Are they considerate or merely polite and civil?

This infographic talks about commitment. We often think being afraid of commitment is being afraid of long-term relationships or marriage, but it’s not. You can be married and be afraid of commitment. Commitment doesn’t always mean a romantic or any other long term relationship. It can mean a willingness to invest some time and put thought into what you say. Commitment is a component of consideration.

I had a communication breakdown with my ex husband this past week (and every week! LOL), who I am cohabitating with in order to prep our house for sale. The biggest issue in the communication breakdown between my Wasbund and I is he confuses being polite and civil with being considerate.

Considerate and polite are often used interchangeably, but there's a subtle distinction. While politeness focuses on social norms, considerateness prioritizes empathy and genuine concern.

Politeness focuses on external behavior, like manners and etiquette. It also involves following social norms. It’s part of the unspoken social contract. It may not reflect genuine concern and can be superficial and ritualistic, a habit, almost "autopilot" like.

Considerate on the other hand Involves empathy and thoughtfulness. It’s a consideration of the feelings, needs and perspectives of others and demonstrates genuine care and concern, it goes beyond mere etiquette.

So, breaking it down:

- Polite: Saying "thank you" out of habit.

- Considerate: Asking someone about their day and genuinely listening.

Thank you for reading. (⊙‿⊙✿)