Everyday Basic Courtesy

“Your daughter is so polite!” This is one common compliment we receive from people who have dealt with our daughter.

I don’t know if I should be flattered. Truth be told, I am more surprised because I expect kids to be polite in the first place. The words “please, thank you, excuse me, etc.” should be part of the everyday linggo. I believe that it’s one of the basic things that parents should teach their young ones. But then again if the parents don’t practice basic courtesy themselves, how can they teach the little ones?

Take for example, the other day I was going out of the door from my daughter’s pre-school when someone was about 10 feet behind me, I kept the door open for her(out of consideration that she had a toddler in her arms and the door will automatically slam shut if it’s not held). She just walked past me without saying anything. A simple “thank you” would have been great because I didn’t have to do it for her.

Another example, when my daughter was in a dance recital practice, she was accidentally hit by a toy snake that was being flung around by another toddler. My daughter got a red welt on her face. The mother saw it happen and she didn’t even come and apologise! To think that I knew she was a teacher. Just how hard is it to say, “I’m sorry”? Even if it was an accident, the least she could have done was acknowledge that something happened. I almost lost it and I told my daughter(in a very loud voice for the person concerned to hear) to sit on my lap because I am getting tired her getting hurt(the welt was a second offense, when my child was hurt the first time by the same kid, I let it go because it wasn’t that serious). It was my mistake that I didn’t confront the mother and tell her to better look after her child so she doesn’t hurt other kids. It’s good that I didn’t because I wouldn’t have controlled myself. I guess I just expected the mother to know better because she is after all- a teacher by profession.

“Good manners are the first mark of good breeding and reflect directly on a person’s upbringing. I have been given a very simple criterion for judging manners – good manners are based on consideration for other people. Tact, diplomacy and hospitality – all these are based on good manners.” -http://www.indianchild.com/good_manners.htm

I believe that applying basic courtesy in our everyday life shows our respect for the people around us. Despite the chaos in the world today, it reminds us that we are still part of a civilized society.