Making Red And Green Choices Isn’t Just For Kids

Her six year old son made a move to hit another boy. I don’t know what prompted the altercation. The mother of the boy stepped in to quell the situation.

“No! Remember how we talked about making red choices.”

I didn’t know what a red choice was, we hadn’t had this concept in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I could deduce the meaning easily enough. Duh, red and green choices. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.

A quick Google search revealed entire businesses built around red and green choices: flash cards, board games, stickers, videos and books. There’s no shortage of product for the parent who wants to teach the concept of red and green choices.

The concept appealed to me. The utter simplicity and immediate recognition of the red and green metaphor, even by children. The simplicity is a thing of beauty.

Red and Green Choices For Adults

It got me thinking. If red and green choices work well for children, why can’t we apply this concept to adults too? In fact, there are many adults who haven’t learned the basic child lessons of red and green choices. Let’s put that aside for now.

Where else can we apply red and green choices to teach better behavior?

The possibilities are endless. I’m sure you have a dozen or so of your own. Here are some of mine.

Social Media Etiquette

Red Choices

Anonymous attack on a person’s reputation because you disagree with their position on an issue.
Humble bragging

Green Choices

Respectfully state your alternate view of a position. Better yet, say nothing at all.
Don’t tweet to someone what you wouldn’t say in person.

Mass Transit

Red Choice

Eating your Big Mac and fries in a crowded subway.
Taking up two seats when one will suffice.

Green Choices

Give up your seat to someone in need.
Say excuse me if someone is in your way (instead of pushing and shoving your way out).

Public Spaces

Red Choices

Leaving your trash on the ground.

Green Choices

Just throw your trash in the garbage. It’s really not that hard.

Driving

Red Choices

Tailgating someone because they’re going too slow.
Driving on the shoulder to bypass traffic.
Any action resulting from road rage.

Green Choices

Let someone merge into your lane instead of racing to cut them off.
If someone cuts you off, take a deep breath, relax and get on with your life.

Would love to hear your list.

Before You Go…

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