Be cordial. Be kind. Be tactful. None of these are difficult concepts. We are taught them when we are young. Our pre-school teachers made sure that we followed these rules when we were but 2 or 3. And yet, many people appear to have forgotten these very simple rules.

It is possible when we disagree with another person to keep these rules in mind. We can express what we are feeling and needing without resorting to name-calling, being degrading or being just plain mean. These same rules need to apply of we are talking to our partners, our children, our co-workers or political foes.

Communication simply stops when we begun to yell and say hurtful things. If your goal is for your “opponent” to listen to you, then follow my rules. If your goal is to create an atmosphere of hurt and distrust and non-cooperation, then do the opposite of these rules.

However, if we create an environment where it is safe to express our opinions, where we can discuss our differences and perhaps even honor them, then we can perhaps move towards a compromise that works for both sides.

But only if we are cordial, kind and tactful.