Ask the Chief

I’ve seen a growing trend where people go into a business and start pounding their first on the counter demanding service.

When did this become acceptable behavior?

Why have we replaced politeness and manners with rudeness and aggression?

I understand that someone may be upset with the service they were provided or they have a concern they are passionate about, but does that give them the right to yell, demean, belittle, exaggerate, and verbally attack someone.

There are some old sayings that I think people need to be reminded of.

It is easier to catch files with honey....Treat others as you want to be treated ... kind words cost little but accomplish much ... when I am called to deal with people acting like this I am at times surprised by who it is.

It is often well respected individuals who should know better. Individuals who would not tolerate being treated in the same manner but who feel it is ok for them to treat others poorly.

Most of the time I am able to resolve these situations with some simple de-escalation techniques.

However, when that doesn’t work and the individual continues to be disorderly, a law is broken.

Minnesota State Statute 609.72 ,Disorderly conduct says that whoever “engages in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, or noisy conduct or in offensive, obscene, or abusive language tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others” has committed a misdemeanor offense and could be arrested for such.

We live in a society that is governed by rules and laws. We live in communities where we must coexist in peace and cooperation.

Almost every organization has procedures in place to resolve concerns and to investigate complaints.

There is no need for people to be disorderly when expressing their dissatisfaction with a person or business.

I encourage everyone to always be respectful and to set the example of proper behavior.

I encourage people to not tolerate bullies or people being disorderly and rather than stooping to their level you can walk away from them, hang up the phone, ask them to leave and if need be call me.

We need to return to a time when politeness and manners was a point of pride. We need to think before we speak and we need to appreciate the fact that our behavior shows people who we really are.