Social Protocols: A Form of Respect

[September 5, 2016]  One of the advantages of Labor Day is the opportunity to cook burgers out on the grill, get some cooler weather, and drink a beer.  Best wishes to everyone this fine day as Hurricane Hermine drifted eastward off-shore, doing less damage than expected, and had no impact on New York City where I live.  However, not everyone is so happy since a number of social protocols were violated yesterday that made headlines and interesting reading.

Let’s start with the newsworthy treatment of U.S. president Barack Obama and his staff who flew to China for the G20 Summit.  Apparently Obama had to exit through the belly of Air Force One and then some of the White House staff were confronted by a screaming Chinese official who reportedly said, “This is our country! This is our airport!”¹  Infantile behavior by most measures but also shows the Chinese lack of respect for the U.S. president.

Then there is the Milo Yiannopoulos interview with the host of an ABC show that said to Yiannopoulos “Then you’re an idiot, really.”²  Out of the ordinary for a mainstream news organization to allow simpleton name-calling in a formal interview, regardless who is being interviewed or their behavior.

“A man’s manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.” – Goethe

Adhering to basic social protocols is a high form of respect.  Yet, knowingly violating them – for any reason – reflects more upon the violator than the one receiving such poor treatment.  In the case of the Chinese failing to provide the Red Carpet treatment for a U.S. president shows that the Chinese government could be seen as not ready for big league diplomacy.  ABC interview name calling indicates that the news organization has poorly trained their operators.

Following protocols means you are smart enough to follow the rules and professional enough to know how to apply them.  When you allow a violation, it will be perceived as infantile and pedantic.

So, let’s show some respect for Labor Day in the United States and celebrate by cooking a few burgs and hotdogs.

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1. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/09/04/obama-downplays-tarmac-row-between-us-china-officials-at-g20-summit.html
2. http://cubiclane.com/2016/09/milo-yiannopoulos-interview-abc-milo-90876-milo/