Baffling behaviours

Walking on the busy and bustling street daily, be it to rush to school or back to our comfortable homes, we often see certain social misconducts that will leave us disgusted, nauseated, and sometimes, angry. Teenagers today, came together to put in their opinions on some of the bad social encounters they’ve had, and they definitely have advises for all the members of the public.

Ngim Su Juen, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

I’ve always seen members of the public throw bits of tissue papers into the drains without further thinking. It’s like a natural reaction for them, and road rage is definitely common when I’m out with my family or friends. In school, we learn about giving and taking, but it’s definitely easier said than done. It’s ridiculous of us not putting into use what we have learnt, but then again, it’s not that easy to put these values in practice.

Koh Ze-Wen, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

I often see people spit everywhere, especially in the drains. No matter where I turn, this matter is always bound to pop up in my vision. Also, I’ve always felt bad for the service staffs that get scolded just for a second of delay. Customers often treat these service staffs as robots, and I find this situation deplorable, but I’m helpless in this matter.

Chua Ee Lin, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

When I was on a family trip to another country, I will see tourists and locals alike cutting the queue as though they have the rights to do so. This is because they’re often rude and loud despite being wrong towards others who came forward to correct their doing. In my opinion, such actions are a disgrace towards their country, as it had greatly pulled down my perception of their homeland. I won’t go forward to advise them, as I find that it will turn onto deaf ears.

Siang Jo Yee, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

Often I will see teenagers of my age spitting their chewing gums everywhere. Some mischievous ones will even stick the disgusting item onto benches and tables in parks, making unsuspecting members of the public victim of their cheekiness. Some drivers also throw their rubbish from the car window, despite the law that declared this action as an illegal action. I feel very uncomfortable and disgusted, but there’s nothing I can do, especially when I watch the events unfold in the car!

Pavitraa Annandan, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

Taking the lift is part of a busy city life, and in fact, there are actually certain mannerisms that one should follow. For instance, passengers of the lift should exit first before anyone else come in. But of late, I see people pushing their way into an already-packed elevator before the passengers even manage to step out of the small confinement. I often sigh as I find that these passengers aren’t really guided well enough on mannerisms in this aspect. They probably did not realise the wrong in their actions, but then again, one should always be considerate for others.

Goh Jie Xi, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

The most absurd social misconduct I’ve came across was one where a rude and inconsiderate being ‘kindly’ left their urine in the lift. Although I never see the culprit in action, the pungent smell definitely announced the crime that was conducted. It was a nauseating and disgusting incident, and thinking back I often wonder; why can’t those people think for others out there using the same space? If I ever come across similar situations right in front of my eyes, I definitely wouldn’t think twice to stop these misdeeds!

Peggy Nam Pei Qi, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

Last weekend I stepped into a buffet restaurant and was immediately thrown out of line by four haughty-looking ladies that begin cutting the queue in front of the food trays. A young man who tried to advise them was scolded harshly by the ladies, and an argument soon broke out. I find that those ladies are a bit too rude and that they lack in social etiquette we youngsters are being trained to have since young. I couldn’t do anything because the look on their face was enough to scare me back from my track!

Keshika Saravanan, 16 years old, SMK Infant Jesus Convent Melaka

I find that social misconducts happen daily, and the most recent one that I saw was in a restaurant where I went to have lunch. A couple requested for a glass of iced water from the waiter, but the waiter was too busy taking orders from the other customers. The couple soon got impatient and stormed off from the place. This kind of incident clearly shows how inconsiderate our community can be, especially since the restaurant only has one waiter in that section at the moment. Social mannerism should definitely be practiced, for the sake of a more considerate community!

Many might not realise what they’re doing is part of social misconduct, and therefore, awareness should definitely be raised and the public should be guided well, in order to ascertain that our nation will be one of good social etiquette and mannerism!

This article was published in the Newspaper in Education (NIE) pullout by The Star Newspaper, dated 26 September 2016