The following post was contributed by Kyle Herm in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
The book, which was a finalist at the 2010 National Indie Excellence Awards in the Social Change category, is based on Taylor’s real life experiences while traveling with her company, Not So Basic Training.
As owner and President of the consulting company, Taylor helps businesses reach their full potential and success. On a trip to speak at a conference in Florida she encountered a series of events and rude people that shocked her.
Taylor took careful notes of the experience and used it as the catalyst for launching a book about courtesy and manners in our society. Not So Common Courtesy explores the mind-boggling behaviors of some people when traveling, driving, and in personal interactions— to name just a few.
“I see it all the time in airports,” she said. “People seem to leave their courtesy behind when they travel. It’s shocking how some people can act in public. The best example is when someone argued with an airline employee about not being able to have four carry on bags.”
Taylor said she knew she wanted to write a book someday, but always thought it would be a fiction novel. However, as she experienced more incidents she figured it was time to put the stories together.
“Public spaces are the worst for me,” she said. “I was in a park and saw someone leave all their trash from lunch sitting on the bench. Who was going to pick that up? It’s hard to believe how some people act.”
The book’s success led Taylor to start thinking of new topics for a second edition and hopes to turn the book into a series,“I’m working on the second book now, with topics such as common courtesy at funerals and the DMV—I’m passionate about people being respectful and want others to think about how they can be more courteous.”
LINK: NOT SO BASIC TRAINING
LINK: NOT SO COMMON COURTESY