Show Notes:

Consider two axes, one or importance (of a job, career, project,
relationship) and the other of courtesy. Thus, we run from unimportant to
important, and rude to polite on the two continua.
If something is important and it is performed with courtesy and
consideration, it is effectively done. Consider the flight attendant ensuring
that seat belts are fastened or the server apologizing for a poorly prepared
meal and quicky replacing it.
If something is relatively unimportant but politely done, it’s a gracious
encounter. This might be the coffee shop worker delivering your order and
thanking you for your business, or someone ahead of you holding a door
and smiling.
When something is important but people are impolite you have a nasty
individual. I’ve met immigration officers who are simply surly and
disrespectful, and bank tellers who ask for identification from people they
already know quite well.
And when something is unimportant and people are rude, you have
malice—someone looking for trouble. These are people who shove you
aside on the sidewalk or who are passive aggressive and try to undermine
you in a chat with others.
It costs nothing to be polite, but it seem that a lot of people see it as too big
of an investment.

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