About Me

I have done a lot of things in my life and have also worked in many different jobs to make a living and to experience life. This blog is just some of my musings, sometimes funny, sometimes inspirational, sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes simple but all the time, it's just me.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Courtesy is dead, long live Curtness

"Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Holding a door for a stranger, especially a woman or child.
Saying "Please" and "Thank You" often and with sincerity.
Giving up your seat for an old, ill or pregnant person in a bus or train.
Standing when you meet a person for the first time, and extending your hand openly in friendship.
Begging the pardon of others when you have unintentionally wronged or offended them.
Actively listening to the thoughts and ideas of others, and acknowledging with gratitude their willingness to share them with you.
Ignoring your cell phone when you are in a conversation with another.
Showing respect to your elders by using "Sir" or "Ma'am," if you are not already acquainted with them or you know it to be their preference.
Replying to emails, SMS messages or missed phone calls, even if it is a few days later or even if it is 1 week later especially if you are overseas.
Speaking kindly of others to people you, or they, do not know.
Many more courtesies, hardly ever seen now.
Simple hello, thank you and genuine love and compassion, gone.
Is common courtesy dead?
Being curt has become en-vogue.
The results surveyed cities, but curtness has become a Malaysian thing.
We no longer tolerate our neighbours, my neighbour once called us "bloody bastards".
We no longer say hello, we no longer care.
Courtesy is dead, I mourn my dear old friend.
Rest in peace and I will see you again,
this curtness in the world will kill us all,
before our time.

Take care and be well.

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