Etiquette of Dialogue and Discussion with Others

What is the Etiquette of Dialogue?

Dialogue etiquette is a set of rules and protocols that the interlocutors must abide by, which raise the quality and efficiency of the dialogue and make it effective and positive.

Commitment to the etiquette of the dialogue between the speakers makes it purposeful and gives the two interlocutors the ability to present their opinion clearly, listen to the other opinion, and understand its intent accurately without any ambiguity.

1. Pay attention to the tone of voice

If we want to have a good dialogue in which all parties hear all of what is stated, we must speak in an audible and unobtrusive tone to others. This is because a loud voice, which we may reach in some stages of impulsiveness and enthusiasm, would alienate the listeners from speaking and affect the quality of the dialogue.

2. Good listening

Listening is among the factors that positively affect the dialogue process and make the speaker feel the importance of what they say. Attention must be paid to the importance of expressing listening to the speaker by nodding the head, interacting with them in body language, making direct eye contact, and listening to their body language in addition to the language of their speech.

3. Avoid interrupting others

Interrupting the person speaking is the most likely way to harm the dialogue and waste its information. It is unacceptable whether it stems from emotion or enthusiasm, from admiration for the speaker's speech, or from disagreement with them. The interruption leads to wasting the context of a conversation and distracting the spearker’s thoughts.

They may forget what they wanted to say because of interruptions from others. Therefore, the listeners must postpone their interventions and questions until the speaker finishes their speech to avoid losing some information from the conversation and interrupting its sequence.

4. Avoid making fun of the conversation and ridiculing it

Mocking the speech of the person speaking and ridiculing what they say is one of the methods of mocking the speech and belittling the value of the speaker. This matter pushes them to stop presenting their ideas and to stop speaking altogether. These behaviors lead to a gap between the speaker and the listener, especially if they are used between parents and their teenage children.

On the other hand, speaking seriously in a jovial conversation between family and friends is equivalent in effect to speaking sarcastically during a serious conversation.

5. Think before you speak

It is necessary to think about the word and its implications and effects before uttering it. It is certain that we have heard a lot about disagreements and problems caused by the haste of one speaker in pronouncing their words without thinking carefully about them.

6. Pay attention to the body language of the listeners

Paying attention to the body language of the listeners helps to extrapolate their attitudes and feelings towards the conversation. If they seem bored, they must be as short as possible, make room for other people's participation in the dialogue, or change the topic at hand. This is according to the adjective of the speaker.

Yawning, stepping back during the session, and losing eye contact are among the indications that the listeners are not in harmony with the speaker and that they are bored with the conversation.

7. Prepare a list of key points for the dialogue

If the dialogue is of a formal nature, this point helps to prepare interesting titles for the listeners and to prepare interactive questions with them. This enriches the dialogue and enhances participation in it.

8. Stick to Boundaries

Addressing private topics is unacceptable in dialogues, with the exception of dialogues between doctors and patients and some special cases. Addressing personal questions is considered a disincentive to dialogue with someone, and asking about religious and political opinions is also not desirable in dialogues. It is also not desirable to ask the other about their monthly salary and other details that concern them alone.

9. Humility during conversation

No one knows everything; therefore, there's no need for an arrogant tone when speaking to others about a topic they know little about. This is because it may simply not be within their area of ​​interest, and they certainly possess information on subjects the arrogant person has no idea about.

10. Respecting the speaker

This is done by giving the conversation your full attention, without being distracted by your mobile phone, flipping through television channels, or abruptly changing the subject.

Definition of Dialogue

A dialogue is a direct discussion that takes place between at least two parties in which the speakers exchange opinions and viewpoints on a specific topic or different topics. The dialogue uses language as a tool of understanding between the speakers, and body language adds its touches and affirmations, explaining what words cannot explain.

If the dialogue is about a constructive and purposeful topic, it will be positive. To describe the dialogue as good, it is required to come out of it with new ideas or serious information or to bring about a change, even a small one, in the beliefs of individuals. But if a person ends the dialogue with nothing, then this dialogue falls under the category of idle talk and a waste of time.

