THE three magic expressions that everybody is taught to use liberally in day-to-day conversation or affairs-“Please”, “Thank You”, “Sorry”- appear to have gone missing from our culture of late. Those words represent a culture of politeness or humility, gratitude and remorse at having done something improper. But these are the very words that one does not come across as often as one used to until a few years ago. This is the grief the loud-thinker wants to share with everybody. Why have we come to such a pass? -- the loud-thinker wonders.

 

As he moves around the society, he comes across people in increasing numbers with no sense of gratitude or remorse or humility. The loud-thinker also feels sorry that the little children who used these words very wisely stop using those when they grow up into adults. How does this negative transformation take place? As part of his profession, the loud-thinker happens to meet many people in high places. All of them are achievers and have legitimate sense of high self-worth -- which is perfectly all right. But suspectedly, that sense of high self-worth gives some of them the idea of taking others for granted In such a mental state, words like “Please” and “Thanks You” and “Sorry” may not be found worthy of practical use. To an extent, this can be understood or explained, though not acceptable. But what about the general society in which a similar negative transformation appears to have taken place already? This very thought is disturbing, to say the least. In public places, on roads, or in Government offices or anywhere else, the use of these courtesy-words is seen becoming rarer with every passing day.

 

There is no sense of gratitude -- for something good happening -- or remorse -- for something one does improperly! Where has the general courtesy gone? -- the loud-thinker wonders! Another segment of our population -- that is of our youth -- also presents a picture that is pretty devoid of courtesy-words. Very rarely does one come across young people willing to use these courtesy-words as a natural practice and a habit ingrained in personality. The young people indulge in acts that are pretty infuriating to others. But they are remorseless. Many times, the larger society does something very good for the benefit of the youngsters but they rarely show a sense of gratitude. If the young people are so devoid of simple courtesies in the formative years, then how will they cope with the challenges of life later on? In fact, the courtesy-words have a magic ingrained within. Use those, and you will realise the power they embody. But for reasons not easily understandable, these are the very words missing from our daily lexicon. This is actually a cultural snag that we have developed in our individual or collective behaviour. No matter what, we need to find an answer why this has happened, and also find a solution to sort this problem out.