The Power of Courtesy: How Respect Transforms Conflict

Simple Acts of Consideration Are Key to Defusing Tension and Finding Common Ground

When you’re polite and show good manners others are more likely to be polite and courteous in return. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Imagine you’re embroiled in a heated argument with someone. Voices are rising, tensions are high. Now picture this — your opponent takes a deep breath, gives you full attention, and speaks calmly without insults or aggression.

How would that make you feel? Chances are, you’d also start to de-escalate and have a more reasonable discussion. That’s the power of common courtesy.

Common courtesy plays a vital role in resolving conflicts and diffusing tense situations. According to communication experts Holt and DeVore, “courtesy behaviors help reduce the possibility of conflict escalation by facilitating cooperation and coordination between individuals.” When disagreements arise, showing respect, active listening, and refraining from offensive language or gestures can help calm things down.

According to fellow Medium writer @lynnlalexandar’s post Does Our Society Lack Common Courtesy? “It seems that common courtesy has gone down the drain” and she’s “not sure when this happened.” I tend to agree. nonetheless, we should practice common courtesy and respect.