Archive | Common Courtesy

Hippies love God too

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 14, 2017

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work

There is an old expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” which rings true in many situations. When I tell people I am a social psychologist, they usually have no idea what I mean, but upon hearing the word, “psychologist,” they often jump to conclusions regarding my personality, political orientation, religious affiliation, and much […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 14, 2017

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work

I was raised in a very religious family; Mother was the pastor’s secretary, Dad was a deacon, and I attended a church affiliated high school, I, too, have seen many people who were active in organized religion in various ways. My observations were, however, that the degree of authenticity of people’s beliefs varied and were […]

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I am of the Universe

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 7, 2017

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

Here is some free advice: Do everything you can to avoid attending someone else’s class reunion.  No one wants to meet anyone new at a class reunion; everyone is there to see their old friends.  And, the person who brings you as the “plus one” will ignore you during the reunion to spend time with […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 7, 2017

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

Sometimes, you just don’t know how things are going to play out. This was as a class reunion for a (my) dysfunctional high school class, the only get together since the staid 11½ year reunion – and now this attempt, at about 37 years post graduation. It started innocently enough as an idea between a […]

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That (ugly) blue nail polish is a tribute to mom

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 21, 2017

Category: Business personalities, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

Mom’s favorite color was blue.  Her bedroom was decorated in hues of blue and her kitchen was accented in blue.  Her china was, of course, “Blue Willow,” a design pattern originating in the late 1700s.  One of her favorite songs was “Blues in the Night” by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer.  I could go on, […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 21, 2017

Category: Business personalities, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Psychology

Fortunately for me, blue is one of my 2 favorite colors.  The other, since childhood, is orange (only certain shades) and this is not because I’m a Gator fan, I’m not – nothing personal – I’m just not.  So, I don’t know why, I just like orange, near the dark ochre side, like Uluru, or […]

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Self monitor – listen before speaking

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 16, 2017

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Litigation Tips, Psychology

Sometimes, without intention, a theme emerges in writing these posts. Today is a case in point as I’ve written about egos and bragging. Along the way I’ve mentioned “self monitoring,” a term from psychology that Melissa can, and I’m sure will, define better than I can. My take away on describing it is one’s ability […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 16, 2017

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Litigation Tips, Psychology

Self monitoring was defined in the 1970s by Dr. Mark Snyder, a social psychologist, as the degree to which an individual is aware of, and in control of, his/her self presentations. Self monitoring is a personality trait that is possessed by everyone, although in varying amounts. Just as with other personality dimensions, most people are […]

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It ain’t bragging if it’s true

The late bass player extraordinaire, Jaco Pastorius, used to introduce himself as “The world’s greatest bass player.” To anyone who took offense, he replied, “It ain’t bragging if it’s true.” I am fortunate to possess high self esteem. I know what I am good at and, just as important, I am aware of areas in […]

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Okay, for starters, Melissa does make great spaghetti, but that is not the point of this post.  The point is how to get through life when one knows they are the best at, or at least really good at, something.  It seems that, in many western cultures, being proud of one’s abilities, achievements, or possessions, […]

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Lawyer Egos

When writing the post about “It ain’t bragging if it is true,” I paused for a minute thinking about how a high impression of oneself – a big ego – is necessary in some settings. Mick Jagger would not be strutting his stuff in front of thousands of people if he didn’t have the ego […]

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Although my job working for lawyers with big egos can sometimes be challenging, it also provides me with many fun experiences. When I am in the presence of attorneys who have over sized egos, I search for ways to find common ground, as a way to foster rapport with them so that they will know […]

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When not to smile

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 7, 2017

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work

I wrote in a previous post that I often smile at strangers while I am looking them in the eye, particularly if they appear threatening. In this situation, I am using my smile as a way to deflect a negative event. In general, however, I am not a smiley person. I have often been criticized […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 7, 2017

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work

Smiles, as simple as they are, can be inappropriate or misunderstood. Smiling, as a way to share positive vibes, is, perhaps, a one way action. It may not, as Melissa noted, be appropriate to expect a smile in return. The world can be a difficult place for many – and smiling may not be in […]

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Smile at people

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 31, 2017

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Trial Consulting

I took a women’s self defense class with friend of mine. I learned many valuable things that I have put into practice since then. I also learned that my education and skills as a social psychologist have been paying off as they apply to my interactions with strangers, including those who might have an intent […]

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I sometimes have to cogitate on these posts before writing, especially when responding as 2nd blogger. This topic is one of those so I read Melissa’s writing and then I have been thinking about it. Part of that thinking about it has been to pay attention to people on the street. Do they smile? Do […]

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Do you really know what I’m thinking? Do you want to know?

In this final post inspired by a dreadful meeting David and I recently attended, I will cover a dangerous game played by some people. These people, none of whom are psychologists (or our counterparts in the medical field, psychiatrists), have an inflated sense of self and often believe other people share in their belief that […]

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There are several takeaway lessons from the fateful meeting which prompted this series of posts. One is definitely “know what you don’t know.” A favorite professor of mine once told me about the difference between smart, and not so smart, people. The smart ones know they don’t know it all and try to learn what […]

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A woman can be, and is, the boss

I have written several previous posts about sexism and its prevalence in many aspects of today’s society. Although there are numerous examples of the removal of gender barriers in many segments of the business world, there remains, in my opinion, an assumption among many people that, being “the boss” means being a man (and a […]

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I have always been cognizant of the risks of assumptions – there is that adage about assuming which works pretty well. I want to know who’s who and would never want to “step in it” as the person Melissa describes. My career is fairly unique in that I have mostly had women bosses. Even now, […]

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