Fads, Buzzwords, & Other Nonsense

What seems okay in one generation often plays out as not-such-a-good idea in later ones.

Isn't this ad a good example?

That's why I try to avoid buzzwords and fads. Because fads are like leisure suits and buzzwords have the same life span as reality shows with chubby children named BooBoo. And also because I'm lazy and just can't keep up with all of them.

That's what the unCommon Sense movement is all about.

It's a chance to stop using all the buzzwords and trendy methods to work with other people and just get back to treating people decently.

A lot of people call this the Golden Rule: Treat people the way YOU'D like to be treated.

You know what might work even better? Treat people the way THEY'D like to be treated.

Yup. That means realizing we're different. (Notice I avoided the word Diversity? That's because it seems we're using that innocent little buzzword as a "challenge" these days, not as a way to connect.)

So, we could take the time to realize we're all different and that we don't all like to be treated in the same way. It has nothing to do with color, country, religion, or sex. It has to do with being individuals.
 
And the only way we can treat people as individuals is to get to know them.

• That's as simple as stopping to listen after we ask someone "How are you?" instead of being in the parking lot while they're still answering.
• It's as easy as actually paying attention to them when it looks like they're overwhelmed. 
• It's as simple as listening more than we talk.

We could replace buzzwords with just being helpful coworkers, kind neighbors, and good friends.

I know. That's just crazy talk. On the other hand, it could be fun to try this week.

Forgive the rant, but it just felt like the right message for a Sunday morning. Plus I think I'm running low on my medication... 

Let's summarize getting to know people with Mark Twain's wonderful quote on travel:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts."

Thanks for visiting!