View source for Wikipedia:Essays in a nutshell/Civility

{{Essays in a nutshell|WP:NUTCIVIL}}
:''See also [[Wikipedia:Essay directory#Wikipedia's code of conduct]]''

==General==
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! scope="col" width="20%" | Essay
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| [[Wikipedia:How to be civil|How to be civil]] 
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Offer constructive comments, forgive editors, be polite, and walk away if you have to.
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[[WP:HTBC]] 
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Accepting other users|Accepting other users]]
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Work cooperatively with other users and assume good faith. Wikipedia is a collaborative project.
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[[WP:OTHERUSERS]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:A nice cup of tea and a sit down|A nice cup of tea and a sit down]]
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A nice cup of tea and a sit down is, in the spirit of WikiLove, a chance to declare publicly what you appreciate about other members of the community or their contributions.
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[[WP:TEA]], [[WP:TY]], [[WP:SIT]], [[WP:COKE]], [[WP:COFFEE]]
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High
|-
| [[Wikipedia:An uncivil environment is a poor environment|An uncivil environment is a poor environment]]
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Being civil encourages others to be civil. Work towards building a civil environment.
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[[WP:UCEPE]],  [[WP:POOR]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Apology|Apology]]
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We all make mistakes. Don't be afraid to apologize, and remember to apologize with sincerity.
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[[WP:SORRY]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Avoiding difficult users|Avoiding difficult users]]
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Avoid interacting with users that are disruptive. Don't fight fire with fire.
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|| 
Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Behavior that disrupts dispute resolution|Behavior that disrupts dispute resolution]]
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In dispute resolution, don't make things worse than they already are.
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[[WP:BDDR]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Civility warnings|Civility warnings]]
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Be cautious when warning an editor for civility. Remember to remain polite and civil.
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Low
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| [[Wikipedia:Divisiveness|Divisiveness]]
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If content on your user page might be seen by some as "divisive", it is recommended that you may choose to expand the content in question.
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Enjoy yourself|Enjoy]]
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Editing should be enjoyable. Never let Wikipedia become a chore.
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[[WP:ENJOY]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Expressing thanks| Expressing thanks]]
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Polite messages, awards, or a nice cup of tea are all ways of expressing thanks.
|| 
[[WP:THANKS]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Honesty|Honesty]]
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Honesty is ethical and helps the project.
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[[WP:HONEST]], [[WP:DISHONEST]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:It's not the End of the World|It's not the End of the World]]
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If people disagree with you or revert your edits, it probably doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
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[[WP:WORLDSEND]], [[WP:EOTW]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Most people who disagree with you on content are not vandals|Most people who disagree with you on content are not vandals]]
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If someone is in a legitimate content dispute with you, don't call them a vandal.
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[[WP:HERRING]], [[WP:ADHOMINEM]], [[WP:DV]]
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Unranked 
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Nobody cares|Nobody cares]]
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Lack of action by others can mean lack of interest.
|| 
||
Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:No climbing the Reichstag dressed as Spider-Man|No climbing the Reichstag dressed as Spider-Man]]
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No Wikipedia editor may climb the Reichstag building dressed as Spider-Man in order to gain advantage in a content dispute.
|| 
[[WP:SPIDER]], [[WP:NCR]], [[WP:REICH]], [[WP:REICHSTAG]], [[WP:SPIDERMAN]], [[WP:Oh I say, what are you doing? Come down from there at once! Really, you're making a frightful exhibition of yourself.]]
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Top
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Only Martians should edit|Only Martians should edit]]
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Third party editors can offer new perspectives on a dispute.
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[[WP:MARTIANS]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Revert only when necessary|Revert only when necessary]]
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Discussion is often preferable to reverting. Avoid edit warring.
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[[WP:ROWN]], [[WP:ONLYREVERT]]
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Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Shouting things loudly does not make them true|Shouting things loudly does not make them true]]
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Insisting your opinion is correct without providing an intelligent explanation is the Wikipedia equivalent of shouting your opinion loudly until it is accepted as being true.
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[[WP:IMRIGHT]], [[WP:YOUREWRONG]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Thank you|Thank you]]
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Remember to thank editors. We all like to be respected, and we all deserve respect.
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[[WP:THANKYOU]]
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Low
|-
|[[Wikipedia:The grey zone|The grey zone]]
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If you've reached a point where you're not sure what to do, step back and take a break.
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[[WP:GREY]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:The Last Word|The Last Word]]
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In Wikipedia, sometimes debates get heated. Whenever this occurs, it is of [[irony|primary importance]] that you always ensure that you get The Last Word.
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[[WP:LASTWORD]]
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Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Truce|Truce]]
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When in a dispute, attempt to reach a compromise or declare a truce.
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[[WP:TRUCE]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:What were you thinking?|What were you thinking?]]
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Sometimes, other editors may be legitimately puzzled by your actions. It's usually in your best interests to explain your thought process.
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[[WP:WWYT]], [[WP:WWYT?]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not about winning|Wikipedia is not about winning]]
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Wikipedia is all about teamwork. Users must work together to build a reliable encyclopedia, not try to prove themselves to be "better" than others.
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[[WP:WINNING]], [[WP:WINNER]], [[WP:WIN]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Witchhunt|Witchhunt]]
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Accusations against other editors should not be made in the absence of any value in doing so.
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[[WP:WITCHHUNT]], [[WP:HUNT]]
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Unranked
|}

