A Deteriorating Society: where social graces have become transparent

S-R

6 January 2010

Etiquette & Attitude

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While I waited for my train to arrive at its destination, in the midst of a very crowded carriage, a middle-aged woman behind me poked me in the arm without saying anything, and before I could turn around to ask her what she wanted, she pinched me. I winced in pain and finally alighted when the train hit my destination and gave her one of my death stares as she walked off as if nothing actually happened. A few days later, I began to observe the crowd around me, finding myself feeling rather intimidated by the behavior of both adults and teenagers alike. Whatever happened to saying, “Excuse me”? As I was utterly lost in my own thoughts, I spotted one of the train staff monitoring the platforms, ensuring the safety of the commuters. When the next train arrived, and commuters prepared to rush into the train before the doors opened, I heard her shout, “Please let the passengers alight first!” I stared in disbelief for a moment or two, before suddenly feeling ashamed. I was ashamed of my own kind, ashamed that we have to be TOLD to give way to other passengers, instead of doing so out of common courtesy.

As I recall the old days during which I had an incredibly painful but valuable childhood, I suddenly felt relieved and thankful to my parents for being extremely strict with me. As I flip through the newspapers everyday, I notice how much the whole world is changing. Children as young as nine committing crude crimes that I myself could not imagine, and people who couldn’t care less about others just to save themselves. Whatever happened to lending a hand to those in need?

The impact of morale education seems to have also lessened as the youths of today are now taking it for granted. Gone are the days where we give way to passengers in need. On the other hand, we also have passengers taking advantage of polite gestures by demanding for more without showing signs of being grateful. It seems that saying the magic words “Excuse me?” and “Thank you” mean nothing as people are now resorting to using silence to solve a problem.

Cruising down the road like they own it, I notice how teenagers are increasingly influenced by the media and the people around them. Picking on weaklings and challenging them to fights and talking in the most trashy language I have ever heard are just some of the common behaviors seen on today’s streets. When I looked back into the past, this was more or less rather transparent. Today, it has become more apparent as parents seem to have lost control over their own children. Parents let their children do whatever they want without giving thoughts to future consequences, only to put the entire blame on the media for bringing in bad influence on their children. Every time I read of such a report in the papers I cringe, utterly disgusted at how irresponsible some parents can be.

In the 21st Century technology plays a major part of our lives. We’re beginning to forget many things including what we were taught at a younger age. Everything is invented to make life convenient for us, but are we forgetting something of a much greater importance? Things like spending time with family and being useful to the society, while enjoying life at the same time. This has seemingly vanished as people nowadays are so concerned with monetary means that they are willing to forgo anything for the sake of money and fame. Today, we’re becoming superficial beings who are so caught up with our selves that we do not realize that adults are what most youths look upon as a role model. Role models have forgotten how much influence they hold over youths, especially young teenagers who are easily misled and how easily they can indirectly teach the young adults wrong values and principles.

Perhaps it’s time to sit down and reflect on ourselves, on how much we have been neglecting society. It’s undeniably factual that there will always be rotten apples, that we’re all imperfect people. We make mistakes in our lives, but to be negligent of the people around us because of our selfish thoughts and behaviors, is it something that we cannot change?

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