A Lesson in Tactfulness

[OranKells]

I don't know how tactful any of this is

[Veji]

[tact]I think there is an opportunity for a discovery of new thought processes, here. Thanks![/tact]

This shit looks boring. Moving along, moving along.

[Teryaani]

I am just stating that Japanese culture is one of politeness, conflict-avoidance and circumspection that results in tact. If someone asks you how you are in Japan, the only answer is 'Fine, thank you'. No other answer is acceptable because of the obligation it would put on someone else to care. If that's not tact, I don't know what is.

rac·ism
ˈrāˌsizəm/
noun
noun: racism

the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.


***

Tact isn't lying. Tact is knowing how to phrase something in a way that is less damaging to the listener.


tact
takt/
noun
noun: tact

adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.

Notice that it doesn't say lying there. Just being aware of other's feelings.

[LordMaitreya]

Hey folks! I've been noticing a lot of people in-game and on the forums get into very antagonizing (and even unnecessary) arguments and I think it's time all of us sit down and learn about the beauty of tact!

*hands out papers* -> http://charactercounts.org/pdf/good_..._K5_idea31.pdf

Tact is a very useful social tool which involves some proper phrasing in order dull the sharpness of harsh truths or opinions. By phrasing things in a less sharp manner, one can give better advice or express opinions or facts without fear of defensive backlash.

I have heard many people excuse their lack of tact for being simply "honest", but all that flavor of "honesty" does is cause people to feel hurt, which can provoke feelings of defensiveness, causing them to perceive you as if you are directly attacking them, and thus they may well attack you back.

Trying to teach millennials tact? You are doing God's work.

[Nitelancer]

Hey nice post. Thanks for the reminder.

[Aegis]

rac·ism
ˈrāˌsizəm/
noun
noun: racism

the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

Race and culture are not the same thing. Japanese and Chinese people are essentially the same ethnic group (the populations diverged comparatively recently) but culturally they could hardly be more different.

on an unrelated note, there *are* differences between races. Northern Europeans are taller than Southern Europeans, African-Americans are more prone to hypertension and diabetes than European Americans, lactose intolerance is more common in mongoloid races etc etc. Apparently its racist to know this. I wonder if doctors that use this knowledge to tailor care plans are aware they are being racist. Perhaps the drug companies should stop developing phenotype-variations for their drugs.

[Teryaani]

Race and culture are not the same thing. Japanese and Chinese people are essentially the same ethnic group (the populations diverged comparatively recently) but culturally they could hardly be more different.

on an unrelated note, there *are* differences between races. Northern Europeans are taller than Southern Europeans, African-Americans are more prone to hypertension and diabetes than European Americans, lactose intolerance is more common in mongoloid races etc etc. Apparently its racist to know this. I wonder if doctors that use this knowledge to tailor care plans are aware they are being racist. Perhaps the drug companies should stop developing phenotype-variations for their drugs.

I shouldn't respond to this. I really shouldn't. I should let this derailment die. I'm sorry OP. I really am, but I can't let this thing go. I leave thinking that this will die and here you are, Aegis, breaking out the backhoe and digging yourself deeper.

You didn't respond to my definition of tact. I'm assuming that you've ceded that point. Tact is learned. Tact is not the prospect of any one region and it's not more prevalent in any one region.

Tell me, what the hell do minor physical differences have to do with tact? Nothing? Right! So why are we talking about it? OH RIGHT, because you're obfuscating your whole "westerners have no tact" debacle.

With that, I'm done. Sorry again OP.

Tact is good! I will strive to be more tactful!

[Aegis]

You didn't respond to my definition of tact. I'm assuming that you've ceded that point. Tact is learned. Tact is not the prospect of any one region and it's not more prevalent in any one region.

Tell me, what the hell do minor physical differences have to do with tact? Nothing? Right! So why are we talking about it? OH RIGHT, because you're obfuscating your whole "westerners have no tact" debacle.

And in turn you haven't yet responded to which nation that poster was a nationalist for, or which race they are attacking. I assume that's because you realise they and I are neither nationalistic or racist. I do believe tact is more prevalent in other social cultures regardless of your ignorance on the topic.

And yeah, you shouldn't reply, you aren't doing yourself any favours.