“Good manners will open doors where the best education may not”

Tell me, how many times have you caught a bus, or a train and just boarded without so much of a glance to the driver or train attendant (except to give him/her your pass or ticket).

Tell me, how many times did you say, “Thank you,” to the bus driver for taking you from A to B?

Tell me, how many times have you seen an older person or a disabled member of society coming and risen and given you their seat on the bus. Perhaps when your mother nudged you? Perhaps when you were prompted to do so by guilt?

When I was a young mother with my own two children, I vowed that if I taught them one thing in life it would be to have manners. To say a simple ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and to have, and show, respect and consideration for others and for their possessions. Well at times it was hard, but I believe I did that … and a  good job completed, because not only what they learnt through/from  me, they both now establish the same philosophy in my grandchildren – their own children,  Sadly, in today’s age and society, it doesn’t always happen and there are many times when I see people of various age groups behaving appalling to people in serving positions, and taking what they think is their right to act and talk to others … unfortunately it is a reflection of our Australian entitlement society!

But not here! Here on holidays in Vancouver, Canada, I was so utterly impressed by the courtesy and respect shown by the younger generation, even those a little older, and even those very little people, the young children, to not only the senior members of the community but also to the ’menial’ type workers simply doing their job always remembering to say, “Thank You”!

In our public bus transport these last few days, we have seen evidence of courtesy and respect in this country. Passengers all call out to the driver. “Thank you”, as they step off. They don’t know this driver. Probably never seen him before. The driver was simply doing their job transporting them from A to B, yet when they step off the bus a simple loud, “Thank you”, is called out. Today we even witnessed a child with his mum, possibly as young as 3 or 4 simply say “Thank you” when they alighted the bus at their designated stop. I was so impressed by this outstanding courtesy showed to others. It was simply part of their everyday occurrence!

Now, how many times have you seen while you are travelling on a public transport vehicle a disabled or senior or child/pram section allocated but yet, occupied by many youths or other able-bodied others playing with their phones, swearing, chatting to each other, completely oblivious to the pregnant lady standing there, or the senior person with a heavy bag or even a light bag, or a disabled person who actually needs that seat that was meant to be saved for someone just like them. And as a traveller, you watch that elderly person or senior or heavily pregnant woman hang on to the pole as the bus or train bounces along as they constantly risk losing their footing or grip. Does any one care? No. Not in Australia. Not in my experience anyway.

Sad!

Bu today, in Vancouver, another measure of restoring our faith in the younger society. We were once again witness to so much manners, courtesy, and respect for others. We were on our way back from the University of British Columbia (another story) and the bus was quite full. We ourselves were actually one of those sitting in the disabled priority seats and a visually impaired man with his guide dog enters the bus. Of course, we did the right thing, and moved to the other side but what was also amazing , all the way home back to the city centre,  the other passengers , university aged and younger, when they saw elderly or those passengers that needed a seat enter the bus, they stood without hesitation and gave them their seat, even for a homeless old man with all his belongings in a shopping jeep. It was so impressive, and it is sad to think that even though Canada and Australia were both influenced by British etiquette and manners, however we have so much to learn in our own country about respect and courtesy for others!

Oh, did I add that when Marc and I entered the bus, someone gave up their seat for us! Was it Marc’s silver hair that suggested he needed a seat, or was it that ‘homeless’ look?????