These information comes from personal interviews. To protect their privacy, we use A, B, and C to represent their names.
What are some constructions of (im)politeness based on lived experiences of some African American women?
How does (im)politeness work across cultures?
A- It depends on the culture. Something are impolite to one person but it's not the same. You have to think about how people interact within the culture and decide whether it's impolite or not. (A. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
C- It takes cultural sensitivity and learning about other cultures to even know things that are acceptable or unacceptable. For example, I am going to Nigeria, and there it's really disrespectful to shake somebody's hand with your left hand, or to hand them things with your left hand. It makes people really angry so you have to do things with right hand. (C. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
C- It takes cultural sensitivity and learning about other cultures to even know things that are acceptable or unacceptable. For example, I am going to Nigeria, and there it's really disrespectful to shake somebody's hand with your left hand, or to hand them things with your left hand. It makes people really angry so you have to do things with right hand. (C. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
How does it work within the African American community?
A - Us being mentors I think we can speak on that because sometimes we get frustrated with the girls because we think they are impolite or not engaging. But when we talk to the girls they tell us they do enjoy it and appreciate our time. Sometimes it's not necessarily them being impolite, they just have a tough exterior. (A. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
C- And then there's other instances, it varies, it depends on whether you're among friends or if you're in a professional setting in how you'll display your politeness. Because you may joke around with your friends, but somebody looking in from the outside might say it was impolite to call them that name. (C. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
C- And then there's other instances, it varies, it depends on whether you're among friends or if you're in a professional setting in how you'll display your politeness. Because you may joke around with your friends, but somebody looking in from the outside might say it was impolite to call them that name. (C. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
Why is (im)politeness important?
A - It gives something for people to judge you on or base you on. It is important to your character and defining who you are. When I was younger, I would get in trouble or be considered a bad child for disrespecting elders. (A. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
B - It's acknowledging when you're wrong. I get told I'm too polite and I apologize when it is unnecessary. In regards of being impolite, It says a lot about a person. If a person is portrayed as impolite I might wonder what they are going through or why they are being mean or rude. So I think it's a deeper meaning of being impolite. (B. Smith, April, 10 ,2014)
C- I really like talking to older African American women and hearing their stories. And I know one women really well that I will call, and say things like "What's happenin' cap'n?" or "What's cookin' home skillet?" and she will just laugh. And sometimes she will say "you ol' heffa you!" You know someone looking in might say why did she just call you a cow...?! But its really a term of endearment. (C. Smith, April, 10, 2014)
B - It's acknowledging when you're wrong. I get told I'm too polite and I apologize when it is unnecessary. In regards of being impolite, It says a lot about a person. If a person is portrayed as impolite I might wonder what they are going through or why they are being mean or rude. So I think it's a deeper meaning of being impolite. (B. Smith, April, 10 ,2014)
C- I really like talking to older African American women and hearing their stories. And I know one women really well that I will call, and say things like "What's happenin' cap'n?" or "What's cookin' home skillet?" and she will just laugh. And sometimes she will say "you ol' heffa you!" You know someone looking in might say why did she just call you a cow...?! But its really a term of endearment. (C. Smith, April, 10, 2014)