==Things to avoid==
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| [[Wikipedia:Do not insult the vandals|Do not insult the vandals]] 
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How to better deal with vandals: revert and ignore.
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[[WP:BNTV]], [[WP:DNIV]], [[WP:INSULT]] 
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Mid
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| [[Wikipedia:Don't accuse someone of a personal attack for accusing of a personal attack|Don't accuse someone of a personal attack for accusing of a personal attack]]
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Don't retaliate if accused of a personal attack. Return to the discussion of the issue at hand.
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[[WP:NPANPA]], [[WP:NPA2]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't be a fanatic|Don't be a fanatic]]
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Recognize that all Wikipedia editors are ultimately colleagues working together, listen with civility, and try to find ways to respect and (within Wikipedia policy limits) incorporate others' viewpoints and material as well as your own.
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[[WP:DBF]], [[WP:FANATIC]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't be an ostrich|Don't be an ostrich]]
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Assume good faith. Help other editors when they need help. Don't ignore them.
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[[WP:OSTRICH]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't be ashamed|Don't be ashamed]]
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Sometimes, an edit made in good faith does not comply to policy or consensus. Don't be ashamed of making mistakes.
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[[WP:SHAME]], [[WP:NOSHAME]], [[WP:ASHAMED]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't be inconsiderate|Don't be inconsiderate]]
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Do not be abrasive and inconsiderate. If people abided by this, we would not need any other policies about behavior.
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|| 
Unranked
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| [[Wikipedia:Don't be prejudiced|Don't be prejudiced]]
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Assume good faith and give every user a fair chance.
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Low
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| [[Wikipedia:Don't call a spade a spade|Don't call a spade a spade]]
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"Calling a spade a spade" means applying labels to an editor. Doing so is just going to cause the dispute to escalate, and turn out to be really embarrassing if you turn out to be wrong.
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[[WP:NOSPADE]], [[WP:DCASAS]]
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Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't call the kettle black|Don't call the kettle black]]
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The disruptive behavior of another editor is not an excuse for your own disruptive behavior.
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[[WP:HYPOCRISY]], [[WP:IRONY]], [[WP:POT]], [[WP:POTKETTLE]], [[WP:KETTLE]]
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Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't call the kettle black|Don't cry wolf]]
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Do not make accusations of harassment or personal attacks lightly.
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[[WP:WOLF]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't edit war over the colour of templates|Don't edit war over the colour of templates]]
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Don't edit war over the colour of templates. It's lame, and anyone caught doing it will be forced to use a monochrome monitor for the rest of his or her life.
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[[WP:DEW]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't feed the divas|Don't feed the divas]]
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Divas often storm off the project when they don't get their way. Let them go.
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[[WP:DIVA]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't fight fire with fire|Don't fight fire with fire]]
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Stay civil, even under the most intense flames.
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[[WP:FWF]], [[WP:FFWF]], [[WP:DFFWF]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't-give-a-fuckism|Don't give a fuck]]
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Don't-give-a-fuckism is the idea that attachment to things (articles, policies, AfDs, etc...) which are essentially beyond your control is a stumbling block to being a good Wikipedian.
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[[WP:FUCK]], [[WP:DGAF]], [[WP:DGAS]], [[WP:DAMN]], [[WP:RATSASS]]
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Top
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't lose the thread|Don't lose the thread]]
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Keep talk pages on track, use the correct talk pages, and get to the point.
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[[WP:TPTHREAD]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't panic|Don't panic]]
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Always keep an eye on yourself when you are involved in a dispute.
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[[WP:DON'T]], [[WP:PANIC]], [[WP:DONTPANIC]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't remind others of past misdeeds|Don't remind others of past misdeeds]]
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Do not criticize a repentant editor in good standing for past misdeeds that have stopped reoccurring. This is a failure to assume good faith and a personal attack.
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[[WP:ATONED]], [[WP:REPENTANT]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't shoot yourself in the foot|Don't shoot yourself in the foot]]
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Consider your own actions before bringing attention to the actions of others.
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[[WP:SHOT]], [[WP:BOOMERANG]], [[WP:PETARD]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't spite your face|Don't spite your face]]
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When faced with enforcing a solution that will predictably escalate the evident problem beyond present levels, back off and seek other, less inflammatory, actions to go about solving it. Even when acting in good faith, consider the gravity of the response that will result from your actions
|| 
[[WP:DSYF]], [[WP:NOSE]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't stuff beans up your nose|Don't stuff beans up your nose]]
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If you tell people not to do something, that may instead give them the idea to do it.
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[[WP:BEAN]], [[WP:BEANS]]
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High
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't take the bait|Don't take the bait]]
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Goading others into making uncivil comments is a common tactic. Don't take the bait.
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[[WP:BAIT]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Don't template the regulars|Don't template the regulars]]
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When dealing with experienced users, it is generally more effective to write them a short personal message than to apply a standardized template.
|| 
[[WP:DTR]], [[WP:DTTR]], [[WP:TEMPLAR]]
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High
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Just drop it|Just drop it]]
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If you want an argument to stop, stop arguing.
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[[WP:JUSTDROPIT]], [[WP:DROPIT]], [[WP:DROP]], [[WP:JDI]] 
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Flying under the radar|Flying under the radar]]
||
A common, but not well-known, strategy to avoid sanctions is to "fly under the radar" by seldom—if ever—actually talking with anyone on Wikipedia.
||
[[WP:RADAR]]
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Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:No angry mastodons|No angry mastodons]]
|| Don't get stressed out while editing; defuse stress when possible. Edit while you are at your best, not while angry, scared, or intoxicated. Be considerate of others in the community.
|| 
[[WP:NAM]], [[WP:MASTODONS]], [[WP:KEEPCOOL]]
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High
|-
| [[Wikipedia:No angry mastodons just madmen|No angry mastodons just madmen]]
|| With over 17 million Wikipedia editors, expect a wide range of reactions. The fight-or-flight response is good advice, to beware potential user confrontations.
|| 
[[WP:MADMEN]]
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Low
|}

