Hold Your Tongue
It bewilders me some times how a few choice words either from perfect strangers or people we love can make one really angry or upset.
If people were to make better judgment calls regarding whether to say anything, what to say and how they say it, the world would undoubtedly be a more peaceful place. This is true too for all written communications (e.g. emails, social media postings, etc.). In the world of children bullying each other literally to death at school, this is clearly something that needs to be taught to both children and adults.
A piece of wonderful advice my mother had once given me is that when I’m really mad and so badly want to lash out by saying something hurtful at someone, it is best to count to 10 and try to call to calm down and avoid saying hurtful things. After all, once spoken, those very words cannot be taken back (or erased when posted online). An apology can help, but while one may be forgiven, it is difficult for anyone to forget. The damage that is done cannot be undone.
While working in hospitality, I’ve learned that a key way to quickly process what to say is to ask yourself if what you’re about to say is 1) necessary, 2) the best thing to say, and 3) the best possible way to say it. If not, hold your tongue and think it through before speaking.
Once ill-spoken, a less than desirable situation can easily explode into a problem that can become a costly mistake. Too many companies find themselves having escalating customer service issues simply because staff persons handling a situation have said the wrong thing in a panic or just to fill dead air and open up possibilities of lawsuits.
Best rule of thumb: when in doubt, hold your tongue.
It can save you a lot of trouble, heartache and money. Most of all, it can create peace. And don’t we all want world peace?
If people were to make better judgment calls regarding whether to say anything, what to say and how they say it, the world would undoubtedly be a more peaceful place. This is true too for all written communications (e.g. emails, social media postings, etc.). In the world of children bullying each other literally to death at school, this is clearly something that needs to be taught to both children and adults.
A piece of wonderful advice my mother had once given me is that when I’m really mad and so badly want to lash out by saying something hurtful at someone, it is best to count to 10 and try to call to calm down and avoid saying hurtful things. After all, once spoken, those very words cannot be taken back (or erased when posted online). An apology can help, but while one may be forgiven, it is difficult for anyone to forget. The damage that is done cannot be undone.
While working in hospitality, I’ve learned that a key way to quickly process what to say is to ask yourself if what you’re about to say is 1) necessary, 2) the best thing to say, and 3) the best possible way to say it. If not, hold your tongue and think it through before speaking.
Once ill-spoken, a less than desirable situation can easily explode into a problem that can become a costly mistake. Too many companies find themselves having escalating customer service issues simply because staff persons handling a situation have said the wrong thing in a panic or just to fill dead air and open up possibilities of lawsuits.
Best rule of thumb: when in doubt, hold your tongue.
It can save you a lot of trouble, heartache and money. Most of all, it can create peace. And don’t we all want world peace?
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