Well, howdy there! So, you wanna know about this “strategically polite” thing, huh? Sounds fancy, like somethin’ them city folks would say. But lemme tell ya, even us old hens know a thing or two about bein’ polite, strategically or not.
Now, this here “strategically polite” thing, it’s like when you gotta be nice to someone, even if you don’t really feel like it. You know, like when the preacher comes visitin’ and you gotta offer him some lemonade even though you’re savin’ it for the kids. It’s all about gettin’ somethin’ you want, or smoothin’ things over, without causin’ a ruckus.
What does it mean to be “strategically polite”?
It means you’re bein’ nice on purpose, got a reason behind it. Not just bein’ friendly for the heck of it. Like, if you want your neighbor to lend you his tractor, you ain’t gonna go over there and yell at him about his chickens gettin’ into your garden, right? Nah, you gonna bring him a pie, ask about his family, and then, real casual-like, mention you need a hand with the plowin’. That’s what I call strategically polite.
- It’s about gettin’ what you want without bein’ a meanie.
- It’s about keepin’ the peace, even when you’re itchin’ to give someone a piece of your mind.
- It’s about smart talkin’, not loud talkin’.
Why be “strategically polite”?
Well, shoot, it just makes life easier! You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, that’s what my mama always said. If you go around stompin’ your feet and demandin’ things, folks ain’t gonna be too keen on helpin’ you out. But if you’re sweet as pie, well, they might just give you the whole darn bakery!
Think of it like this: you want somethin’ from the store, but you ain’t got the money right now. You gonna go in there and yell at the store owner? Course not! You gonna sweet-talk him, promise to pay him back next week, maybe even offer to bake him a cake. That’s bein’ strategically polite. And more often than not, it works!
Examples of “strategically polite” behavior:
Let’s say you got a pesky salesman knockin’ on your door, tryin’ to sell you somethin’ you don’t need, like one of them fancy vacuum cleaners. You could slam the door in his face, sure. But that ain’t polite, is it? Instead, you might say somethin’ like, “Oh, that’s a mighty fine lookin’ machine, but I just got myself a new one last week. Maybe come back next year.” See? You ain’t lyin’, exactly, and you ain’t bein’ rude. You’re just…strategically polite.
Or maybe you’re at a church potluck and someone brings a dish that tastes like old shoes. You ain’t gonna spit it out and say, “This here tastes like garbage!” Nope, you gonna smile, take a tiny bite, and say, “Well, isn’t that…interesting!” That’s bein’ strategically polite. Saves everyone’s feelin’s and keeps the peace.
Another good example is when you’re dealin’ with them government folks. You might not agree with what they’re sayin’, but yellin’ at ‘em ain’t gonna get you nowhere. You gotta be polite, listen to what they gotta say, and then, real gentle-like, explain your side of things. That’s how you get things done, see? By bein’ strategically polite.
So, what’s the word for “strategically polite”?
Now, them crossword puzzle folks, they got a fancy word for it. They call it “diplomatic.” Sounds like somethin’ them ambassadors do, right? But it’s the same idea. Bein’ nice, bein’ smooth, gettin’ what you want without causin’ a fuss. That’s bein’ diplomatic. That’s bein’ strategically polite.
So, there you have it. That’s the long and short of bein’ strategically polite. It ain’t about bein’ fake, it’s about bein’ smart. It’s about knowin’ how to talk to folks, how to get along, and how to get what you want without steppin’ on too many toes. And that, my friends, is a skill worth havin’, no matter where you come from or how you were raised.
Tags: [politeness, strategy, diplomacy, social skills, communication, interaction, behavior, etiquette, crossword, clue]
