Courtesy Quote by Kent Nerburn
““Our young people, raised under the old rules of courtesy, never indulged in the present habit of talking incessantly and all at the same time. To do so would have been not only impolite, but foolish; for poise, so much admired as a social grace, could not be accompanied by restlessness. Pauses were acknowledged gracefully and did not cause lack of ease or embarrassment.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Observations on Modern Etiquette, 2015
Constant multitalk erodes poise and social grace; thoughtful pauses maintain respect and ease.
In simple terms: Talking nonstop hurts politeness.
Key Takeaway
Value pauses in conversation.
Themes
communication
etiquette
mindfulness
Mood
contemplative
calm
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meetings
- family dinners
- online chats
Key Concepts
social grace
attention management
Questions to Reflect On
- How do pauses affect listening?
- Can silence improve dialogue?
A Different Perspective
People may view pauses as awkward.
