Couth is an old word not used much anymore. Usually, you hear it used as uncouth. If your recollection is failing on its definition, couth means well-mannered, refinement. At the recent coronation of King Charles, the world witness the utmost personification of the word. Decorum. Cultured. Civilized. Polite. B Couth is actually the personalized car tag my husband and I had early in our marriage. It always prompted questions, and we were more than delighted to explain it.
In recent weeks, I have found myself growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of couth in our society--in Zoom meetings, ceremonies, and even church services. I understand that our digital and remote work of today has eliminated the opportunities for water-cooler dialogue, lunchtime chats, and hallway banter. I accept that the beginning of most virtual meetings will always be filled with time asking about each other's day, weekend plans, or the local weather. Humans crave that connectedness. However, once the meeting has begun, decorum often is not established. I found myself in a Zoom meeting on the serious topic of mental health recently. Attendees though were exchanging chat messages both on the platform and outside of it to the point the presenter had to stop because it was clear folks were laughing at inside jokes, checking their phones or a second monitor for messages, and simply not paying attention. What a shame.
I encourage us as professionals to consider our actions. Understand when it is time to be jovial and ask about life outside of work. Also, understand when it is time to turn our attention fully to the business at hand. It is no fun for people to constantly repeat themselves because one or two people can't focus on the topic at hand or there are side chats taking place or they are multi-tasking. That's a disservice to the person presenting as well as all of the others in attendance.
So if you see a car tag that says B Couth driving around, know it is my personal campaign to return a bit of it back to our society. And, feel free to use it as an opportunity to start the conversation about what it means.
Comments