2008 Woodie Awards
When Friendly Debates Get Nasty
Preserving Civility in College Conversation
Lelia Walsh
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: Opinion
It is not uncommon to see intellectuals on campus, deeply engrossed in entertaining dialogue. That is, after all, what we are here for: to educate ourselves both in and out of the classroom. Conversation with our peers is critical to our development and entertainment to be sure, but what happens when a mutual exchange becomes an absolute attack on your person and beliefs?
We have all been there: one minute you are laughing and enjoying yourselves and then someone says something stupid, or just does not succeed in getting their point across well and someone else takes offense. The result? FIGHT!
There is one essential element that many college students today severely lack: tact. Yes, that's right; I am insulting your social skills. Go ahead, get angry, and prove my point.
We have all heard our parents tell us to never discuss religion or politics with anyone we just met, or when we are out for dinner. As wise as this advice may be, as college students, we can hardly resist the temptation to discuss such intriguing and volatile subjects. It is just in our nature to get into trouble.
So, instead of asking you to avoid intelligent discussion all together, I will offer some of my own advice that may assist you in maintaining an element of politeness to your discussion. They are the most obvious points, but trust me, they work.
Firstly, could we please remember to use correct and courteous language? There is nothing worse than having your point misunderstood because you used some odd back-ally slang, which no one outside of your hometown understands. It is just a good idea for us, in general, to learn to use professional language in our daily interaction. We are after all burgeoning adults here and should learn to speak and act as such.
Secondly, let us remember to R-E-S-P-E-C-T each other please! Every one is entitled to his or her own opinion, and we as Americans (or visiting international students!), and intelligent individuals, I hope, can agree on that point. So do not attack one another directly, and use language like: "Well, I can see your point, and it is interesting, but I still feel like…". See, it's not that hard to be polite and tactful in voicing your differing opinion. Also, do not get angry at someone who has a contradictory opinion and no name calling. That just makes you look childish, and quite frankly, stupid.
We have all been there: one minute you are laughing and enjoying yourselves and then someone says something stupid, or just does not succeed in getting their point across well and someone else takes offense. The result? FIGHT!
There is one essential element that many college students today severely lack: tact. Yes, that's right; I am insulting your social skills. Go ahead, get angry, and prove my point.
We have all heard our parents tell us to never discuss religion or politics with anyone we just met, or when we are out for dinner. As wise as this advice may be, as college students, we can hardly resist the temptation to discuss such intriguing and volatile subjects. It is just in our nature to get into trouble.
So, instead of asking you to avoid intelligent discussion all together, I will offer some of my own advice that may assist you in maintaining an element of politeness to your discussion. They are the most obvious points, but trust me, they work.
Firstly, could we please remember to use correct and courteous language? There is nothing worse than having your point misunderstood because you used some odd back-ally slang, which no one outside of your hometown understands. It is just a good idea for us, in general, to learn to use professional language in our daily interaction. We are after all burgeoning adults here and should learn to speak and act as such.
Secondly, let us remember to R-E-S-P-E-C-T each other please! Every one is entitled to his or her own opinion, and we as Americans (or visiting international students!), and intelligent individuals, I hope, can agree on that point. So do not attack one another directly, and use language like: "Well, I can see your point, and it is interesting, but I still feel like…". See, it's not that hard to be polite and tactful in voicing your differing opinion. Also, do not get angry at someone who has a contradictory opinion and no name calling. That just makes you look childish, and quite frankly, stupid.
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