Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, and good society

 

It’s time to dust off the old soap box, clear my throat, stand tall, for I am Jen, hear me roar.

Not so much roar, but perhaps ramble about something that I have been considering. I spend a fair amount of time when I am out and about, walking. We don’t have a car, so it’s a good way to contemplate on the days thoughts. And as you walk about amongst society, you inevitably notice other people, how they act, and how people act towards them.

I don’t know if it’s because I am getting older, or if something is happening in our societies, but I have noticed a distinct lack of manners and consideration. This is just a wide statement, but so many people live in their bubble world, where they matter more.

I’ve noticed much of this from my children, and tales they bring back from school.

There are those that show so little disregard for others, and for their surroundings that it makes me sad. The examples of these are things my children see everyday at school. Dropping litter. Something so simple, and yet has such a detrimental effect. Why is it so difficult to keep rubbish with you until you find a bin? Why is it ok to drop it? And yet sadly, it appears to be more fashionable to do just that. My daughter was once carrying rubbish home with her, and her friend asked why she didn’t just drop it. My daughter said she wanted to find a bin, she didn’t like littering. The friend asked for the rubbish, and then dropped it to the floor without so much as a thought.

Another friend of my son’s, when asked why he does it, said that it was ok because someone was being paid to pick it up.

Near our local supermarket we have a MacDonalds. It’s frequented on a regular basis by a certain clientele. That may sound a little snobbish of me, but I’m afraid it’s something that stands out and is rather obvious. There are several bins surrounding the business, and yet every time I pass by to go to the supermarket there is the clearly recognisable packaging of “The Golden arches” strewn across the area. Saddening.

Another lazy and totally disgusting thing I note regularly on my walking about is the amount of dog poo on the paths. It’s revolting.

Consideration seems to be lacking in vast amounts in all kinds of areas. And I do wonder why. Are we just becoming so closed off from everyone else, with out heads down and our needs in our own lives that we forget it?

My daughter was upset on Tuesday this week. Something was bothering her about school. It was simply an issue with using the loos at school. She said she couldn’t use them because they are inhabited by certain groups of girls. Constantly. Apparently these girls even eat their lunches in the loos. And become menacing to others that want to use the facilities. Not only did I find this appalling, but startling. Why would you want to inhabit loos, never mind eat your lunch in their? And why would you claim that as your territory? How very odd. I also wondered why school was allowing this. But then that is another soap box moment.

Classrooms have become so disrupted now that sometimes my children’s education is being effected. A worrying fact.

What has happened to aspirations, and respect? Consideration and manners?

I hate to think of myself as a snob when it comes to these aspects. I know some of it could be construed as such, but really deep down I’m more of a hippy. I get upset when society starts falling apart. But I also feel anger, and frustration.

I find less people say excuse me, and thank you. Less people apologise.

Like anything is it only a matter of time before the swing of effect swings too far to one side and it has to bounce back? Or are we going to continue living this life with so much disregard. With the attitude of “I’m alright”?

I don’t expect everyone to be perfect, there is no such thing. That would be unreal. But surely it’s not too much to ask for a little more consideration and care. Manners and thought.

I’d just like to say at the end here, thank you to the kind elderly gentleman who let me on the bus before him today, even though he was there before me. It was very kind.

“Nothing is more noble than politeness, and nothing more ridiculous than ceremony.”

Taken from a proverb. Unknown author.

 

Image taken from Pon and zi