There's a little bit of exaggeration with the title. What I mean by people of the past is people with proper manners and awareness of their surroundings and when I say "facing extinction" I really do mean it. Proper manners in this post does not mean to know which fork out of the hundreds of forks on your left and right to be used when eating chicken, no. Here, it is about holding the door for someone entering or exiting a store or building. Saying please when asking for something or assistance and thank you after receiving something or a service. Respect when someone older or more experience is talking or explaining something. By all means you have the right to speak out your mind and express your own opinions on certain issues but that doesn't mean you can just simply cut off a person when they are talking. It is not an arduous task to raise up your hand and say " Excuse can I ... ?" "We can also..." . Some people might allow you to speak your mind during their time while some will give you the opportunity to do so once they are done talking.
Since I have been in University for a year and a half now, I can actually see that people of such good manners and etiquette are facing extinction. Not just the state where I am studying but also in my own home town. One of the most obvious is that only a few people from what I have seen hold the door open for others to enter or exit a place. Not trying to brag but I DO hold the door open for other people be it at the Convenience store, class, library or even at the library. I don't understand how people that knows people are walking behind them can just simply push the door open and hastily enters the room so that they would not hold the oh so heavy door for others. It is kind of hysterical when you do it to your friends which I am guilty of doing a few times. But seriously, some people they can just let the door close in and smack the people behind them on the face. To be honest, I have received a lot of different and how you say unique reactions when I hold the door for some people. Its normal to receive a "Thank you" or a smile from someone when you hold the door or even the elevator for someone. I have seen ( I think ) it all. A thank you, whether it be the short thank you or the long thank you with rhythm and tune but there at times, I would get giggles or even laughter. Seriously. I am holding the door for you so it would not smack you in the face cause I seriously push the door wide open with great force. I am not doing it because I think you are cute ( cause you are certainly not ) or have a petty monkey crush on you. I am doing it out of honesty and kindness cause I know it will somehow in some way will help you. Most of the people that say thanked me for what I do are usually adults. MOST not all. This does not mean students or youngsters do not know how to be grateful.
Again, I am not doing it for the thanks or trying to show off to people that I am a gentlemen which I am certainly not ! But is it that difficult to say "Thank you" ? I can hear you saying "Kansahamnida" or "Anyeohasaeyeo" through out your visit to the place but a single thank you whether it is in your language or English is not heard at all. You are tired, yes I do understand that with bills to pay, deadlines, rehearsals, quizzes and tests. But seriously ? Saying it does not even burn calories ! Even a single smile or tilting your head to the side will also do. Not just with holding the door for someone but also when receiving informations. There has been countless of times when I am at the office and unintentionally ease dropping to what the fellow student next to me is talking ( asking ) with the staff about something. Not only did they not say thank you after receiving VALUABLE information but they also asked the question in a rudely manner. I usually make a face every time people do that. I would be standing in front of the counter asking the staffs about something and a girl ( or a guy ) would just come up and ask their questions to the staff in front of them. If there was an "Excuse me" or "May I ask" ( in your own language or dialect ) its fine. But if you ask with an angry bossy attitude, that is just plain rude. Not trying to involve the parents ( I have to actually ) but haven't your parents teach you to say " Please", "Thank You", "Excuse/Pardon me" ? Regardless whether you are in a hurry or not. I feel like before entering University a student should do a Manner/Obedience Etiquette test to see if they are eligible to enter a higher educational institution.
Moreover, there has been a lot of complaints on social networks ( where else ) where students do not respect other students in the library/study room/study hall . Back then when I was aged 8 or 10. Security would be walking around in the library, monitoring people whether they are disturbing others ( making noise, talking loudly, laughing ) or really studying. Now if they were studying or reading books quietly, they will never bother you but if you make noises, loud jokes and laugh hysterically like a mad men, they would either "Shsss" you or throw you out of the library. Cause seriously, the library is there for you to study, get further information about a topic. Not chit chatting with your mates or tell your other half you love them till the end. I am really really surprise that in University, people do so ( making loud noises, laughing, cracking jokes the works ). I don't even know who invented the "Library is a Cool Place to Hang Out" syndrome. You can talk in the library but must the whole campus know that you are frustrated with your boyfriend for not saying " I love you " after you were on the phone with him in the library ? Must you shout at your friend asking them the answer to question number 4 when they are 5 7 tables away from you? I honestly think that people that do so does not know the meaning of the word embarrassment and also selfish. Talking loudly, shouting and not caring what others think is NOT being yourself. You are actually being a target of negativity and getting glares and demonic stares from others around you. I have sat next to a course mate of mine once in the library and she would be shouting to our friends , teasing them about what our friend just tweeted and afterwards she would be all "Urgh people are just so annoying. I didn't do anything wrong, why are they glaring at me. Omg this is the library, study, read books don't stare at me". Yes my course mate is that dumb in a different level.
For finals, my friends and I have been visiting the study hall/room for countless of times since the space is not small so not many people can use it and also we thought it was more quieter since rude people are busy having a concert at the library. It was true. It was peaceful there....during daylight. But when the clock strikes 9 PM, this massive group of seniors of the same course would enter the room, with their Mc Chicken Deluxe, Slushies, Waffles, Fried Rice and the list just doesn't stop. At times, they would make a face and exit the door if there is not enough space for their clan. But when all of them are in that room, they act as if they are in a mixer or small gathering party. They would just ignore those that have their study mood on and laugh at stupid jokes, teasing each other, yelling at one another and so on. What is it with people not being able to respect others? Respecting others does not only refer to respecting those in a higher position or the elderly, it also means respect others when you are in the library by being quite and not make a scene or loud noises. Respecting others in the public toilet by flushing after doing your business. Respecting others at a fast food joint by not cutting in line. They would also have the nerve to say "Ooops, sorry for being noisy" when they notice us looking at them for being loud but 39 seconds later, they would repeat !
Cutting in line is another thing. I remembered one time when I was with my friend at this shaved ice stall and a group of girls would come by and just cut us in line. Without even looking at us. Behind me was 3 6 other people and when I took a peak, I can seriously see the anger on their faces. I too am feel with rage because my friend and I have been in line for 10 minutes and all of a sudden, these girls just skip in front of us throwing pixie dust around. Even my friend gave a disgusted look and snorted. Instead of murdering the girls in my head, I seriously did what any adult would do. " Excuse me, some of us have been in line for 10 minutes and it is really rude of you girls to simply cut in line of us" . All they did was gave a 'shock' face and when the owner asked what was going on, people behind me were yelling "They cut line" "Its not fair" . So the owner told them to go back of the line or they would not be serve. They put on a pretentious face and tried to be as genuine as possible and said sorry to everyone. Once I had gotten my drinks, I notice that the girls were pointing one another, blaming each other for cutting lines. I think they gave me the shock face cause I literally told them off in English cause I knew they would of just ignored me and gave me the cold shoulders if I told them in Bahasa. Not saying that English is more powerful though. I just feel like I had to do so.
This does not occur to most of us but it does to me. People being tardy for practice. I seriously cannot tolerate it. I am a junior myself so I don't burst into flames every time someone is late for practice. Its not difficult to have an early dinner or text the seniors that you are going to be late. If not, everyone would just be sitting on the floor, waiting for the 'divas' to arrive. It really does waste precious practice time. Do not complain about finishing practice late if you are unable to be arrive on time yourself.
This post is way over due. I have been meaning to do this post right after my holiday started but I was just too busy with work and also I forgot about doing it so I ended up making posts on other stuffs ( rants ) .
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