Breaking Down the Civility Rules

According to Forni's book, here are the 25 rules of considerate conduct with a breakdown from yours truly.

1. Pay attention - Huh? I'm sorry, I was asleep.
   
2. Acknowledge others - I suppose that Forni didn't mean by whipping it out, but rather with a hello or a wave.
   
3. Think the best - The best of or about what? Is this supposed to be some call for everyone to be optimistic? What about realism?
   
4. Listen - Deaf people need not apply.
   
5. Be inclusive - I play in the HoCo kickball league. I definitely would not include some of those people in the league if I had my way.
   
6. Speak kindly - All the time? "Gee, that murdered in Wilde Lake sure is a family man."
   
7. Don't speak ill - We should probably just lump six and seven together. And from my above sentence, I should remove "murderer" since that term has ill connotations.
   
8. Accept and give praise - Not either/or?
   
9. Respect even a subtle "no" - No does mean no, unless following with "t normally."
   
10. Respect others' opinions - No matter how wrong someone is, they don't deserve to be ridiculed.
    
11. Mind your body - But, for God's sake, don't do it in public. Like on the Fitness Trail off of Lake Kittamaqundi.
    
12. Be agreeable - Sure.
    
13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence) - Merriweather Post Pavilion says Hi.
    
14. Respect other people's time - Hold on a minute while I think of something.
    
15. Respect other people's space - We have a list of crimes dedicated to this rule. It's not ground breaking.
    
16. Apologize earnestly - I'm sorry for writing this blog.
    
17. Assert yourself - Wait! No I'm not!
    
18. Avoid personal questions - Like, "Have you ever seen a dead body?"
    
19. Care for your guests - I guess I will put that smallpox blanket away now.
    
20. Be a considerate guest - A perfect illustration of this is burping aloud after a great meal.
    
21. Think twice before asking for favors - The lesson is that hiring a prostitute is still against the law, even if it's called a favor.
    
22. Refrain from idle complaints - I hate having to pay $4/gallon for gas.
    
23. Accept and give constructive criticism - You suck. No, I do not suck.
    
24. Respect the environment and be gentle to animals - Kicking a dog is out, huh? Ooookkkk...fine.
    
25. Don't shift responsibility and blame - Don't tell me what to do. You're the one who made the list.