COURTESY HEALS THE SOUL

 



“One difference between savagery and civilization

is a little courtesy.”

Cullen Hightower

 

As we become adults, do we feel too uncomfortable – or too childish – to be a little courteous? I am referring to showing very basic gestures of courtesy – like greeting with smile or a ‘Hello’ or responding to a smile or a ‘Hello’… a ‘Thank You’… ‘I am sorry’… etc.

Well, parents and teachers emphasize on little children learning the basic manners and etiquette. But, whatever happens to them, as children grow into adults?

Take for example, when I send a relevant  message to my students or their parents… Does the courtesy demand, that they should acknowledge it?

But, I am left amused and annoyed when I notice the callous attitude of some of my young college-going students and their parents. I have to keep reminding them to acknowledge and respond to each of my messages.

I can understand, when the calls and messages are sent in bulk – when they are irrelevant for whatever reasons… Yes, we need to just ignore them, even block them.

But, the relevant messages and calls?



I meet this middle-aged, seemingly educated, man every day on my way. Every time, we crossed path, I used to greet this man with a smile and a ‘Hello’. But, he would not reciprocate, either with words or with a smile. Then, one day, I decided to just ignore the man. So, now, we cross our path as any other strangers do…

“All doors open to courtesy,” says Thomas Fuller. It means: “All doors remain closed for lack of courtesy.”

Now, “Why doesn’t someone smile or say a ‘Hello’?”… Why should we waste our time scratching our heads?

Every day, I gift our books – often, four to five of them at one time – to friends, relatives, visitors etc. There is my phone number, e-mail and other contact details… But, then…But, then… !

Courtesy demands a ‘Thank you’, Sir. Or, does it tell me to stop ‘giving’ just the way I stopped greeting that man with a smile and a ‘Hello’?

Some days ago, when I had visited my doctor at Hinduja Hospital, I had gifted him two of my books (One of them was a tribute book for my mom). He is a very senior Oncologist and a busy man. Just before going to bed, that very night, I was pleasantly surprised – and uplifted – to read a very long and encouraging feedback from this doctor!

Doctors heal their patients more with their gentle touch than their medicines… Yes, I strongly feel so.




Courtesy heals the soul, and it costs nothing. Still, we act so stingy and insecure – even ignorant – when it comes to using this currency of the soul...

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic’s: Pixels: 1. Mali Maeder  2. Chris Peeters 

Video: Alchemy Techno Solution

 

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