SAY SOMETHING NICE!

The Post and Courier |Editorial

      THURSDAY, JUNE 01, 2006 12:00 AM
      Happy 'Say Something Nice Day'

      Today isn't just the start of hurricane season. It's the start of
      "Effective Communications Month." And North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey
      has effectively communicated an upbeat message by proclaiming this "Say
      Something Nice Day" in his city.
      That wording is borrowed from "Say Something Nice: Be A Lifter," the title
      of a booklet by Dr. Mitch Carnell, who served as head of the Charleston
      Speech and Hearing Center for more than 35 years. Dr. Carnell, a certified
      speech language pathologist, who conducts communications workshops for
      North Charleston and other public and private enterprises, elaborated on
      that advice Tuesday. He stressed to us the reciprocal benefits that
      generally arise from positive remarks - "particularly to the first person
      you meet every day, because it can set the tone."
      Dr. Carnell decries contagious "negativity," explaining: "If the first
      person you meet in your day says something nice to you, you get a smile on
      your face. If the person says something ugly, you start out on a bad foot."
      As Mayor Summey put it in his "Say Something Nice" proclamation, "The city
      of North Charleston strives to promote a sense of community with all of
      our employees and citizens by promoting better communications."
      Those are admirable goals for any community, group or individual. So start
      out your month, day, and, yes, even the 2006 hurricane season out well by
      following the "Say Something Nice" advice of Dr. Carnell and Mayor Summey.
      Otherwise, you might say something not so nice ? and somebody might
      respond accordingly.

      
      This article was printed via the web on 6/1/2006 11:12:06 AM . This article
      appeared in The Post and Courier and updated online at Charleston.net on
      Thursday, June 01, 2006.