Q&A on Etiquette

PATRICIA

How, and when, has etiquette played a critical role within our collaborative  environment?

At every meeting.

Which key factors have affected the social behaviour of those within the group?

Barriers lessening through laughter and familiarity. Negotiations that are deeply acted out, subtleties in changes of thinking.

At any one time, has etiquette been crucial to a memorable situation?

The point at which we decided that we knew that the act of meeting (as a group), and the conversations/narrative that sprung from the group was the body of our purpose/our aim.

What would constitute as bad manners?

Domination of the listening space by one or too few people.

What behaviour is prohibited within our collective?

To insult someone, it has never been discussed but I would dearly hope that it never happens.

What rule/s would you like to see implemented within the social behaviour of the group?

That's a hard question. Total equality and respect for other peoples work.

Have any rituals become cemented within the etiquette of our meetings?

Yes, me saying it is week 16 for example. The making of drinks prior to the meeting. The ebbing down of the meeting after the main point of discussion debate, digression...

With creative freedom, how would you describe this collaborative act?

Intellectual buzz, having the freedom to move ideas in and out of your/my head and sharing the consequence.

KATE

How, and when, has etiquette played a critical role within our collaborative environment?

At first, when we're less familiar one another, but etiquette is general good manners? Ceremony

Etiquette = good manners + socially a little unfamiliar?

Which key factors have affected the social behaviour of those within the group?

Familiarity ( increasingly familiarity, less to explain, more at ease)

What would constitute as bad manners?

Not listening.

What rule/s would you like to see implemented within the social behaviour of the group?

I think that we are pretty much self regulating.

Have any rituals become cemented within the etiquette of our meetings?

Tea + talk.

With creative freedom, how would you describe this collaborative act?

Its growing – like sweet peas or something up a frame. That's a framework. It continues to be mutable but it's fairly firm + solid. Providing shelter and the framework support for umpteen ideas and projects. Flourishing non pejorative. Seems to be (getting) established, the plant life is taking root. Abundant blossoming, blooming *flourishing*

CRESSIDA

How, and when, has etiquette played a critical role within our collaborative environment?

Etiquette has a resonance of 'niceness', but I feel general common decency is probably key. It

always plays a role.

Which key factors have affected the social behaviour of those within the group?

When there hasn't been an accord, social behaviour has been 'peeked'.

At any one time, has etiquette been crucial to a memorable situation?

Yes

What would constitute as bad manners?

Not allowing others the right to differ, or express their opinions.

What behaviour is prohibited within our collective?

Slander, rudeness, ridicule.

What rule/s would you like to see implemented within the social behaviour of the group?

a) Listen

b) Allow freedom of error.

Have any rituals become cemented within the etiquette of our meetings?

Hard to say.

With creative freedom, how would you describe this collaborative act?

We're like the constituent parts of a functioning machine. A lumbering one, but a functioning one. I'm not so sure as to its purpose yet though.

MATT

How, and when, has etiquette played a critical role within our collaborative environment?

It plays a role on all occasions, but more so in the beginning. As the group becomes more familiar

etiquette will become less prevalent. There is a kind of British issue with not wanting to offend,

this definitely happens during the meetings. Etiquette can stand in the way of criticality which will

become a problem given the nature of what we are doing.

Which key factors have affected the social behaviour of those within the group?

As we have become more familiar our behaviours have changed. Collaborative practise has struck

me as a big factor for some as they haven’t worked in that way previously. Similarly some of the

ideas have played a similar role in shaking thing up.

At any one time, has etiquette been crucial to a memorable situation?

Nothing really stands out for me, It will be an interesting occasion when etiquette gets thrown out

of the window and one of us offends someone.

What would constitute as bad manners?

Claiming something created as part of the collaboration as the property of an individual.

What behaviour is prohibited within our collective?

Most things are fair game. What would be prohibited is not respecting/prohibiting other participants right to play an equal part in the collective should they choose to exercise that right.

But this issue could also be explored through the collective, it would have to be done in an open

manner as a creative act exploring the prohibited behavior.

What rule/s would you like to see implemented within the social behaviour of the group?

I would like to see shifting rules, a rule ruling that no rules are permanent.

Have any rituals become cemented within the etiquette of our meetings?

Meeting in the space, Patricia announcing the week, being seated, circular seating arrangement.

With ultimate creative freedom, what analogy would you use to best describe this collaborative

act?

Thermoplastic

LAURA

How, and when, has etiquette played a critical role within our collaborative environment?

o Our initial use of etiquette was used tactically to reveal common ground that would ensure our desired outcome – to work together

o It was key in creating a space that people trusted – learned westernised protocol became the familiar language that teased out similarities and displayed familiar clues that didn’t alienate

o In no grand way it started with a common civility that we responded to

o In a base animal way we showed we meant no harm to each other [!?]

o We then expanded on this in a more sophisticated way to show how communication between us might enhance

o This behaviour acted as a familiar glue to hold the instabilities of people feeling their way into a situation

Which key factors have affected the social behaviour of those within the group?

o Learned social performance

o Common ground

o Shared curiosity

o Sharing lived experience

o Differences in lived experience

o Similarities in lived experience

o Sharing the experience itself

o The varying histories we bring

o Differing expectations

o Differing needs

o Learned protocol

At any one time, has etiquette been crucial to a memorable situation?

o When statements have come in seemingly left-field and we work to listen and respond with an openness that goes beyond our own viewpoint

o This is usually fruitful in unexpected ways

What would constitute as bad manners?

o Blanket criticism of another’s work or idea

o Responding with disregard for another’s [anything]

o Dismissing another’s view

o Incessant over-talking and interruption

What behaviour is prohibited within our collective?

o Ugly nasty

What rule/s would you like to see implemented within the social behaviour of the group?

o Open-ness, listening, clarity, honesty, good humour, well-meant banter, an openness and curiosity to subject-matter, mindfulness of each-other’s needs, promotion of positive external dialogue about the group

Have any rituals become cemented within the etiquette of our meetings?

o That none of us bloody arrive at 4.30!

With ultimate creative freedom, what analogy would you use to best describe this collaborative act?

o Baboons tenderly grooming each other and occasionally showing off their arses.

CHIARA

How, and when, has etiquette played a critical role within our collaborative environment?

Always.

Which key factors have affected the social behaviour of those within the group?

Many people being involved.

At any one time, has etiquette been crucial to a memorable situation?

Eating food.

What would constitute as bad manners?

Mixing with the wrong crowd.

What behaviour is prohibited within our collective?

Smiling.

What rule/s would you like to see implemented within the social behaviour of the group?

Social behaviour.

Have any rituals become cemented within the etiquette of our meetings?

Tea, drinking, arguing.

With creative freedom, how would you describe this collaborative act?

The coming together of the norm.