Has the world lost the ability to use common courtesy?

I just read an article on how wrong it was to use the words, “touch base.” Then I read the comments and they ranged from agreeing with the author to being arrogant and self-righteous. Over terminology?

When did we misplace common courtesy?

I’ve just started to set up my first CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. I actually have a stage set up to “touch base” with the contact and I thought that was a good thing. Not so,  according to the author of the article:

Years ago, after hearing the phrase thousands of times, I set a personal rule for myself that I will never return a phone call or email to anyone who says they “Want to touch base with me”.

I guess I’ve been in the dark. No one told me that was a rule. I think we spend too much time arguing over semantics and failing to be just kind to one another. By the way, the article didn’t offer solutions, it just offered a link to their sales training.

For example, follow-up with job seekers

I don’t think there is a single job seeker who would be offended if a hiring manager contacted them just to touch base and let them know they were still in the running for the job. Baseball terminology or not, most job seekers complain more about lack of contact than too much.

I think we need to interject much more kindness, common courtesy, and being polite into our interactions. I am happy when a client connects with me on LinkedIn or Facebook and just wants to touch base with me on how my business is going or let me know that they love their new job.

Let’s work on being kinder and stop being so cranky about terminology. What do you think? If I touch base with you next week to see how you are doing, will that be ok? It would be great if you would touch base with me!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net