How Do We Say It?
On the benefits and drawbacks of politesse
After last weeks debacle of a Presidential debate, a presenter on CNN actually described it in scatological terms. Not the most shocking thing that happened that night, but shocking nonetheless.
If there was anything at all clear from the debate it was in each debater’s approach to etiquette.
Full of disdain and disrespect from the start, President Trump maintained an unapologetic rudeness through to the end. Never mind the fact that Trump was not completely truthful in everything he said (spoiler alert: not even close), the way he said it should count just as heavily against him. Belligerent, aggressive, insulting and interrupting both Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, and Chris Wallace, the so-called moderator, Trump ratcheted up the heat, bringing low the debate.
Joe Biden, by contrast, bounded out and offered Trump a friendly greeting at the outset. But in the face of Trump’s rudeness, Biden, too, descended into impatience and then into a rancor and testiness, however unwillingly.
Much has been made about how easily and how often Trump breaks norms, not least of which are certain decencies of speech, decorum and respectful attention. Little to nothing, however, is noted about those who still try to hold to the norms…
