Should people be praised for doing the most basic things?

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   Express10posted 11 years ago

   Should people be praised for doing the most basic things?
   
   Is a parent a good parent for simply providing food, shelter, and clothing...what about everything else that is required of parents? Is an employee due a pat on the back just for showing up? Does a person deserve a pat on the back for never going to jail...I thought this was a basic thing that should not even have to be said, let alone praised.

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2. 71

   Alecia Murphyposted 11 years ago

   I think it depends. In current society, there are so many things that can easily derail a person from living an upright life however you are right- some things are expected you should go to school, avoid jail, and pay your taxes. However, I do feel for certain segments of society it is more of a burden to do these things- namely black males. But I feel like if everyone is given a fair shot to do well and are guided rightly by their parents and other important adults- this will become the rule and no longer the exception. Excellent question!

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      Express10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You too are right with expectations and it is totally wrong that a variety of people such as black men do not get a fair shake in life. Your point about the guidance and power of parents speaks volumes. So true.

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   dailytop10posted 11 years ago

   Good people deserves praise regardless how basic their acts of kindness are. Even a small manifestation of kindness can lead to big influential results.

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      Express10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You have a valid point DailyTop10. But if I hear once more that some guy that lives with his mom, hasn't worked since 2006, etc. is a great person because he's never gone to jail, I think I might scream. In that case lots of kindness, no results.

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   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   I think when someone does a good thing, even if it is the basic of showing up at work, an occasional pat on the back lets them know you appreciate them and their dedication.
   
   Kids also need to hear that staying the course of the straight and narrow is appreciated. You don't have to overdo it but everyone enjoys their efforts being recognized, however basic they are.
   
   I cook dinner almost every night, but I enjoy it when my family says a simple, thanks for dinner.

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      Express10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Saying thanks is different and should most definitely be said as a courtesy. However, praising a competent adult for adhering to company dress codes or showing up daily seems excessive to me, let alone giving certificates or awards for such basics.

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   Rose Anne Kareshposted 11 years ago

   I think the amount of praise due is related to the difficulty of the task for that individual. For example, I would feel mildly insulted if someone praised me for tidying up around my house because I am a competent adult, but I give my toddler lots of praise for her efforts to help clean up. I think part of the challenge is realizing how hard a task might be for someone; something that is easy for me could be really difficult for someone without the same advantages.
   
   Also, praise and thanks are not the same thing; I do appreciate thanks for cleaning up.

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      Express10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your comment about being mildly insulted for praise for tidying up really strikes a chord in relation to the question asked. I don't praise adults for doing the basics as if they were a child. Not to say I don't say thanks. I do & that's differen

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   cat on a soapboxposted 11 years ago

   I think the most important thing overall is to feel unconditionally loved and valued by one's family and friends. It really bugs me that there is over-concern for self-esteem in schools, etc. where kids get praised for just showing up. In the long run, this practice skews reality and sets kids up for major disappointment later in life when genuine effort and real talent DO count.

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      Express10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'll keep this short and sweet. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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   peachpurpleposted 11 years ago

   not every boss would pat on the back of his employees, he would do it on those apple eye employee only. It would be nice to have a boss to  praise all the employees for turning u early for work and off work. Parents should also praise children for washing the dishes and finishing their meals. A good way to encourage good habits.

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   Old Empresarioposted 11 years ago

   I think it's always better to appraise people's performance than to simply praise it. By this I mean you should tell someone, "you certainly get your kids to school on time; you dress them well; and you always make sure they're fed". In this case, you're not praising them. You're simply stating facts. In many ways, this is a much more polite and observant compliment than saying, "Good job! You're parent of the year!". Such a statement has not been qualified and may even be taken the wrong way. You can tell an employee, "You're here every day on time". Again, that's stating a fact and showing encouraging acknowledgement. That's not complimenting someone directly and obscurely by saying, "You're doing a great job". By appraising people instead of praising them, you're killing two birds with one stone. On one hand, you're acknowledging their efforts and making them happy and willing to continue. On the other hand, you aren't praising them for doing things that they are supposed to do anyway.

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9. 84

   stricktlydatingposted 11 years ago

   I think common courtesy - praise - if only a please and thank you regularly - go a long way towards harmonious relationships, so I would say yes praise those around you for even the simple things

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    phillippeengelposted 11 years ago

    Although we grown-ups usually don't get praises for doing the most basic duties, such as earning a living and doing prosaic household chores, we will find that the world bereft of praises, but rather, full of sarcasms and spitefulness, is such a malevolent place that we don't ever wish to live in. We will never be happy with people who tend to taunt us. Children get a plenty of praises when they are still developing; but as they grow older, things have changed. You are vulnerable to bullies in colleges and in the workplace, and there is virtually no one to defend you. You'd have to deal with any criticisms along the way yourself, and there is no law which stipulates that people are to be praised, or else punishment will be dealt accordingly.

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    SunkistGirlposted 11 years ago

    I think the whole situation of the person needs to be taken into account. A parent just providing the basic physical needs of a child is great, BUT what about the emotional needs of the child? Praising a child for doing something simple and basic is vital to their self esteem and well being. The praise changes as the child grows and more difficult things are done or things done without being told. As people, we all need praise of some kind from others.
    
    If an employee is having an especially difficult time at home, personal life, maybe even at work, having that employee show up every day and do his/her job can be a great burden and struggle. Giving that employee a pat on the back for just being there can be a huge support and confidence booster. You never know when that simple act will be the "make or break it" action.
    
    For the person who struggles with making good choices and has been close to going to jail, praising for making a good choice and staying out of jail is a good thing. Again, comes down to being human and needing that positive support.
    
    My viewpoint is that positive reinforcement makes more progress than negative or no feedback. If I can praise my children positively on every little thing they do, they are happier, more co-operative, more wiling to help, and overall better in mental health.
    
    Think about you for a minute. If you do something, whether for praise or not, and someone gives you praise, how do you feel? Do you want to receive more praise? Do you like the positive and happy feelings that come with being recognized for something you did? Not everything needs praise, but when the moment hits don't hold back.

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