Keep The Channels Of Communication Open

[Spiorad_Aisce]

Introduction:

When preparing for the #BATTLEROYALE contest, you knew you had to write takes on 4 topics, 1 per week for four weeks but you didn't get the topic until the Monday of each week. First I had a look at the topic list, there are 21 topics on GaG currently. Then I wondered if I would be able to group them and I got them down to 6. Next I thought was there any take idea that could be used as a crossover. When I thought about "Healthy Communication And Interaction", I realised that it could be used in about 16/17 of the topics and on further reflection I realised "Healthy" was the most important word therefore "Health & Fitness" was the most obvious topic for a take about this very important subject matter.

There are many types of relationships with several interaction types not just oral. I believe if we look at all these relational interactions from a moral point of view, it is as good a place to start as any. The moral structure of any relationship can create an environment and all these environments create our society. I want to look at four thought processes, the first 3 are societal relationships with perceived rules and the last point is personal relationships that make their own rules.

(1) Professional Relationships:

First of all, let me say that many of the relationships that I talk about may have examples where they moral laws are not being obeyed but lets talk about what we should aspire to, this point covers all the relationship types I mention.

(1a) Employee/Employer - The employee promises to do their best for the employer's business and to interact respectfully with employer so the business can continue for the benefit of the employer/employee and its customers. The employer in turn promises to treat the employee fairly, pay them fairly, interact respectfully with the employee and keep them fully informed of developments. Also both can discuss how to improve the business on an equal footing.

(1b) Service User/Service Provider - The Service User promises to use the service fairly, pay for the service fairly and interact respectfully with the other people involved. The Service Provider should offer a service/product to the highest standards possible at that moment in time, charge a fair price and interact respectfully with the other people involved. Also both can discuss how to improve the service on an equal footing.

(2) Professional Care Relationships -

(2a) Member Of Society/State - This one can be very contentious because there are so many political ideologies. In the purest sense, the member of the society gives what they can through a fair system of taxation and communicates their needs. The state should respond by using the money raised and addressing the needs of all as fairly as they can. As I said this is a very pure example that is complicated by different beliefs and the solutions that each belief offer to current problems but societies need infrastructure, fair education, fair healthcare, fair welfare, a fair environment and a fair opportunity for economic progression. In agreement with the opening paragraph, both sides should try to approach this matter with full effort/participation and interact with respect. Also both can discuss how to improve the situation on an equal footing.

(2b) Student/Teacher - Less global than (2a) but the Student tries their best and the teacher gives the lesson as skilfully as they can again interacting with respect. Also both can discuss how to improve the situation on an equal footing.

(2c) Client/Professional Carer - Here we could be talking about anything from a doctor to a counsellor. The client gives the session their best shot and the professional tries to help them as best they can , again all done with respectful interaction. Also both can discuss how to improve the situation on an equal footing.

(3c) Pure Care Relationships - The ones that come to mind are Children/Parents and Wards/Guardians (Whether in the latter case it is official or unofficial). The Child or the Ward tries to stay within the fair boundaries set and the Parent/Guardian usually tries to unconditionally care for those they are responsible for. As always with the caveat of fair and respectful interaction. Also both can discuss how to improve the situation on an equal footing.

(4) Interpersonal Relationships - Here we look at romantic relationships, familial relationships (outside that of Child/Parent and Ward/Guardian), friendships and outside interaction with other people not covered so far. All these have no particular preconceived rules or precedents, it is up to you to set your own guidelines.

(4a) Everyone Is Equal - All people involved in these relationships have equal and fair opportunity to choose roles, choose how to distribute the power, choose the dynamic, choose the direction of the relationship. The duties/commitments and the rewards are shared out according to the equal wishes/demands of both. Both treat each other with respect.

(4b) It Is Our Relationship - So we are really alike, really different, never really thought of you as a couple/friends or close family members. What difference does it make? - As long as we are happy.

(4c) Choose The Role You Want - If you prefer to be the submissive member of the dynamic and the other person wants to be the dominant partner/friend or family member, go for it.

(4d) Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses, Appreciate How You Compliment Each Other - I always remember how good my parents were in a crisis. My mother is great in the emotional sense, good at giving comfort, crying with people, being angry with people who want to rant and containing a freak out. My father was great at getting things done that needed to be done, organising things no fuss, if you asked him to do something, he would go away and when he came back, he would just say that "It's done or as near to an alternative has been organised". Both would have said they were crap at what the other person did but they were a brilliant tag team to have in your corner for a crisis.

(4f) All Of The Above Would Not Work Without :- Full and honest communication, willingness to discuss the good and bad stuff on a equal footing. Also the promise to try your hardest from your side of the relationship equation in a fair and respectful manner.

(4g) All Other People :- This point is same as (4f) but just in a less intimate manner.

Conclusion:

This has been a very aspirational take but should we not look to have the moral courage to treat each other in all relationships as equally as we can, as fairly as we can, free from abuse and encourage positivity, constructiveness while aiding each other. Believe that treating each other with manners and kindness is the right thing to do, not a chore. Everyone has the right to have the same opportunities as everybody else. This can only happen if we allow everyone to communicate fully and keep the lines of communication open.

Thanks for reading.

[EmpatheticLady]

I like how you broke down everything to help explain it better. All the quotes about communication are true as well. I do admit that I sometimes struggle with this myself because I dislike confrontation and hurting feelings unintentionally. Some people can take things the wrong way unfortunately and the attempt to talk is shut down or blown up.

[Spiorad_Aisce]

As you say a lot of these aspirational takes are written from a step back and in a cold light of day sense but I believe it is a case of trying to stay as close to that mould rather than letting circumstances overtake you even if you feel they have you can come back with a cooler head later. Nothing is perfect or the world would be ideal but I find if you stay close to these principles it gives you a good start.