==Things to do==
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| [[Wikipedia:Admitting you're wrong|Admitting you're wrong]]
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You can make friends and influence enemies on Wikipedia by learning when to admit you're wrong.
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[[WP:ADMIT]], [[WP:NEVERMIND]]
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Unranked
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| [[Wikipedia:Assume no clue|Assume no clue]]
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Assume that people don't know what they're doing before you assume bad faith.
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[[WP:ACLUE]], [[WP:NOCLUE]]
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Mid
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| [[Wikipedia:Assume the assumption of good faith|Assume the assumption of good faith]]
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When involved in a discussion, it is best to think very carefully before citing [[WP:AGF]].
|| 
[[WP:AAGF]], [[WP:FAITH2]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Avoid Parkinson's Bicycle Shed Effect|Avoid Parkinson's Bicycle Shed Effect]]
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Don't get hung up on minor details. 
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[[WP:SHED]], [[WP:BIKE]], [[WP:BIKESHED]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Avoid personal remarks|Avoid personal remarks]]
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Focus on editing, stay civil, don't make it personal.
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[[WP:APR]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Avoid rancor|Avoid rancor]]
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Do not do that which creates rancor amongst good faith contributors. 
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[[WP:RANCOR]] 
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Avoid the word "vandal"|Avoid the word "vandal"]]
|| 
Vandals are people who deliberately attempt to damage Wikipedia, not those who make adverse edits.
|| 
[[WP:ATWV]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Call a spade a spade|Call a spade a spade]]
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It's okay to call a spade a spade – to speak plainly – but remember to remain civil, and to stay focused on improving the encyclopedia
|| 
[[WP:SPADE]]
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Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Deny recognition|Deny recognition]]
|| 
Recognition is a motivation for vandalism. Trolls require food. Don't feed the trolls.
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[[WP:DENY]], [[WP:DNR]], [[WP:DNFTT]]
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Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Drop the stick and back slowly away from the horse carcass|Drop the stick and back slowly away from the horse carcass]]
|| 
If the debate has died, don't revive it.
|| 
[[WP:STICK]], [[WP:HORSEMEAT]], [[WP:DEADHORSE]]
||
Mid
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Encourage the newcomers|Encourage the newcomers]]
|| 
Help out new editors. Offer newcomers guidance and advice.
|| 
[[WP:ENCOURAGE]], [[WP:ETN]]
||
Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Get over it|Get over it]]
|| 
Don't get frustrated over a dispute. Get over it and move on.
|| 
[[WP:GOI]], [[WP:GETOVERIT]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Discussing cruft|How to discuss cruft]]
|| 
Many Wikipedians use cruft as a shorthand term to describe content that is inappropriate for Wikipedia. Because cruft is a real problem, efforts to identify cruft should be taken in good faith. In order to appropriately deal with cruft, editors need to be specific and back their assertions with Wikipedia's policy and guidelines rather than personal preference.
|| 
[[WP:TALKCRUFT]], [[WP:DISCUSSCRUFT]], [[WP:CRUFTISREAL]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:How to lose|How to lose]]
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Knowing how to "lose" a debate, with civility and grace, is sometimes as important as winning it.
|| 
||
Unranked
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Keep it down to earth|Keep it down to earth]]
|| 
Aim for workable solutions that have a realistic chance at succeeding.
|| 
[[WP:DOWN]], [[WP:EARTH]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Let sleeping dogs lie|Let sleeping dogs lie]]
|| 
If a minor editing issue can potentially lead to a prolonged dispute amongst editors, avoid picking the issue.
|| 
[[WP:LSDL]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Mind your own business|Mind your own business]]
|| 
If editors are in a dispute that has nothing to do with you, then mind your own business.
|| 
[[WP:MYOB]], [[WP:BUTTOUT]]
||
Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Restoring part of a reverted edit|Restoring part of a reverted edit]]
|| 
It is sometimes better to remove the content that is objectionable, instead of entirely reverting an edit.
|| 
||
Low
|}

