Politicians, business leaders and sports stars have been invited to take a crash course in good manners after fears that rising levels of rudeness are harming the Island.

The Bermuda Leadership Forum is concerned the Island's tradition of civility was in danger of being lost if steps weren't taken.

Its chairman environmentalist Stuart Hayward said a good example needed to be set at the top if Bermuda was to stop the rot.

Failure to do so could hit the Island's lifeblood of tourism and international business said Mr. Hayward.

He said: "One of the traditions we have been proud of in Bermuda is our civility.

"In fact, Bermuda's tourist industry got its head start because of our world-famous cordiality.

"A common thread of concern in Bermuda these days is the deterioration of attitude and respect in our dealings with each other.

"At every level of local society there seems to be a decrease in cordiality and an increase in rough dialogue.

"Conversations seem to contain more of name-calling, put-downs, ridicule, shouting, posturing and counter-talk with no one listening.'' He said Bermuda was not as bad as some places but it was time to intervene before it was too late.

"No matter what the reasons for worsening behaviour, the effect on all of us is the same.'' He called for people to stop the finger-pointing and get their own houses in order -- including those at the very top.

And Mr. Hayward said people needed to pay attention to the tone of voice, body language, facial expression as well as the words they chose.

He said: "There are also incidents -- not just a few -- where people in positions of power and influence have stepped over the line of good conduct.

"It is worth noting some of the behaviour our young people see and hear. They see their leaders (their role models) on the football field treating referees with disrespect and even violence.

"They hear abuses levelled at public figures, the Civil Service, the Police department. They witness employees treated disrespectfully.

"They read and hear media portrayal of community events in violent terms when no violence actually occurred.

He said leaders had a duty to act responsibly for their actions.

He said: "Whether we intend it or not, our behaviour in public arenas -- the sports fields, the talk shows, the marketplaces, in print and broadcast media, in the chambers of debate -- our conduct acts as a model and sets a standard for the rest of the community.'' He said the Bermuda Leadership Forum, which meets regularly to develop leadership skills, was hosting a discourse on Codes of Conduct for Bermuda's leaders on March 22.

"We're doing this to get the issue of conduct and cordiality on the national agenda.

"We're hoping to provide incentive for leaders and the community toward higher levels of respect and cordiality.''