Be a gc, nz.
new zealand is experiencing an epidemic of rudeness and disrespect.
New Zealand has become a discourteous place to live.
From the bars in our cities to the cars on our roads, from Parliament to our pavements, we no longer consistently treat each other with the simple respects that make life among large numbers of people tolerable.
Rudeness, aggression, and even violence towards one another have become commonplace.
Our behaviour is diminishing us both as a people and as a society - and it’s costing us millions.
It has to change.
“United we stand, divided we fall.” - Aesop
we can do better, nz.
Respect NZ is a Charitable Trust with one simple mission: to restore New Zealand to a courteous and respectful way of life.
Manners dignify both the giver and the recipient. They cost nothing to use, and create a feel-good cascade of hormones in the brain.
You don’t have to like people or agree with their point of view to exercise courtesy. Showing respect to one another isn’t about the “Politics of Kindness.”
The most simple respects for each other mean we could all enjoy a happier, more pleasant society to be in - and at no cost to ourselves.
That’s why our behaviour matters.
We’re all paying the price.
As well as a much less pleasant society to live in, our lack of courtesy is costing us millions.
Frontline workers are especially affected by rudeness, aggression, and violence, with their self-esteem, mental health, and wellbeing all suffering.
It’s costing our businesses millions in staff turnover, absenteeism, sick days, and low morale, and it’s costing us all as taxpayers, too.
COMMON COURTESY IS COMMON GROUND.
No matter what our political, cultural, religious, or idealogical affiliations, common courtesy is a common ground we can all stand on together.
It’s time to restore simple respect to our public discourse, to our roads, our retail environments, and each other.
We’ll all be so much happier for it.