Importance and benefits of dialogue

The importance of dialogue is evident in the fact that it is the best way to communicate, resolve conflicts, and reach a solution that suits all parties. The language of dialogue is the language that people use to get to know each other, to persuade one party of the other's point of view, to communicate between teachers and students, and between parents and children. It is a tool for reform and advocacy in society.

Etiquette of Dialogue with the Husband

The dialogue between the spouses is a discussion that must be dominated by the affection and mercy that prevail in the relationship between them, and this is done by following these steps:

1. Choosing the appropriate time for the dialogue: it is preferable that the two parties are comfortable and that they are alone, away from the children, in order to avoid the dispersion of the conversation or the heated discussion in front of them.
2. Avoid provoking the husband in order to avoid turning the dialogue into a quarrel.
3. In the event that the husband is upset or angry, the wife must listen to him until he calms down and absorbs his anger wisely before starting the subject of the dialogue.
4. Listen to the husband until he finishes his speech and avoid interrupting him.
5. Do not redicule the husband's words or thoughts.
6. Apologize for a mistake and retract it, and not clinging to an opinion.
7. Tolerate lapses and slips of the tongue that may come out and understand matters in good faith.

Etiquette of Dialogue Between Two People

The etiquette of dialogue between two people is used to help each of them express themselves and their ideas and to guarantee their acceptance by the other party and a correct and unambiguous understanding.

Among these etiquette:

1. Listening to the person who is speaking and look them directly in the eye.
2. Not interrupting the speaker or distracting them from their conversation with side matters.
3. Not mocking or ridiculing the speaker's thoughts and words.
4. Listening to the speaker until the end of their speech and not making accusations or judgments before that.
5. Speaking in an audible voice and use understandable language and terminology that the listener understands.
6. Not monopolizing the conversation and allowing the other to share their opinions and ideas.
7. Avoid raising your voice and using obscene words during the dialogue.
8. Refrain from calling the addressee by nicknames that they do not like.
9. Supporting scientific dialogue with evidence.

Etiquette of Dialogue with Parents

The etiquette of dialogue with parents consists of following these rules:

1. Listen to their conversation and not interrupting it.
2. Do not argue with them.
3. Do not get tired of their words.
4. Look at them during their conversation with humility and obedience.
5. Do not raise your voice to them.
6. Do not mock their ideas and call them traditional and irrelevant.
7. Do not sit while your parents are standing and talking.
8. Sit politely in their council.
9. Choose good words while talking with them.

Etiquette for Talking with Children

The etiquette of talking to children is the same as the etiquette of talking to adults. This is because children, despite their young age, are independent beings with personalities and feelings, but they lack experiences.

It should be noted that children learn the etiquette of speaking by example from their parents and teachers, for the guardian's or teacher's conversation with them in a quiet voice is a thousand times more effective than teaching them the phrase "speak in a low voice." There are some steps that must be followed in order for the dialogue with children to be effective:

1. Bend a little until your gaze is at the same level as the child's, creating eye contact with them.
2. Speak in a calm, low voice.
3. Use simple and short words because children are quickly distracted.
4. Be complimentary and non-judgmental about the child's character. For example, we say, “We throw papers in the trash,” not, “Do not throw papers on the ground, or why is the ground full of papers?”
5. Do not give the child nicknames that they don’t like or that weaken their self-confidence.
6. Avoid directing and reprimanding the child in front of others.
7. Listen to the child's speech and don’t make fun of them or ignore them.

The child will apply all these steps in their conversation with others. This is because they was raised on these methods of dialogue.

Dialogue etiquette is a set of basics that ensure the conduct of discussion in a friendly and positive way and is keen to communicate ideas and goals through easy words, without emotions that would change the course of the conversation and deviate from its goal.

Therefore, following these etiquette rules will help people communicate, interact, and express themselves in a better way that guarantees their interest and pleasure in their conversations.