And it is the result of plain bad parenting. Sadly, there is no racial or cultural difference here, it exists everywhere. In return they are rude, abusive and discourteous. They grow up expecting to be “served” in whatever their whim is. They are not learning any form of respect for anyone other than themselves. Some display horrific behaviour towards their maids and even their own mothers. True “manners” are nothing more fancy and elaborate, than the courtesy of not judging oneself to be above others, more superior or more important in any way.Ĭhildren, especially children here in Dubai who grow up with more affluence than most on the planet, are developing an alarming sense of “entitlement”. However, the basic premise of courtesy and manners is very simple and universal to all human beings. These differences do exist and are too numerous to mention. This leads, not only to misunderstanding, and, at times, resentment between people, but also to a generalised judgement of other cultures, which is often ill-founded. Those with Anglo-Saxon backgrounds use “please” and “thank you” with a frequency alien to other cultures, even within the Western world.įorms of courtesy relating to the treatment of the elderly, women and seniority amongst people at work or in the family are handled are culturally specific. When helped, they were taught to say “thank you.” Requests were expected to be preceded by “please,” if you could not hear or understand something “I beg your pardon?” - rather than “what?” - was in order.Ĭultural differences do occur here. Yet it appears to be a dying art – if not already dead.Ĭhildren were taught to greet their elders clearly, looking them in the eye. All that is needed is common sense and consideration for others. There need to be no elaborate “rules” adhered to. It costs nothing and helps our daily functioning work smoothly, enabling strangers to interact in a pleasant and effortless way. Politeness is such a basic thing – or it should be. Yet politeness and manners are nothing more than a manifestation of respect for other people. We have all, at one time or another, been at the receiving end of a tirade – either by parents, teachers, or older relatives about “our” manners.
Manners – the very word conjures up vaguely unpleasant associations.
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