Online trolls get away with rude posts when they hide their identities. But when identified professionals wish death or harm on others, it can get alarming. And all uncivil behavior can agitate anger that can spiral into an uncontrollable tit-for-tat rude exchange. Why be polite even if others are not? 1. Politeness gives you an edge in your career. 2. Polite persons implicate their families in their good reputation. 3. Polite persons can adapt in all types of environments. They have made sacrifices in striving for politeness. Rudeness is a misfit in polite environments.
How do you become polite even if others are not? 1. Lower your expectations about people. Education does not make a person polite. Respect for other people does. 2. Learn to listen. If customers display rude behavior, listen as they might be really pointing out something that can be improved by your organization. 3. Be extra nice online. Review your content before hitting POST or SEND. 4. Be attentive to polite role models. Etiquette books can help and living examples of polite behavior can help even better. 5. Know that it is other people who decide to grant authority on communications from you. That's the limit to faking politeness.