Why We Do It

Civility Matters

Civility in America continues to erode and rude behavior is becoming our “new normal,” according to the fourth annual study on Civility in America: A Nationwide Survey, conducted by global public relations firm Weber Shandwick and public affairs firm Powell Tate in partnership with KRC Research.

Recent studies found that 70 percent of Americans believe incivility has reached crisis proportions. With Americans encountering incivility more than twice a day on average (2.4 times per day), and 43 percent expecting to experience incivility in the next 24 hours, dealing with incivility has become a way of life for many. Additionally, 81 percent of Americans think that incivility is leading to an increase in violence.

Politicians, America’s youth, the media and the Internet are assigned most responsibility for the problem. Most notably, for the first time since the survey began in 2010, the internet/social media has risen into the top ranks of perceived causes of incivility.

“An alarming fact is that 81% believe uncivil behavior is leading to an increase in violence.”
Pam Jenkins President, Powell Tate

“Incivility can be the enemy of a collaborative culture. We know that the key to a positive, productive, engaging culture is listening, understanding and responding to concerns about behavior quickly and ensuring that leadership sets the tone for meaningful, respectful interaction.”
 Andy Polansky , CEO, Weber Shandwick