Guard Your Words and Actions in the Real World

I wish the whole world lived by the Prescriptive Rules^®. Have you ever been out with friends and had the deep desire to ask them to Guard their Words and Actions or to Get Help? Maybe working at ELI’s corporate offices has spoiled me.  It’s so nice to come to work in a place where I never have to worry about being discriminated against, offended, or sexually harassed. It’s not always like that in the “real world”.

The phrase that has really been getting to me lately is the prolific use of the phrase, “That’s so gay.” Have you heard people say that one? For instance, I was talking the other day about a bad customer service experience with an acquaintance. My acquaintance responded to my experience by saying, “That’s so gay.” At one point, this term was used as a school child’s taunt, but it’s now seemingly gained popularity outside the play ground. I’ve heard CEOs, pastors, and even university professors use the term flippantly, as if gay was synonymous with bad, stupid, or uncool. People seem to say it wherever they are - from corporate meetings to family picnics. More than 150,000 websites nationally use the phrase. Sadly, it’s become part of our shared language.

When I hear someone say it, I try to speak up. I’m not perfect, but I try to explain that such a comparison is hurtful and demeaning. Just as ELI^® courses give participants language to speak up in the office, I am hoping people find concrete ways to speak up in everyday life. Maybe I won’t be the only one asking those around me to guard their words and actions—even outside the office.