IS/IT manners?

Although my nominal topics are networking and security, there's something more fundamentally important that is commonly lacking in many workplaces, and in many forums: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

A lot of people spend time complaining about the inadequacies and incompetence of their colleagues. What I'd like to suggest (which won't cure the problem, but may cure some symptoms) is that when someone does something that seems hair-brained to you, ask them nicely (as if asking to be educated) "Gee, Joe/Sophie/whoever, I'm a little puzzled as to why you did "'such-and-such.' Would you mind telling me why?"

Now I can just hear the groaning..."What, me? Ask THAT idiot?" My key point here is that by treating your colleagues with respect, they will start to respect you. NONE of this takes place overnight, but if you bide your time and continue the practice, even the most difficult of your co-workers will start to respond, and start to pay attention to what you are saying. And who knows? You may learn something in the process.