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What is your personal definition of the word, ‘courtesy’?
In simple words, I do feel ‘courtesy’ is being polite, giving respect to everyone around you and be a helping hand to those who seeks it.
What are your feelings after you found out that you are being nominated the “Most Courteous Student in RP”?
Was elated, but was wondering what made my facilitators to choose me as a courteous student.
Is this your first time receiving the award?
I received a merit award when I was in Primary 6.
Why do you think you have been nominated?
I was probably judged due to the respect given to the people surrounding me, meeting datelines when I was given certain duties to do, and I do always give a smile if anyone were to look at me.
Your thoughts of the courtesy in our youths/Singaporeans today based on your everyday life’s experiences?
Are they doing enough to help others?
Hmm, when I went for the courtesy award ceremony on 11 September 2007, there were a lot of students from primary school to polytechnics receiving the award. However they are still a handful of them. I personally feel that not many Singaporeans are practicing this. It is very hard to hear words such as ‘excuse me’, ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’ from the locals. Being a youth, I think we should be practicing this simple habit now. Little acts such as telling thank you with a smile when a cashier provides you with the food you ordered. However I do feel that youths these days are coming up to help others. For example, giving a sit to an elderly woman in the bus or train. But this is not yet visible. Not many are practicing acts of courtesy or rather kindness yet.
Any unforgettable incident(s) when you actually witness a truly unkindly/kindly behaviour?
Please share.
There was once when the whole row of passengers occupying the sits in the train ignored a pregnant lady who was standing right in front of them. I was standing there too. I was very disappointed with those Singaporeans. Some immediately fall asleep, some read books, some were playing with their handphones, and some just looked away. It all looked so fake, but no one managed to give a place to the poor lady.
I witnessed the most kindly behaviour when I was in India. Knowing that I was a foreigner, there was this lady who pulled me to her house and made me sit on one of their cleanest rags. They were poor and had very little or no money. However, she gave some money to her daughter and asked her to visit the shop to get me a drink. Knowing that they have got no money for the day itself, I refused to ask the girl any drinks. That was when I was wondering, ‘these people have very little, yet a lot to give’.
Any words of wisdom to other students on the need to be courteous to others?
Sometimes, it will just take a smile to be courteous, to feel good, to make
others feel good about you, even if others are angry or irritated by you, a
smile with an apology would change their mindset and they would forgive you
easily. You won’t loose anything, but you would gain a bright day.
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