People today have just no consideration for others; they only look out for three people: I, me and myself. It’s so disheartening to be the one who is on the receiving end.
Consider my neighbours. It’s a family of four; the father works in the same company as me, the lady is a housewife and they have two little girls. More than once, I've suspected them of taking my newspaper when theirs doesn't get delivered. Recently, they had gone out of station for about 15 days and presumably, asked the newspaper guy not to deliver their paper since I only found one paper in the mornings in the ( common ) balcony.
After they got back too, I only found one paper. When I found it at all! Because for three days, I didn't find anything there. Nothing. Zilch. Zip. Nada. I figured the paper guy mustn’t have been coming. But I was proved wrong when on Sunday, there was a knock on my door soon after I woke up. I opened the door to see my neighbour standing there. He gave me Sunday's paper, which had obviously been read, and, get this, the paper for Saturday! He said, '...your paper..’, gave me a small smile and turned away.
I was still dazed from having just woken up and I smiled back and closed the door. It struck me later: 1. He never asked for my paper before reading it. 2. He never apologized for 1. 3. What was the point of giving me Saturday's paper on Sunday?
As a result of their kleptomania, I've had to start getting up early ( By over an hour. On freezing cold mornings when all I want to do is lie in the warm comfort of my blanket ) to get my paper before they do. Where's the justice in that I ask you?
Now take a look at the guy who lives in the room above me. He comes back from work late at night, sometimes past 0100, usually around 2300. In a brilliant flash of inspiration, he managed to leave his key ( or so he claims ) to the common door to the stairs at a friends place one weekend. So now I have to get out of my warm, comfortable bed and go down to unlock the door for him and lock it after him. But that's ok. It's not that big a deal. But one Sunday, he managed to get locked inside. Everybody had gone out and he woke up late to find that the common entrance was locked and he didn't have his key. So he had a friend from work call me and ask me if I could come. I felt sorry for him and so I went back. Luckily I wasn't that far from home. But it was still a favour. Of course, he only laughed about it when I got there. I should've just told him I was at my relatives' place and would only get back late at night. Serve him right then. Mumble mumble mumble. Grumble grumble grumble. Hm? Oh! Sorry! You still here? Hehe. :D
Both of us also go to the same place for dinner. The lady there sends over a packed dinner to your place if you ask her to. But only if you tell her in time since the carriers are sent off at around 2000. This gentleman, in his continuing genius, always calls me at 2030 asking if he would still be able to ask her to send it. And always I reply that it wouldn't be possible this late. Then I, in my contribution to world stupidity and philanthropy, offer to get it for him since I go there to eat. He always accepts. But that is alright too. I don't mind picking it up for him.
Now here's the thing. He managed to call the woman in time one day and his food was delivered. To me. Since he wasn't home. I don't mind collecting it on his behalf but the least he could do was call me and let me know that it was coming and whether I would mind collecting it. Basic courtesy, yes?
And finally, he borrowed a water bottle from me the other night since he had run out of it. And he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of returning it. I know it's a small thing but it's the small things that peeve me. I like my stuff in order and with me. I hate it if there's a return pending from someone.
None of these things are really too much or crossing a line. Except for the newspaper, that is, well, unbelievable. But I still feel that these are the basic good manners that one must have. We have to display some civility to live in a society. Some regard for others' feelings and maybe a little consideration. Thanking someone or apologizing are little things that go a long way to making people like you.
Consider my neighbours. It’s a family of four; the father works in the same company as me, the lady is a housewife and they have two little girls. More than once, I've suspected them of taking my newspaper when theirs doesn't get delivered. Recently, they had gone out of station for about 15 days and presumably, asked the newspaper guy not to deliver their paper since I only found one paper in the mornings in the ( common ) balcony.
After they got back too, I only found one paper. When I found it at all! Because for three days, I didn't find anything there. Nothing. Zilch. Zip. Nada. I figured the paper guy mustn’t have been coming. But I was proved wrong when on Sunday, there was a knock on my door soon after I woke up. I opened the door to see my neighbour standing there. He gave me Sunday's paper, which had obviously been read, and, get this, the paper for Saturday! He said, '...your paper..’, gave me a small smile and turned away.
I was still dazed from having just woken up and I smiled back and closed the door. It struck me later: 1. He never asked for my paper before reading it. 2. He never apologized for 1. 3. What was the point of giving me Saturday's paper on Sunday?
As a result of their kleptomania, I've had to start getting up early ( By over an hour. On freezing cold mornings when all I want to do is lie in the warm comfort of my blanket ) to get my paper before they do. Where's the justice in that I ask you?
Now take a look at the guy who lives in the room above me. He comes back from work late at night, sometimes past 0100, usually around 2300. In a brilliant flash of inspiration, he managed to leave his key ( or so he claims ) to the common door to the stairs at a friends place one weekend. So now I have to get out of my warm, comfortable bed and go down to unlock the door for him and lock it after him. But that's ok. It's not that big a deal. But one Sunday, he managed to get locked inside. Everybody had gone out and he woke up late to find that the common entrance was locked and he didn't have his key. So he had a friend from work call me and ask me if I could come. I felt sorry for him and so I went back. Luckily I wasn't that far from home. But it was still a favour. Of course, he only laughed about it when I got there. I should've just told him I was at my relatives' place and would only get back late at night. Serve him right then. Mumble mumble mumble. Grumble grumble grumble. Hm? Oh! Sorry! You still here? Hehe. :D
Both of us also go to the same place for dinner. The lady there sends over a packed dinner to your place if you ask her to. But only if you tell her in time since the carriers are sent off at around 2000. This gentleman, in his continuing genius, always calls me at 2030 asking if he would still be able to ask her to send it. And always I reply that it wouldn't be possible this late. Then I, in my contribution to world stupidity and philanthropy, offer to get it for him since I go there to eat. He always accepts. But that is alright too. I don't mind picking it up for him.
Now here's the thing. He managed to call the woman in time one day and his food was delivered. To me. Since he wasn't home. I don't mind collecting it on his behalf but the least he could do was call me and let me know that it was coming and whether I would mind collecting it. Basic courtesy, yes?
And finally, he borrowed a water bottle from me the other night since he had run out of it. And he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of returning it. I know it's a small thing but it's the small things that peeve me. I like my stuff in order and with me. I hate it if there's a return pending from someone.
None of these things are really too much or crossing a line. Except for the newspaper, that is, well, unbelievable. But I still feel that these are the basic good manners that one must have. We have to display some civility to live in a society. Some regard for others' feelings and maybe a little consideration. Thanking someone or apologizing are little things that go a long way to making people like you.
1 comment:
This is great
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