==Types of interaction==

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| [[Wikipedia:WikiBullying|WikiBullying]]
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Threatening or intimidating other editors is not tolerated.
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[[WP:BULLY]]
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Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:WikiCrime|WikiCrime]]
|| 
Do not be disruptive. 
|| 
||
Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:WikiHate|WikiHate]]
|| 
Hate and anger are unproductive. Try to [[WP:LOVE]].
|| 
[[WP:HATE]], [[WP:H8]], [[WP:HATRED]], [[WP:H8RED]]
||
Low
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Wikilawyering|WikiLawyering]]
||
Do not utilize the rules in a manner contrary to their principles in order to "win" editing disputes is highly frowned upon by the Wikipedia community. 
|| 
[[WP:LAWYER]], [[WP:WL]], [[WP:LAWYERING]], [[WP:PETTIFOG]]
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High
|-
| [[Wikipedia:WikiLove|WikiLove]]
|| 
Love thy fellow editor.
|| 
[[WP:LOVE]]
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High
|-
| [[Wikipedia:WikiPeace|WikiPeace]]
|| 
Make Wikipedia a more peaceful place by being civil and polite.
|| 
[[WP:PEACE]], [[WP:WKP]], [[WP:☮]]
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Low
|}

{{civility}}

[[Category:Wikipedia essays about civility| ]]