Civility is polite, respectful behavior toward others, especially when you disagree with them or find them annoying. When you practice civility, you treat people with basic courtesy even if you don't like what they're saying or doing.

Civility doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone or pretend to like them. It means you control your temper, speak respectfully, and act decently. In a classroom debate, civility is listening when your opponent talks, not interrupting, and arguing against their ideas without insulting them personally. When your little brother is being irritating, civility is staying calm instead of yelling or calling him names.

When people treat each other with civility, they can solve problems together even when they strongly disagree.

You'll often hear adults talk about civility in politics or public discussions. They mean that people should debate ideas forcefully but without personal attacks, insults, or meanness. Civility keeps disagreements from turning into fights. It's the difference between saying “I think you're wrong about this” and “You're an idiot.” Both express disagreement, but only one maintains civility.