In today’s fast paced, ever changing, techno world, we’ve forgotten the simple, important things in life. One of those things is human interaction. I did not develop the following list, but I have modified it over the years. When I taught (no matter what the course was), I handed this out to my students as a reminder that we are all humans and should be treated with respect.

1. Talk to people. Nothing is as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile.
3. Call people by name. To many, the sweetest music is the sound of their own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as though everything you do is a genuine pleasure.
6. Have a true interest in people. Recognize the uniqueness of others.
7. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate of the feelings of others. There are two or three sides to a controversy: yours, the other side, and, at times, the right one.
9. Be thoughtful of the opinions of others.
10. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others. Give more than you take.