normally, the internet equivalent of making faces or moody looks at someone is not nice.
2. Say hello. If you are new to the blog, introduce yourself and let us know where you are coming from. Don’t just butt in. Try to acknowledge the presence of other readers with a simple “hello” or “hi” or a nod in their direction.
3. Be a good listener. Bother to read what other commentators have written and take the time to understand them. It isn’t nice to just ignore other peoples’ opinions and stories. If you find that someone is becoming rude or pushy, acknowledge their opinion, issue a compliment (“Having your own set of values and beliefs is pretty admirable”) and excuse yourself politely (“I’m sorry, I’ve got to go get the groceries so I can meet my husband/wife when they get home.”).
4. Be courteous. Always say “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” You can also address people by sir or ma’am, but that might be a bit formal for this blog. Be patient, observant, and considerate. Treat people with respect. Even if you don’t particularly like someone at first, they could end up being a really interesting and kind person. Remember: People aren’t dogs or the ground you spit on.
5. Be positive. Well, it’s hard not to be negative or critical at times – and even the blog owner finds difficulty in being positive all the time. But keep looking for the positive in any given situation. Think of it this way: Your job is to cheer other SCE readers up and make their day!
6. Be humble. This applies to everyone on this blog except the owner. No, alright, it applies to me too… The key to being nice is remembering that you are not “better” than someone else. You’re an individual, but everybody has their struggles, and being nice to one another makes life better for everyone.
7. Be sincere. This is a blog where you can be honest. I don’t want to suggest that anyone should hide their true beliefs or opinions on this blog. Don’t be nice just because you don’t want your comment deleted (which it probably will be if you aren’t nice). Be nice because you want to look back on what you have written in the combox and know that, while you may indeed be “infallibly right in your opinions”, and yes, you may indeed have “told those heretics a thing or two”, but you are still a nice person, and they will still want to dialogue with you more in the future, and they will still be open to your ideas next time you post a comment, and you don’t have to add what you wrote to the list for your next visit to the confessional.
Tips
Always remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Even though some people may not be nice to you at first, they will the more they get to know you.
Assume the best about people. Most people don’t mean to insult or offend others most of the time. Unless it’s overt, assume the slight was accidental. Don’t assume that someone is a heretic until you really know that they are!
If you find yourself thinking poorly about someone, don’t worry; you’re not a terrible person because we all do this from time to time. However, try to catch yourself doing it, and think of something nice about that person instead. It’ll help you look at people more positively, and you’ll quickly break the habit of seeing the worst in someone.
Don’t laugh at other people’s mistakes and don’t point out their faults too harshly. It’s okay to joke, of course, but use your common sense; think about what you’re about to say, and consider the fact that just because you may not be offended by a certain comment, others could be.
Be optimistic about everything, even when you don’t particularly feel like it. Always look on the bright side!
Never underestimate the power of optimism, but at the same time, you can crack a joke in a funny way to make you more likable or just something unexpected so long as you counteract it with a lot of positive behaviour as well. Funny, I find, is nice.
Warnings
While being nice, do not be a total pushover. You don’t have to compromise your opinions on this blog, but you also should expect to be treated fairly. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what is right and do not hesitate to defend someone.
You may have heard that “It’s not what you see, it’s what’s on the inside that counts”. This might be true, but on this blog all we see of you is what you write. That’s all we have to judge you on. If you are barbarous in your first comments, that is how you’ll be known. It will be hard to expect others to treat you fairly since all they know of you is what you write. If you are friendly the first impression, people will know you as nice and sincere.
In the interests of unity and civility I am pledged to be as nice as I can over here. I like the look of this wordpress blog and look forward to many years of stimulating discussion.
God bless
Frank
Hi David
Best of luck in the new environment.
The archive of your own posts has come across, but not the archived comments, some of which contained very worthwhile discussions.
Is this an accident, or just an unfortunate but inevitable consequence of the move?
Hi, David!
I join with frank and pledge to be a good and positive contributor,even when the dark ale has all dried up.
Schutz when do you go?
“Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)”
-could be interesting!
(golly: isn’t the writing BIG on his site! )
David,
I’m nice. I swear. And never at people either!
Tom.
Hi David,
Best of luck with the new blog.
I’m not planning on crossing the line between regular reader to regular contributor, but thought I’d drop you a line in case I wanted a sip of port.
Looking forward to the comments getting back on topic!
It certainly looks bigger on the screen But can it be better?
It is bigger but will it be better?
I can’t bear WordPress. Ho hum.
But have fun!
I usually blog under Matthias but at times i may also blog under Matthias Carter,but in case there is any confusion i will try to just be Matthias.
Happy blogging in your new digs, David. Looking to get cleared for commenting in case something comes up later.
I am A Mean Nasty Conservative (TM).
Do I still get to comment?
Be nice. Gotcha.
I’m more or less nice. Just signing up.
I am NOT nice. When I let the holy spirit work within me ,I may love my enemies on and off, but with family, friends, fellow-catholics, I am NASTY. I have been known to be nice to followers of the religion of P.. this has survival value at times.
Besides , I have arooted objection to niceness with people and places with catholic on a sign over the door who are in favour of abortion , contraception, and euthenasia, they couldn’t be nicer, any on em, and I am seldom nice back.
Does this disqualify me?
It will if you are NOT nice in any particular blog, Mike! But I am approving you for now.
Hello David and SCE friends,
I hope to join you in your discussions now and then. As for being nice, hmmm, I give the answer I gave my mother, ‘I promise to behave myself’.
I much rather look on at the discussion unfolding. By the time I’ve formulated a response I find someone more eloquent has beaten me to it. Still, I’m happy to read on.
All the best
PaulineK
Hi, David and All – My mother [and father] taught me “nice”. Indeed, they [with God’s help] made me “perfect” in every way. Any short-comings have been self-inflicted. My “problem”? I am a “Traditional Catholic” – of the Teilhard Variety. I am a Catholic of the first SIX Centuries of the Church – revived and updated after an “eclipse” of about FOURTEEN Centuries.