Understanding Everyday Incivility

Why Are They So Rude?

By (author) Shelley D. Lane

Not available to order

Publication date:

28 August 2017

Length of book:

264 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442261860

Understanding Everyday Incivility delves into the day-to-day annoying behaviors that color our interactions with other people, such as the use of crude language in public, family members who claim that they’re “just teasing” and we’re “too sensitive,” coworkers who constantly interrupt us, and inflammatory remarks posted on social media sites.

Shelley D. Lane explores what is considered uncivil behavior, why we label some acts as crude or selfish while others are deemed polite and proper, and how these labels often change from one context to the next. She highlights the power dynamics at play in our interactions and explains how “rude” behavior can sometimes be beneficial—and “polite” behavior can be detrimental. Rather than a simplistic manual of manners, Lane provides the tools to understand everyday incivility and strategies for responding effectively and appropriately.
Meticulously researched and written with lucidity, this book provides deep insights into our civility crisis. Rather than prescribe a set of rules, Lane explains what we need consider if we are to build a truly lasting civility. A gem of a book that ranks with the best literature on civility.