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Communication FUNdamentals
Sep. 9, 2008
Tuesday Tip Series "Words Mean Things" Part 4: Tolerance
In recent years, the meanings of certain words have been changed so much as to be almost unrecognizable! So many words have been changed that we have come to the point where words don't really mean anything anymore. Continuing with my series, "Words Mean Things", this week's word is...tolerance.
Merriam Webster defines tolerance as "a) sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own b) the act of allowing something: toleration"
If you are a tolerant person, you allow others to voice a different opinion. You have sympathy for or indulge others and "tolerate" their point of view even if it opposes your own. In my day it was called being polite.
It is also a starting point for discussion where you might conceivably persuade others of your views (or you of theirs however it works out). Polite discussion is the civilized way and really the ONLY way to persuade. Very few people are persuaded to rethink their position if they are shut down from voicing theirs. Almost nobody is willing to listen to someone who is yelling at them to keep them from having their say.
However, polite discussion where both parties "tolerate" the others' point of view is the beginning of agreement...a meeting of the minds. That's how my generation was brought up. That's how things got done and problems were solved. You talked things out and worked things out. Not so much of the time these days.
Of late, tolerance means something altogether different. Tolerance is something that means one thing to those who run in my circles but means quite another to those who stand outside that circle. Tolerance is a word only for the "other guy". Not for me! If Jane won't back down because she doesn't see things my way, she's INTOLERANT. If John won't agree that I'm right, he's INTOLERANT. But if I disagree with someone I have "Freedom of Speech"!
And not only have we changed the meaning of the word we have extended its grasp! Tolerance is where you have to let me voice my opinion in whatever way I like including a way that is viewed disrespectful. In fact, you are not allowed to be offended by my disrespect. After all, this is America. I have freedom of speech and you have to be tolerant!
From JoJo's Purple Crayon...
Where's FIMM? Did you find himm this week?
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Sep. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Hugs,
Amanda