Being friendly and courteous, respectful... I choose to be that way because that's how I expect other people to treat me. There's nothing weak about being polite. It just goes with living in a civilized society. I always say please and thank you, make eye contact and smile, try to be approachable. Why NOT be like that?
But there's a difference between being polite because you "get it" and being a push-over. Sometimes people will use you, and if you're overly polite after something like that happens, is when weakness comes into the picture. Always be assertive, always stick up for yourself. If there's a problem with someone else, for me I just write them off mentally, but still remain "civil". At that point it's about respecting yourself and your boundaries, yet choosing to be the bigger person.
Also, dont' be too concerned with the feelings of other people, like, if they like or approve of you or not. That's weakness. If you are a decent person, and treat people with respect, you don't really need to be actively conscious of whether or not you are being polite. It's just a decency that comes out of you. No thinking necessary.  |