The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-07-16
CONCERNING COURTESY.

The crusade in behalf OF courtesy
taken up by the big corporations is
becoming nationwide. 1t was first be-
gun by the railway people who realized
that courtesy was a part Of the ser
vice sold to their patrons-and no
small part, either. They soon recog-
nized the fact that proper functions
could not be successfully performed in
an atmosphere of hostility and rude
ness-engendered by discourteous rep
resentatives.
The telegraph companies have Joined
with the railroads in an effort to give
patrons Of the company more cour-
teous treatment. One particular in
which the public is especially deserv-
ing of consideration is stressed by the
Western Unions letter in the following
paragraph:
In a highly complex and technical
business such as that of the telegraph
company there are many things that
you with your training and daily ex-
perience understand with perfect ia
miliarity, but which the public do not
understand Therefore, do not assume
that the public should understand them
without asking questions, but when
they make inquiry of you give them
the courtesy of a reply just as full and
clear as you can make 1t and without
any suggestion OF superiority born Of
greater knowledge.
Everyone familiar with the employee
who greets a request for information
with the PARKWAY look or stony stare
which makes the inquirer shriveI up
with a realization of his own insig-
nifcance in the presence of the dig
nitary whom he has been so bold aa
to disturb.
Happily his kind Is becoming ex-
tine. The far-sighted officials OF his
company are attending to that
1t is undoubtedly a fact, however,
that the patience Of employees of pub
lie service corporations and all en-
ployes for that matter are sorely tried
at times by cranks and the foolish ones
but they are a part Of the public
and must be served also.
The principles of politeness as set
forth by the Western Union are:
The principle that underlies courteous
treatment Of others is simply that of
doing unto others as you would they
should do unto you.
Words are only one means Of ex-
preston, and manner is quite as i'm
portant. Therefore, remember that a
kindly and gracious manner is not only
the sign and mark of elf-respecting
man, but is to your words what oil is
to machinery in making them move eff
fectively to their purpose.
True courtesy is no respecter Of
persons. 1t remembers that "a mans a
man for a. that" and gives the civil
word and the helping hand quite as
readily to the ill-clad stranger as to
an official Of the company.
Courtesy is not only something the
public have right to expect of you,
but it pays. ....
1t pays in the friends it makes you
personally and as a representative Of
the company.
1t pays in minimizing the friction of
your life, as we'll as that between the
company and its patrons.
1t pays in raising yaur standing with
the company.
1t pays in the personal satisfaction
resulting from having done the right
and kindly thing by your "neighbor."
1t is the wish Of the management Of
this company that all it's representa-
tives whose work brings them into
contact with the public may appre-
ciate and fully measure up to their
duty and privilege in this respect.